Elizabeth Dowdall facts for kids

Elizabeth Dowdall (born Southwell) was an important woman from Ireland who lived a long time ago. She was born around 1600. She became famous for bravely defending Kilfinny Castle in County Limerick. This happened during a big fight called the Irish Rebellion of 1641.

Early Life and Family

Elizabeth was born in England around the year 1600. She was the only child of Sir Thomas Southwell and Anne Harris. Her mother, Anne, was a well-known English poet. Her father's family came from a place called Spixworth in England.

Elizabeth's mother and father got married in London in 1594. Her mother's father, Thomas Harris, was a respected lawyer who was knighted in 1603.

Elizabeth's uncle, Edward Harris, moved to Ireland in 1608. He became a chief judge there. He helped Elizabeth's father get land in County Cork, Ireland. This was part of a plan called the Plantation of Munster. This plan involved English and Scottish settlers moving to Ireland to live on land that had been taken from Irish lords.

First Marriage

Elizabeth married Sir John Dowdall. He was a rich settler who lived in County Limerick, Ireland. They had five daughters together:

• Ann Dowdall
• Elizabeth Dowdall
• Jane Dowdall
• Bridget Dowdall
• Honora Dowdall

Some of Elizabeth's daughters married important people. For example, her daughter Elizabeth married Sir Hardress Waller. He was a famous soldier and politician.

Elizabeth's father, Thomas Southwell, passed away in Ireland in 1626. Her mother, Anne, married again to Captain Henry Sibthorpe. After a few years, her mother and stepfather moved back to England. Anne passed away in England in 1636.

Second Marriage

Elizabeth married a second time to Donough O'Brien. He was the oldest son of Daniel O'Brien, who later became the first Viscount Clare. Elizabeth and Donough were married by 1626. Sadly, Donough passed away in 1638 in Limerick, before his own father.

Defending Kilfinny Castle

In October 1641, a big uprising called the Irish Rebellion of 1641 began in Ireland. It started in the north and spread to other parts of the country by spring 1642. During this time, Irish rebels attacked castles belonging to English settlers.

Elizabeth Dowdall was living at Kilfinny Castle in County Limerick. When the rebels attacked, she bravely defended the castle. Stories say she even punished some of the attackers during the fighting.

It is not fully known what happened to Elizabeth Dowdall after 1642.

See also

• Lettice Digby, 1st Baroness Offaly, another brave woman who defended a castle during the same rebellion.