Cathbarr O'Donnell facts for kids

Cathbarr O'Donnell (whose name in Irish was Cathbarr Ó Domhnaill) was an important Irish leader who lived a long time ago. He was part of the powerful O'Donnell dynasty from Donegal, a region in Ireland. He passed away in 1608.

His Life and Family

Cathbarr was the son of Sir Hugh O'Donnell, who was a leader of a region in Ireland called Tyrconnell during the time of Queen Elizabeth I (this was known as the Elizabethan era). His mother was Sir Hugh's second wife, a Scottish woman named Iníon Dubh.

Cathbarr had two older brothers, Donnell and Hugh Roe. They had a long disagreement over who would lead the O'Donnell family. Donnell died in a battle in 1590. After that, Hugh Roe became the head of the O'Donnells in 1592.

Cathbarr supported his brother Hugh Roe during a big conflict called Tyrone's Rebellion, which lasted from 1594 to 1603. Later, in 1602, another older brother named Rory took over from Hugh Roe. Rory decided to make peace with the English government, which was called the Crown. The next year, Rory was given the important title of Earl of Tyrconnell.

Cathbarr married a woman named Rosa O'Doherty. She was the sister of Sir Cahir O'Doherty, a lord from Inishowen. Sir Cahir had fought with the English during Tyrone's Rebellion, but he later started his own rebellion by burning the town of Derry.

Leaving Ireland

In 1607, Cathbarr and Rosa went with Rory and other Irish leaders on a journey known as the Flight of the Earls. They left Ireland and traveled to Continental Europe.

Sadly, the next year, Cathbarr and Rory both became sick with a fever and died while they were living away from Ireland. After their deaths, Rory's young son became the new leader of the O'Donnell family.

After Cathbarr passed away, his wife Rosa married another Irish soldier named Owen Roe O'Neill. Cathbarr and Rosa had a son named Hugh O'Donnell. Hugh grew up to become a Captain in the Spanish Army and served in his stepfather's army in a place called Flanders. He was killed in 1625 during a battle known as the Siege of Breda.