Battle of Lifford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Lifford
Part of the Nine Years' War
Date October 1600 Location Lifford, County Donegal Result English victory
Belligerents
England Loyalists	Irish Alliance
Commanders and leaders
Sir John Bolle Sir Arthur O'Neill Niall Garve O'Donnell	Red Hugh O'Donnell
Strength
c. 500	Unknown

The Battle of Lifford happened in County Donegal, Ireland, in October 1600. It was part of the Nine Years' War, a big conflict in Ireland. During this battle, a combined English and Irish force, led by Sir John Bolle and Irish chiefs Niall Garve O'Donnell and Sir Arthur O'Neill, took control of the important town of Lifford. Later, forces led by Red Hugh O'Donnell tried to get the town back, but they were not successful.

Why Lifford Was Important

Lifford was a very important place for a few reasons. It sits where two rivers, the River Finn and the Mourne, join to form the Foyle. This made it a key location for travel and control. It was also a traditional stronghold for the O'Donnell dynasty, a powerful Irish family.

Niall Garve O'Donnell's Change of Sides

Niall Garve O'Donnell was a rival to Red Hugh O'Donnell for leadership of the O'Donnell family. Until recently, Niall had fought alongside the Irish alliance. This alliance was led by Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone and Red Hugh O'Donnell, who was Niall's brother-in-law.

However, things changed when English forces landed at Derry in the same year. Red Hugh had left Niall in charge of the area while he was away raiding in Connacht. Niall then decided to switch sides and support the English Crown. Many Irish soldiers joined him. Red Hugh was extremely angry about Niall's betrayal. This anger led to a tragic event involving Niall's young son, showing how serious the conflict had become.

The Fight for Lifford

On October 8, the English forces, led by Sir John Bolle, moved to capture Lifford. As they got close, the thirty Irish soldiers defending the town set fire to the castle and left. However, most of the small town was not damaged.

Red Hugh's Attempts to Retake the Town

Red Hugh O'Donnell immediately tried to get Lifford back. His first attempt involved small fights around Castle Finn. About twelve people died on each side, but he couldn't retake the town. His forces then surrounded Lifford, hoping to starve out the soldiers inside. Red Hugh also got help from Scottish mercenaries, called redshanks, who his mother had hired for him.

The Battle Continues

Towards the end of October, the soldiers inside Lifford marched out to fight the forces surrounding them. Niall Garve led the cavalry (soldiers on horseback). During the fighting, he even fought Red Hugh's younger brother, Manus O'Donnell, in a one-on-one battle.

Even though Lifford was still sometimes attacked, the English and their allies kept control of the town for the rest of the war.

What Happened Next

The success at Lifford showed that the English strategy of making alliances with Irish leaders could work. Some people had doubted this idea. Niall Garve O'Donnell's decision to switch sides was one of several times powerful Irish figures in Ulster changed their loyalty. This slowly shifted the balance of power in Ulster.

Over the next two years, other important towns like Donegal (which Niall Garve helped capture) and Ballyshannon were also taken by the combined English and Irish forces. These captured towns became part of a "pincer movement." This meant English troops from Derry, Dublin, and Carrickfergus could push into the heart of the Irish alliance's territory in Tyrone.

After the war ended with the Treaty of Mellifont in 1603, Lifford remained an important town for soldiers. It was able to defend itself during O'Doherty's Rebellion in 1608, and soldiers from Lifford even helped put down that rebellion.