Felix O'Neill (died 1709) facts for kids
Felix O'Neill, also known as Phelim, and in Irish as Féilim Ó Néill (born in 1670 – died September 11, 1709), was an important member of the Clandeboye branch of the O'Neill dynasty. This was a very old and famous Irish family. Felix O'Neill is an ancestor of the current leader of this family's Catholic line.
Life as a Soldier
At the start of the 1700s, Felix O'Neill lost all his family's land and money in Ireland. This happened because of old rules that affected many Catholic families in Ireland at that time. Because of this, he moved to France.
In France, Felix O'Neill became a brave cavalry officer. Cavalry officers ride horses in battle. He took part in many fights. He joined a special group called the Irish Brigade, which was made up of Irish soldiers fighting for France.
He fought alongside the French army against the British, the Austrians, and the Dutch. This was during a very big war called the War of the Spanish Succession. Felix O'Neill died bravely in one of the most famous battles of this war, the Battle of Malplaquet. This battle happened on September 11, 1709, in a place that is now part of France.
Family Life
Felix O'Neill was married twice. His first wife was Catherine Keating. She came from a well-known family. They had one son named Conn (Constantine) O'Neill, who was born in Dublin, Ireland.
His second wife was Joan O'Dempsey. She passed away on April 17, 1722. Joan was the daughter of a nobleman called the Viscount Clanmalier. With Joan, Felix O'Neill had three more sons: Brian O'Neill, Thomas O'Neill (who died before 1756), and a third son whose name is not known today.
See also
- Irish nobility
- Irish kings
- Irish royal families
- O'Neill (surname)
- Uí Néill, the Irish Dynasty
- Ó Neill Dynasty Today
- O'Neill of Clannaboy
