Matthew O'Neill, 1st Baron Dungannon facts for kids

Matthew O'Neill, 1st Baron Dungannon (also known as Matthew Kelly or Feardorcha Ó Néill) lived from about 1520 to 1558. He was an important Irish noble. Matthew was accepted by Conn O'Neill as his son. However, his half-brother Shane O'Neill challenged Matthew's right to become the next Earl of Tyrone. Matthew was sadly killed by some of Shane's supporters.

Early Life and Family

Matthew was born around 1510. His mother was Alison Kelly, who was married to a blacksmith in Dundalk. When Matthew was about sixteen years old, he was introduced to Conn O'Neill. Conn O'Neill accepted Matthew as his son.

Matthew's Family Life

Around 1536, Matthew married Siobhan. She was the daughter of Cú Chonnacht Maguire, a lord from Fir Manach.

Matthew and Siobhan had three sons:

• Brian (died 1562), who was also called Lord Dungannon. He was meant to be the 2nd Earl of Tyrone but was killed.
• Hugh (born around 1550 – died 1616), who later became the 3rd Earl of Tyrone.
• Cormac (died 1613).

Matthew also had another son, Art MacBaron O'Neill (died 1618).

Becoming Baron Dungannon

During the time of Henry VIII, the English king, a new policy called "surrender and regrant" was introduced. This policy allowed Irish lords to keep their lands if they promised loyalty to the King and adopted English titles. As part of this, Matthew's father, Conn O'Neill, was made the Earl of Tyrone in October 1542. Matthew was officially named as his father's heir and was given the title of Baron of Dungannon. Both Matthew and his father traveled to London to formally accept these titles from the King.

Conflict with Shane O'Neill

Matthew's half-brother, Shane O'Neill, did not agree with this plan. Shane had many more followers and was very powerful. He strongly disagreed with Matthew being named the heir. Shane's strong reaction ruined the English government's hope for a peaceful transfer of power. Matthew was killed by Shane's men in 1558. This happened just a year before his father, Conn O'Neill, passed away.

Shane O'Neill tried to convince the English Crown that he should be the Earl of Tyrone instead. He argued that Matthew was not truly Conn's son, claiming his real father was the blacksmith from Dundalk named Kelly. Shane tried to show that Matthew's claim was weak. He used both English law (where the eldest legitimate son inherits) and old Gaelic custom (where the strongest family member inherits). Shane did get some recognition as the leader of the O'Neill family, but he was never officially made an earl. Shane himself was killed by the MacDonnells of Antrim in 1567.