Conn O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone facts for kids

Conn Bacagh O'Neill (born around 1480, died 1559) was a powerful Irish leader. He was known as the king of Tyrone. His Irish name was Conn Bacach mac Cuinn Ó Néill.

In 1541, Conn O'Neill traveled to England. He met with Henry VIII as part of a new policy. This policy was called "surrender and regrant." It meant Irish lords would give up their lands to the King. Then, the King would give them back with English titles. Conn became the first Earl of Tyrone.

Conn wanted his chosen son, Matthew, to inherit his new English title. But this plan caused a big fight among his sons. Another son, Shane O'Neill, became the main leader instead.

Conn's grandson, Hugh O'Neill, later became the Earl of Tyrone. He continued to work with the English Crown for a while. But later, Hugh led a major uprising called Tyrone's Rebellion. This rebellion, and later the Flight of the Earls, ended the power of many traditional Irish lords in Ulster.

Conn's nickname, "Bacagh," means "the lame" in Irish.

Conn O'Neill's Early Life

Conn Bacagh O'Neill was the son of Conn Mór O'Neill. His father was the king of Tyrone. His mother was Lady Eleanor Fitzgerald. Conn Mór O'Neill was killed in 1493 by his younger brother, Henry Óg O'Neill. Conn Bacagh later killed his uncle, Henry Óg, in 1498.

Becoming a Leader

In 1519, Conn Bacagh became the chief of the O'Neill family in Tír Eoghain. The English called these O'Neills "O'Neill Mor." This helped tell them apart from other O'Neill groups.

In 1524, a relative, the Earl of Kildare, became the King's representative in Ireland. Conn O'Neill agreed to support him. But Conn's loyalty was personal. He would give promises of support, but he did not always give hostages. Hostages were a way to guarantee good behavior to other English leaders.

Disputes with the Church

By 1534, Conn had some disagreements with the Archbishop of Armagh. Conn's followers raided the Archbishop's land in Armagh. They harmed the person in charge, Senekin McDugan. Conn also ordered church money to be paid to a clergyman who was not approved by the Archbishop.

The Archbishop warned Conn. He said Conn had six days to make things right. If not, Conn would also be declared excommunicated. This meant he would be cut off from the church.

Battles and Submission

Conn O'Neill joined forces with his relatives, the FitzGeralds. This group was called the Geraldine League. They wanted to bring back the FitzGerald family's power. They also wanted to stop King Henry VIII from changing the church in Ireland.

In 1539, Conn Bacagh and Manus O'Donnell attacked an English area called The Pale. As they returned with their treasures, they were caught. The English leader, Lord Deputy Leonard Grey, attacked them. This happened at the Battle of Belahoe. The O'Neills and O'Donnells were quickly defeated. They lost many men and all their treasures.

O'Neill traveled to London to submit to Henry VIII, the newly established King of Ireland. This was part of a major policy of surrender and regrant in which Gaelic lords formally acknowledged the Crown's authority.

In 1541, English forces invaded Tyrone. Conn and the Geraldine League were defeated. Conn then made his submission to the English. He gave his son, Phelim Caoch O'Neill, as a hostage. Sadly, Phelim was killed in early 1542. This happened just before Conn officially submitted to King Henry VIII.

Conn went to a special meeting in Trim. Then he traveled to England. He met Henry VIII in Greenwich. Henry made him the Earl of Tyrone for life. He also gave Conn money and a valuable gold chain. Conn became a royal advisor in Ireland. He also received land near the Pale.

Family Conflicts

Conn named his son, Matthew, as his heir to the English titles. Matthew was also called Ferdoragh. He became the Baron of Dungannon. This decision made Conn's other sons very angry.

Shane, Conn's oldest surviving son, felt he should be the heir. This was according to Irish custom. So, Shane went to war with his brother Matthew. Matthew was killed in 1558. Conn Bacagh died a year later.

The next heir by English law was Matthew's son, Brian. But Brian was killed in 1562 by his relative, Turlough Lynagh O'Neill. After Brian's death, the English protected Matthew's last surviving son, Hugh O'Neill. Shane, now the O'Neill chief, wanted to be made Earl of Tyrone. But the English refused. Shane was later killed in 1567.

Marriage and Children

Conn's grandson Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone.

Conn was married twice and had many sons. His first wife was Lady Alice Fitzgerald. She was the daughter of Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare. Their son was Phelim Caoch O'Neill. "Caoch" was a nickname for someone with poor eyesight.

His second wife was Sorcha O'Neill. She was the daughter of Hugh Oge O'Neill. Sources are not clear about who Shane O'Neill's mother was. Some say he was the son of Conn and Sorcha. Others say he was from Conn and Lady Alice Fitzgerald.

Conn also had a son named Matthew, or Ferdocha. Conn chose Matthew to be his heir for the English titles. Matthew became the Baron of Dungannon when Conn became the Earl of Tyrone. This caused a big conflict within the O'Neill family. It led to a civil war and Matthew's death.

Conn also had a daughter who married Sorley Boy MacDonnell. This man later played a part in the death of Shane O'Neill. Conn's family spread throughout Ireland, Scotland, Europe, and the New World. Many families today can trace their family history back to Conn.