Daniel O'Brien, 1st Viscount Clare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel O'Brien
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| Viscount Clare | |
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| Tenure | 1662–1666 |
| Successor | Connor, 2nd Viscount Clare |
| Born | c. 1577 |
| Died | 1666 |
| Spouse(s) | Catherine FitzGerald |
| Issue Detail |
Connor, & others |
| Father | Connor, 3rd Earl of Thomond |
| Mother | Una O'Brien-Ara |
Sir Daniel O'Brien, 1st Viscount Clare (born around 1577 – died 1666) was an important Irish politician and soldier. He was also known as Donal. He was a younger son of Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond.
Daniel O'Brien fought in several big conflicts in Ireland. He first fought against a rebellion led by Tyrone. Later, he joined the rebels in the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and the Irish Confederate Wars. He also stood against the English army during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. After these wars, he joined Charles II of England when the king was in exile. When Charles II became king again, Daniel O'Brien was made a Viscount, a type of noble title, in his eighties.
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Daniel O'Brien's Early Life
Daniel O'Brien was born around 1577. He was the third and youngest son of Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond and his second wife, Una O'Brien. His father was the 3rd Earl of Thomond, a powerful leader in Ireland.
His mother, Una O'Brien, came from another part of the O'Brien dynasty. The O'Briens were a very important Irish family. They were descendants of Brian Boru, a famous medieval high king of Ireland. Daniel's family was known as the Earls of Thomond. His mother's family, the O'Briens of Ara, lived in County Tipperary.
Daniel had at least six other brothers and sisters. His oldest brother, Donogh, would later become the 4th Earl of Thomond.
Education and Family Changes
Daniel's oldest brother, Donogh, was educated in England and became a Protestant. But Daniel and his other younger brother, Teige, were educated as Catholics. This was a time when religious differences were very important.
Daniel's father passed away in 1581. His brother Donogh then became the 4th Earl of Thomond. Daniel's mother died in 1589 at Clare Castle.
Fighting in the Nine Years' War
In 1598, a major conflict called the Nine Years' War began in Ireland. It was also known as Tyrone's Rebellion. The rebel leaders, Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone and Hugh Roe O'Donnell, marched south.
Daniel O'Brien was left in charge of his family's lands in Clare. His brother, the 4th Earl of Thomond, was away in England. In February 1599, O'Donnell's forces attacked Daniel's castle of Ibrickane. Daniel was wounded in the fight and taken prisoner by O'Donnell.
Marriage and Children
In 1600, Daniel O'Brien married Catherine FitzGerald. Catherine was the widow of Maurice Roche, 6th Viscount Fermoy. She was also the third daughter of Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond. Her father was known as the "rebel earl."
Daniel and Catherine had four sons:
- Donogh (died 1638). He married Elizabeth Dowdall but passed away before his father.
- Connor (1605–1670). He later became the 2nd Viscount Clare.
- Morrough. He died without having children.
- Teige.
They also had seven daughters, but not much is known about them.
A Knight and Politician
On July 1, 1604, Daniel O'Brien was knighted in Leixlip, County Kildare. This meant he was now called Sir Daniel O'Brien.
He was chosen to represent County Clare in the Irish House of Commons. This was part of the Irish Parliament that met from 1613 to 1614. In Parliament, he supported the Catholic candidate, John Everard, for speaker.
Later, in the Irish Parliament of 1634–1635, he took the place of his nephew, Barnabas O'Brien, 6th Earl of Thomond. His nephew had gone to England.
Irish Rebellion and Confederate Wars
Daniel O'Brien became a member of the Supreme Council of the Catholic Confederates. This group was formed by Irish Catholics during the Irish Rebellion of 1641.
In 1649, he fought against the Cromwellian forces in Clare. He surrendered Clare Castle on November 5 and Carrigaholt Castle on November 9. In June 1652, Daniel O'Brien surrendered at Ross Castle near Killarney. He was with Lord Muskerry. Daniel O'Brien was held as a hostage to make sure Muskerry followed the surrender terms.
Becoming a Viscount
When Charles II became king again in 1660 (an event known as the Restoration), Daniel O'Brien returned to Ireland. On July 11, 1662, King Charles II made him Baron Moyarta and Viscount Clare. A Viscount is a noble title, ranking below an Earl.
This honor was actually meant for his grandson, Daniel. The family estate was given directly to the grandson. Lord Clare, as Daniel O'Brien was now called, attended the Irish House of Lords. He was part of the Irish Parliament from 1661 to 1666. He passed away in 1666. His oldest living son, Connor, then became the 2nd Viscount Clare.
