Calvagh O'Donnell facts for kids

Calvagh O'Donnell (Irish: Calbhach Ó Domhnaill; born around 1515 – died November 26, 1566) was an important Irish leader in the mid-1500s. He was the eldest son of Manus O'Donnell and served as the King of Tyrconnell. Tyrconnell was a powerful area in western Ulster, in what is now County Donegal. Calvagh was the chief of the O'Donnell dynasty, a very old and important family. He is most famous for his big conflict with another powerful Irish leader, Shane O'Neill. This fight even involved the English government, who sided with Calvagh.

Calvagh's Life and Rule

Early Conflicts and Becoming King

Calvagh O'Donnell had a disagreement with his father, Manus, and his half-brother, Hugh. To get help, Calvagh went to Scotland. There, he found support from the Campbell family. The Campbells had access to powerful cannons from the Scottish royal family. With their help, Calvagh was able to remove his father from power. He then became the leader of Tyrconnell, even though the area was quite divided at the time.

Facing Shane O'Neill

After Calvagh took control, his half-brother Hugh asked Shane O'Neill for help. Shane O'Neill was the chief of the nearby O'Neill dynasty. He wanted to become the most powerful leader in all of Ulster. So, in 1557, Shane O'Neill led a large army into Tyrconnell. They set up their camp near Lough Swilly.

Calvagh, possibly following advice from his father (who was his prisoner at the time), decided to surprise Shane O'Neill. His father remembered a successful night attack from years before. Calvagh attacked the O'Neills in their camp during the night. His forces completely defeated them. Shane O'Neill's army lost all their supplies and had to retreat.

Killydonnell Friary at the western shore of Lough Swilly where Calvagh and his wife were captured in 1561 by Shane O'Neill

Kidnapped by Shane O'Neill

After this victory, the English government recognized Calvagh as the rightful lord of Tyrconnell. However, in 1561, something terrible happened. Shane O'Neill captured Calvagh and his wife, Catherine Maclean. They were taken from the Franciscan friary of Killydonnell. Calvagh's wife, Catherine, had previously been married to the Earl of Argyll. She was held captive by Shane O'Neill. After her release, she later married Shane O'Neill.

Calvagh himself was held prisoner by Shane O'Neill for three long years. He was treated very badly during this time. He was even kept in a metal cage in front of Shane O'Neill's castle in Dungannon. In 1564, Calvagh was finally released. He agreed to certain conditions, but he had no intention of keeping them. He then traveled to England to ask Queen Elizabeth I for help.

Return and Death

In 1566, Sir Henry Sidney, acting on Queen Elizabeth's orders, marched to Tyrconnell. He helped Calvagh get his lands and power back. However, Calvagh died in the same year. His son, Conn, was still a prisoner of Shane O'Neill. Because of this, Calvagh's half-brother, Hugh MacManus, became the new O'Donnell chief.

Hugh MacManus had previously sided with Shane O'Neill against Calvagh. But now, he changed his mind. He joined forces with the English to defeat Shane O'Neill, who was a long-time enemy of his family. In 1567, Hugh completely defeated Shane O'Neill's army at the battle of Farsetmore near Letterkenny. Shane O'Neill lost 1300 men. He was forced to seek safety with the MacDonnells in County Antrim. However, they betrayed him and killed him.

Calvagh's Family Tree

In 1592, Hugh MacManus gave up his title to his son, Hugh Roe O'Donnell. But not everyone was happy about this. There was another branch of the O'Donnell family who felt they should be the chiefs. This was Niall Garve O'Donnell, who was the second son of Calvagh's son, Conn.

Niall Garve's older brother was Hugh of Ramelton. Hugh's son, John, became an officer in the Spanish army. John was the father of Hugh Baldearg O'Donnell (who died in 1704). Hugh Baldearg was known in Spain as Count O'Donnell. He led an Irish regiment as a brigadier in the Spanish army. In 1690, he came to Ireland. He gathered an army in Ulster to fight for James II during the Williamite war in Ireland. However, he later switched sides and joined William III, who gave him a pension.