Battle of Belahoe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Belahoe
Part of the Tudor conquest of Ireland
Date 1539 Location Belahoe, County Meath, Ireland Result Lordship victory
Belligerents
Lordship of Ireland	Kingdom of Tyrone Kingdom of Tyrconnell
Commanders and leaders
Leonard Grey Gerald Aylmer	Conn O'Neill Manus O'Donnell
Casualties and losses
	400

The Battle of Belahoe (also known as Ballyhoe, or Irish: Béal Átha hÓ in Irish) was an important fight that happened in 1539. It was part of a bigger time in history called the Tudor conquest of Ireland, when England was trying to take more control over Ireland.

In this battle, two powerful Irish families, the O'Neills and the O'Donnells, fought against English forces. The English forces won, and the O'Neills and O'Donnells were defeated.

What Led to the Battle?

At this time, Leonard Grey was the Lord Deputy of Ireland. This was a very important job, like being the King's main representative in Ireland. Lord Grey was traveling around Ireland with his army. His goal was to make sure that everyone who had supported the Fitzgerald family (who had recently rebelled against the English King) would now follow the King's rules.

While Lord Grey was in the south of Ireland, near Cork, something else was happening. The O'Neills, led by Conn O'Neill, and the O'Donnells, led by Manus O'Donnell, were allies of the Fitzgeralds. They decided to raid an area called the English Pale. The Pale was a small area around Dublin where English laws and customs were strongest.

The Raid on Meath

The O'Neills and O'Donnells attacked towns in County Meath, like Ardee and Navan. They destroyed buildings and took valuable goods. The English forces in the Pale couldn't get ready fast enough to stop them.

However, Lord Grey soon heard about the raid. He quickly returned with about 800 soldiers to stop the Irish forces.

The Battle Itself

The O'Neills and O'Donnells were heading back to their own lands. They were carrying all the treasure and goods they had taken from the towns. But the English army, led by Lord Grey, caught up to them.

The two armies met at a place called the Ford of Belahoe. A "ford" is a shallow part of a river where people and animals can cross. This ford was about four and a half miles south of Carrickmacross. It was also on the border of what are now County Meath and County Monaghan.

A Quick English Victory

The battle was very quick. The forces of the O'Neills and O'Donnells were quickly overwhelmed by the English army. They suffered heavy losses, with about 400 of their soldiers being killed.

The Irish forces soon fled in a hurry. They left behind all the treasure and goods they had taken. Lord Grey and his army captured everything.

What Happened Next?

The victory at Belahoe was a big success for the English. It showed their power in Ireland.

One of Lord Grey's important commanders was Gerald Aylmer. He was later given the title of Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. For his brave actions and help in winning the battle, he was made a knight right there on the battlefield.

This battle was an important moment in the ongoing efforts by England to control more of Ireland during the 16th century.