Battle of Aura facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Aura |
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| Part of the Irish clan wars | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 MacDonnells of Antrim |
MacQuillans of the Route O'Neills of Clandeboy |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Sorley Boy MacDonnell |
Rory 'Oge' MacQuillan † Hugh O'Neill † |
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| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
The Battle of Aura (also known as the Battle of Slieve-na-Aura) was an important fight in the 1500s. It happened between the MacDonnells, led by Sorley Boy MacDonnell, and their enemies, the McQuillans and O'Neills. In the end, the MacDonnells won the battle. The name Slieve-na-Aura means Hill of Battle. Today, it is often spelled Slieveanorra.
Contents
What People Used to Say Happened
Long ago, people told a story about this battle. They said that Edward McQuillan attacked Sorley Boy's camp near Bonamargy. This happened on July 4, 1559. But Sorley Boy's men fought back hard. Edward's attack failed, and many of his men were lost. His brother, Roderick McQuillan, who was second in command, also died.
The McQuillans had to retreat. Sorley Boy chased them to their camp by the Glenshesk River. He attacked them again on July 5 or 6. Both sides lost many fighters, including another of McQuillan's brothers, Charles. The McQuillans retreated even further. They set up a new camp near Slieve-na-Aura. Hugh MacFelim O'Neill, a leader of the O'Neills of Clandeboy, arrived to help the McQuillans.
Crossing the Bog
On the night of July 13, 1559, the MacDonnells did something clever. They cut down tall rushes and spread them over a very wet, swampy area. This made a secret path across the bog. In the morning, a small group of MacDonnells went near the O'Neills' camp. The O'Neill chief saw them and ordered his horsemen to chase them.
The MacDonnells ran back towards their own camp, using their hidden path. The O'Neill horsemen followed them onto the wet ground. Soon, their horses got stuck in the bog. They tried to turn back, but Sorley Boy and his men cut off their escape. Hugh McFelim O'Neill supposedly offered a MacDonnell leader, Hugh MacIlveal, many horses and women for his freedom. But MacIlveal refused and killed Hugh McFelim O'Neill.
Turning the Tide
The leaders of Clan MacAuley and Clan MacPhoil arrived during the battle. They were supposed to help the McQuillans and O'Neills. But when they saw the fight, they just watched. Sorley Boy MacDonnell rode out to them. He convinced them to join his side instead.
With the MacAuleys and MacPhoils now helping, the MacDonnells pushed the McQuillans and O'Neills back. They drove them all the way to the Aura River. There, the McQuillans and O'Neills were finally defeated. Edward McQuillan also died during this battle.
After the Fight
Many bodies were left across the area of Glenshesk. After their victory, the MacDonnells went to the mountain of Trostan. This mountain looks over Cushendall. Sorley Boy MacDonnell was celebrated by MacAuley, who was the Lord of the Glens. A pile of stones, called a cairn, was built to remember this celebration. Near the top of Slieve-na-Aura, two cairns were said to mark where O'Neill and his men were buried.
What History Books Say Happened
Historians have a slightly different story about the Battle of Aura. They believe it happened in April 1583. At this time, many MacDonnell warriors were away fighting for another leader, Turlough Luineach O'Neill. The Mac Quillans thought this made Sorley Boy weak. They saw it as their last chance to beat the MacDonnells and take back their land, called the Route.
The Mac Quillans teamed up with Sir Hugh MacFelim "Bacach" O'Niall. They also had two groups of English soldiers helping them. These soldiers were sent by Captain Thomas Chatterton. The Mac Quillans launched a big attack on the northern glens. Their goal was to get revenge on the Scots (MacDonnells).
The Clever Trap
Sorley Boy gathered a small group of his own fighters. He made it look like his small force was threatening the main camp of the attackers. This camp was on a wide ridge near Slieve na Orra. The Mac Quillan and O'Neill horsemen and heavy foot soldiers were tricked. They charged at the small MacDonnell group. They thought the ground was solid.
But it was actually a deep bog! Their heavy horses and armor got stuck. The MacDonnells, who were lighter and faster, then attacked. They used swords and bows to defeat the stuck enemy. Hugh Mac Felim and Chatterton tried to run away. But they were hunted down and killed near the top of Orra. The third leader, Rory Oge MacQuillan, tried to hide on a small island in Loughgile. But a man named Owen Gar Magee swam to the island and killed him.
See also
