Rory O'Moore facts for kids

Sir Rory O'Moore (Irish: Ruaidhrí Ó Mórdha) was an important Irish leader born around 1600. He is famous for being one of the main people who started the Irish Rebellion of 1641. This rebellion was a big event in Irish history. Rory O'Moore was also known by other names like Sir Roger O'Moore or Sir Roger Moore.

Rory O'Moore's Early Life

Rory O'Moore came from a very old and respected Irish family. His family had been important in Ireland for a long time. He was likely born in County Kildare, at his father's home called Balyna, around the year 1600.

His uncle, also named Rory O'More, was a leader in Laois. He had fought against the English rulers. In 1556, Queen Mary I took away the O'More family's lands. She created a new area called "Queens County," which is now County Laois.

Many members of the O'Moore family lost their homes and lands. English settlers were given these lands instead. This was a very difficult time for the O'Moore family and many other Irish families.

Leading the 1641 Rebellion

Rory O'Moore became a key leader during a time of trouble in Ireland. He wanted to change how Ireland was ruled by the English. He planned a secret takeover of Dublin Castle in October 1641. This castle was the center of English power in Ireland.

O'Moore hoped to take the castle without fighting. He planned this with another leader, Connor Maguire, 2nd Baron of Enniskillen. Other Irish leaders in Ulster, like Sir Phelim O'Neill, were supposed to take control of forts and towns there. The plan was for Irish leaders to govern their own country, but still be loyal to King Charles.

However, their plan was discovered just one day before it was supposed to happen. So, the takeover of Dublin Castle failed. But Sir Phelim O'Neill had some success in Ulster. Rory O'Moore quickly brought together different Irish groups. He united the Gaelic clans from Ulster with the Old English gentry from Leinster.

In November 1641, the Irish forces surrounded the town of Drogheda. A royalist army came from Dublin to help Drogheda. Rory O'Moore was one of the leaders of the rebel army that stopped this force. They won a battle at Julianstown on November 29.

During the Irish Confederate Wars that followed, O'Moore helped bring Owen Roe O'Neill back to Ireland. Owen Roe O'Neill was a skilled Irish general who had been serving in the Spanish army. Rory O'Moore also helped make agreements with other important leaders like Inchiquin and Ormonde. These agreements aimed to create a stronger Irish alliance.

However, this larger alliance could not stop the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland (1649–53). This invasion caused huge problems for Ireland. Many people died, and the country suffered greatly.

The Irish historian Charles Gavan Duffy wrote about Rory O'Moore. He said that O'Moore, even as a private person with few resources, had a huge idea. He wanted to free Ireland from England. Duffy noted that O'Moore almost achieved this. For several years, England only held Dublin and Drogheda in Ireland. The rest of the land was controlled by the Confederation that O'Moore helped create.

Later Years and Family

Some historians believe Rory O'Moore died in Kilkenny city in 1642 or 1643. They say he retired after a battle in April 1642. He had helped start the Irish Catholic Confederation in Kilkenny.

However, other records show he was still active later. He had contacts with Inchiquin and Ormonde in 1647 and 1648. Some say he fled to an island called Inishbofin, County Galway after Galway city was captured in 1652.

A tablet on St Colman's Church on Inishbofin once honored him. It said he fought for his faith and country. It also said he escaped from the island disguised as a fisherman. He died shortly after, around 1653. People loved and respected him. They even had a saying: "God and Our Lady be our help and Rory O'More."

Rory O'Moore married a woman named Jane Barnewall. They had two sons and four daughters. His family's estate, Balyna, was passed down through his brother Lewis. Later, a descendant named Letitia, who was also related to Rory, married Richard Farrell. This Farrell family then took the name More O'Ferrall.

Rory's daughter Anne married Patrick Sarsfield. He came from an Old English Catholic family. Rory O'Moore's grandsons included Patrick Sarsfield, 1st Earl of Lucan. This Patrick Sarsfield was a famous leader in the Williamite War in Ireland. Rory O'Moore is also an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales, through his grandson William Sarsfield.

The Rory O'More Bridge in Dublin was named after him to honor his memory.

Arts and Culture

A film called Rory O'More was made in 1911. It was directed by Sidney Olcott and Robert G. Vignola. However, the film changed some historical facts. It set O'Moore's rebellion in 1798 instead of the 17th century. It also moved the story to the beautiful Lakes of Killarney.