Mary Stuart O'Donnell facts for kids

Lady Mary Stuart O'Donnell (also known as Máire Stíobhartach Ní Dhomhnaill in Irish) was an important Irish noblewoman. She lived in the 17th century and had a very adventurous life.

Early Life and Family

Mary was born around 1607 in London, England. Her father was Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell. Her mother was Bridget FitzGerald. Mary's father had to leave Ireland before she was born. This event is known as the Flight of the Earls.

King James I gave Mary the royal name "Stuart." In 1609, Mary and her mother returned to Ireland. They lived on the FitzGerald family lands in Kildare. Later, in 1619, they were asked to move back to England.

The King gave Mary a good amount of money for her future. She was then looked after by her grandmother, Lady Kildare.

Life in London and Escape

Mary lived in London for several years. Lady Kildare wanted Mary to adopt English ways. She also planned for Mary to inherit a lot of money. Lady Kildare wanted to arrange a marriage for Mary.

However, Mary did not like the chosen suitor. He was an Irishman who had changed to the Protestant faith. Mary might have also already liked someone else, Dualtach O'Gallagher. She started spending time with young Irish Catholics in London. These young people were unhappy with the situation in Ireland.

In 1626, Mary and some friends helped her relatives. They helped her half-brother Caffer O'Donnell and her cousin Hugh O'Rourke. These family members were being held because of land disputes in Ireland. After this event, Mary's identity became known. She was ordered to appear in court.

Instead, Mary decided to leave London. She dressed in men's clothes and carried a sword. She traveled to Bristol, a port city. A maid, Anne Baynham, and a young man, likely O'Gallagher, went with her. They were also disguised.

Adventures in Europe

In Bristol, people suspected Mary was a woman. She tried twice to sail to Ireland, but storms pushed the ship back. Finally, Mary and her companions left on a Dutch ship. They arrived in La Rochelle, France. Mary continued to wear her men's clothes.

In January 1627, Mary arrived in Brussels. Pope Urban VIII sent her a special letter of congratulations. But Mary soon had disagreements with her older brother, Hugh. She had never met him before. She kept seeking adventures in men's clothes. She also refused to marry another suitor, John O'Neill.

Hugh had hoped Mary's marriage would help bring peace. He wanted to unite the O'Donnell and O'Neill families. This was part of a plan to invade Ireland in 1627. Archbishop Florence Conry had arranged the marriage.

Mary's relationship with O'Gallagher became known in 1629. They decided to leave Brussels.

Later Life and Family

Mary and O'Gallagher arrived in Rome in 1630. People admired her there as the daughter of Rory O'Donnell. The Catholic Church gave them a place to live and money. They got married in Rome.

Mary gave birth to a boy in Genoa. In 1632, she wrote a letter saying another child was expected. Later, they moved to Austria. O'Gallagher became a captain in the Imperial Army. Sadly, he was killed in 1635 while fighting in the Thirty Years' War.

Mary's infant son also became sick and died soon after her husband. Mary was very sad and felt alone. She traveled around Europe again. Eventually, she settled in Rome. In 1639, she married a poor Irish naval captain. Not much is known about her life after this time.

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