John Connill facts for kids
John Connill (sometimes spelled Connell) was a soldier who served in Ireland in the late 1500s. He is remembered for his actions in County Donegal. His time there was part of a bigger plan by the English to bring Irish areas under their law.
Who Was John Connill?
We don't know much about where John Connill came from. His name might be an English version of an Irish name, O'Connell.
In 1589, John Connill was sent to the newly formed County Donegal. He went with soldiers from the Irish Army. The person who sent him was William FitzWilliam, the Lord Deputy of Ireland.
This mission was part of a plan by the English rulers, called the Tudors. They wanted to bring areas of Gaelic Ireland under English law. This was meant to reduce fighting and bring more order.
It's said that Connill got this important job by giving Fitzwilliam a bribe. The bribe was two gold chains. These chains were found from a shipwreck of the Spanish Armada in Ireland.
His Actions in Donegal
When Connill arrived, there was a disagreement among the O'Donnell dynasty. They were trying to decide who would rule Tyrconnell next. This was happening even though the current ruler, Sir Hugh Roe O'Donnell, was still alive.
Connill supported one of the people who wanted to be ruler, Sir Donnell O'Donnell. But Sir Donnell died in 1590 at the Battle of Doire Leathan.
Taking Control of Land
After Sir Donnell's death, Connill used the confusion to his advantage. He took control of a large part of western Donegal. His main base was at Donegal Abbey.
Connill's men, along with Humphrey Willis, the Sheriff of Donegal, started raiding across Donegal. They forced people living there to give them supplies and money. At one point, Connill even captured Sir Hugh O'Donnell. However, Sir Hugh was later freed by his cousin, Niall Garve O'Donnell.
His Downfall
In 1592, Hugh Roe O'Donnell returned. He had been held prisoner in Dublin Castle. When he came back, he forced Connill and Willis to leave Donegal.
Many people criticized Connill and Willis. They said that these English forces acted much like the Gaelic lords they were supposed to be controlling. Their behavior might have even helped cause the start of Tyrone's Rebellion in 1594.
