Oliver O'Gara facts for kids

Oliver O'Gara was an Irish politician and soldier. He lived in the late 1600s and early 1700s. Oliver O'Gara was a strong supporter of the Jacobite cause. This means he supported King James II of England.

Who Was Oliver O'Gara?

His Family History

Oliver O'Gara came from the Ó Gadhra family. They were an important family from Luighne Connacht in Ireland. Even after the Reformation, his family remained Roman Catholics. The O'Garas were well-known in County Sligo.

Oliver's father was Captain John O'Gara. His mother was Mary O'Conor. His grandparents on his father's side were Fearghal Ó Gadhra and Isobel Taaffe. Isobel Taaffe's brother was John Taaffe, 1st Viscount Taaffe. A Viscount is a type of noble title.

His grandparents on his mother's side were Cathal O'Conor and Anne O'Molloy. Cathal O'Conor was from Bellanagare Castle. Anne O'Molloy was the daughter of William 'Mor' O'Molloy. Oliver O'Gara was related to many important Irish families of his time.

His Life as a Soldier and Politician

In 1689, Oliver O'Gara became a member of the Patriot Parliament. This was a special meeting of Irish leaders. He represented County Sligo.

During the War of the Two Kings, Oliver O'Gara became a military leader. This war was fought between supporters of King James II (the Jacobites) and King William III (the Williamites). Oliver was given command of a new group of soldiers in the Irish Army.

His soldiers took part in a mission to capture the town of Sligo. This mission was led by Patrick Sarsfield. In 1690, Oliver O'Gara was in charge of the Jacobite soldiers at Jamestown. He successfully defended Jamestown against a much larger force of Williamite troops. These troops were led by James Douglas. Later, in 1696, O'Gara became the owner of a group of soldiers called O'Gara's Dragoons.

Oliver O'Gara and his soldiers fought in the very important Battle of Aughrim. This battle ended with the Jacobites losing the war. After the war, the Treaty of Limerick was signed. Oliver O'Gara was held as a hostage to make sure the terms of the treaty were followed.

Once the treaty terms were honored, he went into exile. He became one of the "Wild Geese." This was a name for Irish soldiers who left Ireland to serve in foreign armies. Oliver joined the Irish Brigade in the French Army. He was an important person at the Jacobite court. This court was where King James III lived in exile at Saint-Germain.

In 1727, James III gave Oliver O'Gara a special title. He was called Sir Oliver O'Gara and given a baronetcy. However, the government in Dublin never officially recognized this title.

His Family and Children

Oliver O'Gara married Mary Fleming. She was the daughter of Randall Fleming, 21st Baron Slane. The Flemings were a leading Old English family from The Pale. Mary had been married before. She had a daughter named Bridget from her first marriage. Bridget later married Randell Plunkett, 10th Baron Dunsany.

Oliver and Mary had five children together. All of their children were born in France. Three of their four sons became soldiers. They joined armies in different countries in Europe. His oldest son, John Patrick O'Gara, became a Brigadier in the Spanish army. His youngest son, Charles O'Gara, became an important person at the Austrian court in Vienna.