Battle of Glentaisie facts for kids

The Battle of Glentaisie was an important fight in northern Ulster, Ireland. It happened on May 2, 1565. In this battle, Shane O'Neill won against the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. This conflict was part of a bigger struggle for power in northern Ireland. The English and sometimes the Scots were also involved. Even though the MacDonalds were a Scottish family, they had strong ties to the Irish way of life, not just Scotland.

Why Did the Battle Happen?

Who Were the MacDonnells?

The MacDonnells were a powerful family from Scotland. They had settled in the Glens of Antrim and along the north coast of Antrim. The English government worried about them. This was because the MacDonnells were more loyal to the Scottish king than to the English king.

Shane O'Neill's Power Grows

Shane O'Neill was a strong Irish leader. He had once teamed up with the MacDonnells. This alliance helped him challenge his own father, Conn Bacach, for control.

In 1558, an English leader named Lord Deputy Thomas Radclyffe tried to destroy the MacDonnell settlements. His efforts were not very successful. This led the English to make a shaky peace with the MacDonnells in 1560. They hoped to break the MacDonnells' alliance with Shane.

During this peace, the MacDonnells felt safer in their new lands. They started building projects. For example, they rebuilt Red Bay Castle, which was important for controlling the beach at Glenariffe.

Shane's Goals for the Battle

By 1564-1565, the MacDonnells were growing even stronger. Their influence was spreading along the eastern coast of Ulster. At the same time, Shane O'Neill had gained control over much of Ulster. He wanted to reduce the MacDonnells' power. This would remove a threat that the English had used against him. It would also show Queen Elizabeth I how powerful Shane was. He wanted her to recognize his leadership in Ulster.

How the Battle Unfolded

Shane Gathers His Army

Shane O'Neill gathered his army for the attack on the MacDonnells. They met at the tower house of Feadan near Newry. He had about 2,000 men in his army. His army included different types of fighters:

• 200 horsemen with 200 helpers
• 300 soldiers with guns (Culvers)
• 120 Scottish longbow archers
• 40 Scottish 'Redshank' swordsmen
• 250 Galloglass (heavy infantry)
• 550 Kernagh (light infantry with darts and short swords)
• Other heavy foot soldiers and cavalry

Shane's Fast Advance

The MacDonnells expected Shane's large army to take weeks to reach their territory. But Shane moved very quickly. He cut a wide road through the thick forest of Killultagh in just one week. This forest was near Lough Neagh.

Shane's army then reached Edenduffcarrick, a castle of the Clandeboye O'Neills. This is near modern Shane's Castle. Shane fortified an old fort there while waiting for more O'Neill fighters to join him.

MacDonnells Try to Stop Shane

Sorley Boy MacDonnell gathered a small force at Clough, in Antrim. He tried to stop Shane's army at Knockboy, a wooded pass. Sorley wanted to buy time for his brothers to gather more warriors from Scotland. They planned to bring these fighters by sea into the Glens.

But Shane quickly defeated Sorley's ambush. He took Clough and sent cavalry to capture James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg's new castle at Red Bay. They surprised the castle guards, burned it, and tore it down. This happened before James's army could land at the nearby beach.

With Shane's army controlling the landing beaches, the first MacDonnells and their allies had to land further north. They landed at Ballycastle beach. They waited for the local MacDonnell fighters led by Sorley Boy. They also waited for James's brother, Alexander, who was bringing more troops.

The Battle Itself

The Night Before

Shane O'Neill did not give the MacDonnells time for their reinforcements to arrive. His army kept pushing the MacDonnell forces back. They were driven past Ballycastle and away from the River Tow. This meant the MacDonnells did not have enough water for their army.

Both armies set up camp for the night. Shane's army camped in the center of modern Ballycastle, near the river. This gave them full access to water. The MacDonnell army, about 500 men, camped on higher ground at Ramon. They had only a small well for their needs.

The Surprise Attack

At dawn, around 3:30 or 4:00 AM, Shane attacked uphill. His heavy Galloglass infantry led a sudden charge. Shane skipped the usual exchange of spears and arrows. This surprised the MacDonnell army.

The MacDonnell leaders tried to rally their men. But after a short, confusing fight, they broke and ran. They fled over Knocklayd mountain towards Glenshesk. They were trying to reach the beach at Cushendun.

James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg was badly hurt early in the fight. His brother, Angus MacDonnell, was killed. He reportedly died while trying to hold off Shane's forces.

Shane's secretary, Gerrot Flemming, wrote about the battle: "We attacked them, and the fight was fierce on both sides. But God gave us victory. James and Sorley were captured. Angus was killed. Many others were killed, about 600 to 700. Few escaped who were not captured or killed."

The Capture of Leaders

The MacDonnells tried to escape by an old mountain road. They hoped to reach Cushendun beach. But they were finally stopped at a place called Legacapple. Both Sorley Boy MacDonnell and James were taken prisoner. James died from his wounds two months later.

Their brother, Alistair Og MacDonnell, had landed at Rathlin with 900 more men. But Shane's victory was so complete that Alistair could not do anything without a base on the mainland. Shane marched along the north coast to capture MacDonnell forts. He took Dunseverick and Dunluce within days. Alistair then returned to Scotland.

What Happened After the Battle?

Changes in Leadership

Brian Carrach MacDonnell, the younger brother of James and Sorley, gained power after Glentaisie. He allied with Shane and became the most powerful MacDonnell in the Glens. This lasted until Shane's death in 1567.

James of Dunnyveg died in captivity in July 1565. This left his sons, Archibald and Angus, as the official lords of the Glens. But Sorley Boy, who was James's manager, gained a lot of power. He was the only MacDonnell of his generation still living in Antrim after 1567.

Sorley Boy's Rise to Power

Sorley Boy led a long struggle for twenty years. He defended the Glens against other Irish clans and the English. He won a major victory at the Battle of Orra in 1583. This confirmed his authority.

Shane O'Neill's victory at Glentaisie actually helped Sorley. It removed his older brother James, who was the rightful heir to the lordship. Sorley Boy followed Shane's example. He refused English offers until he was strong enough to make his own demands.

In 1584, Sorley's nephews received recognition for their lordship of the Glens. But Sorley Boy held out longer. In 1586, he finally received official recognition for his claim to Ballycastle and the Route.

See also

• List of Irish battles