Fiach McHugh O'Byrne facts for kids

Fiach mac Aodha Ó Broin (also known as Feagh or Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne) was an important Irish leader. He lived from 1534 to 1597. Fiach was the chief of the O'Byrne clan and the Lord of Ranelagh. This was during a time when the English, led by Queen Elizabeth I, were trying to take control of Ireland. Fiach was known for his strong resistance against English rule.

Fiach's Home and Family

The O'Byrne family lived in the Wicklow mountains, south of Dublin. Their land covered a large area, about 153,000 acres. Fiach's family, the Ranelagh O'Byrnes, had a fort at Ballinacor in Glenmalure. They also had a castle nearby. Their territory included parts of County Wexford.

Not all O'Byrne families were against the English. Some branches of the clan worked with the English Crown. But Fiach's family was different. They were very independent. They had many skilled fighters and often raided English-controlled areas. This made them a constant challenge to English power in Ireland.

The English government tried to control the O'Byrne lands. But it was very difficult. Fiach and his family were good at getting official pardons. This meant they were forgiven for their actions, at least for a while.

Early Life and Challenges

In 1569, Fiach's father, Hugh, helped rebels during the Desmond Rebellions. Fiach, whose name means "raven" in Irish, was also involved. He helped Edmund Butler escape from Dublin Castle. Fiach was clever and skilled. He wanted to challenge English power in Ireland.

In 1572, Fiach was accused of being involved in a murder. English troops attacked O'Byrne territory. They burned villages and killed many people. Fiach escaped, but he lost two sisters and two foster brothers. In return, he led 400 men to raid villages in Wexford. He then returned safely to Glenmalure. Later, he handed over the original murderer. In exchange, he received a pardon and paid a fine.

Fiach also supported his brother-in-law, Rory Oge O'More, who led a rebellion in 1577. After O'More died, Fiach took in his son. He trained him at Ballinacor, which became a place for training fighters. Fiach kept in touch with other Irish leaders. He even helped one of them by getting rid of an important witness. The O'Byrnes continued their raids. In 1579, Fiach promised to be loyal to the English Crown. But these raids and pardons continued for some time.

Fighting the English

After becoming the O'Byrne leader in 1579, Fiach joined forces with James Eustace. This was during the Second Desmond Rebellion. In 1580, Fiach and the Kavanagh clan ambushed English forces. They burned a manor house and punished Irish families who had sided with the English.

Later in 1580, a new English leader, Arthur Grey, 14th Baron Grey de Wilton, arrived with 6,000 soldiers. He needed to stop the O'Byrnes from attacking Dublin. He planned to attack Fiach's stronghold in Glenmalure.

The Battle of Glenmalure

In 1580, Lord Grey led his army towards Glenmalure. He wanted to surprise Fiach's forces. Fiach had hidden his men in the rocky terrain. The English soldiers, wearing bright uniforms, struggled to move through the difficult land. They were attacked by Irish fighters. The English troops were defeated, losing many soldiers and valuable equipment.

Even after this big loss, Grey set up a military base nearby. But Fiach's raids continued, even reaching the areas around Dublin. Fiach suffered some losses, but he held his ground. He even demanded a pardon for another Irish leader and freedom of religion. Eventually, he accepted the English terms and received a pardon.

A Time of Peace and Trouble

For a few years, Fiach remained peaceful. He even welcomed an English judge to his territory. He gave his uncle and sons as hostages to the new governor, Sir John Perrot. Some of the hostages escaped, but Fiach quickly provided more.

In 1587, an English captain's wife warned Fiach that her husband was planning to capture him. In 1589, many O'Byrne hostages escaped. Fiach's loyalty was still questioned. He soon attacked Arklow Castle to get revenge for a personal wrong.

The Chase Continues

In 1592, Fiach helped another prisoner escape from Dublin Castle. Hugh Roe O'Donnell escaped and was guided to Glenmalure. From there, Fiach helped him return home to Ulster.

Fiach became quiet again for a while. But an English captain named Sir Thomas Lee insisted that Fiach was a traitor. In 1594, a new English leader, Sir William Russell, launched an attack. He drove Fiach from Ballinacor and set up a military base in his house. A reward of £150 was offered for Fiach's capture, or £100 for his head.

Fiach and his second wife, Rose O'Toole, were declared traitors. Fiach's son-in-law, Walter Reagh, burned a Dublin suburb. In response, a fort was built at Ballinacor. Walter Reagh Fitzgerald was captured and executed.

Russell continued to hunt Fiach. Fiach was hard to find and secretly worked with Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone. Fiach's wife, Rose O'Toole, was captured. She was sentenced to death but was spared because she agreed to give information to Fiach. She told him that his son Turlough was betraying him. Fiach handed over Turlough, who was then executed.

Working with O'Neill

During a break in the Nine Years War, Hugh O'Neill made sure that Fiach was included in peace talks. Fiach, who was old and sick, asked for a pardon for himself and his family in 1596. He knelt before the council in Dublin and was granted his pardon by the queen. However, he continued to work with O'Neill. He kept a force of fighters near the English-controlled areas.

Fiach retook the fort at Ballinacor. Attacks on English forces in Wicklow started again. He also joined forces with other Irish clans. Russell believed Fiach was even more capable than O'Neill. However, some members of the O'Byrne clan helped the English hunt Fiach. A new fort was built at Rathdown.

Russell continued to search the mountains. He crossed the bridge at Ballinacor ford in September 1596. Captain Lee burned a town called Fananerin. O'Neill complained about the attacks on Fiach. The English believed O'Neill was trying to distract them. So, Russell made a final push in March 1597. He marched through the mountains to Fananerin and Ballinacor.

Russell returned two months later, based on information from another branch of the O'Byrne clan. He was about to be called back to London. It seemed that defeating Fiach had become his main goal. On May 8, 1597, Russell's troops surrounded Fananerin. Fiach was with a few fighters, who were killed. He fled on foot but was exhausted. He sought refuge in a cave, where Captain Thomas Lee found him. Fiach was killed by Lee's soldiers. His head was cut off and presented to Russell. This was Russell's final success in Ireland. Lee later told Fiach's son, Phelim, that killing Fiach was not his choice.

Fiach's Legacy

Fiach's role in history has sometimes been overshadowed by O'Neill's actions in the Nine Years War. In June 1597, O'Neill attacked English forces in different places. He did this to get revenge for Fiach's death. Fiach's sons, Phelim and Redmond, continued to fight after their father died.

Phelim was put in charge of the Blackwater fort. In October 1597, the brothers returned south and continued fighting under O'Neill's orders. In 1599, Phelim had a success against the army of the Earl of Essex. The war ended with the Treaty of Mellifont. In 1606, Phelim and Redmond received grants of land that were left from their father's estate.

Fiach McHugh O'Byrne is remembered in Irish culture. Part of the Book of O'Byrne, a collection of Gaelic poems, was put together with his support. He is also celebrated in the song 'Follow me up to Carlow'. The Irish folk metal band Cruachan has a song called "The Marching Song of Fiach Mac Hugh" on their album Blood for the Blood God.

Images for kids

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  The O'Byrne family's coat of arms