Sack of Youghal facts for kids
The attack on Youghal happened on November 13, 1579. Irish rebel forces, led by Gerald FitzGerald, captured the town of Youghal. Youghal was an English-controlled town in Munster, Ireland. It was a target during the Second Desmond Rebellion. FitzGerald's rebels took over the town, killed many English soldiers, and looted the area. After this event, many Catholic civilians across Ireland faced harsh punishments.
Contents
Why Did the Attack on Youghal Happen?
After the First Desmond Rebellion (1569–1573), its leader, James FitzMaurice FitzGerald, left Ireland. He looked for help from Catholic countries in Europe. With support from the Pope, he planned to invade Ireland.
In July 1579, FitzMaurice's ships landed near Dingle. They had captured some English ships on the way. His forces set up camp at Dún an Óir, a fort also known as Smerwick. This started the Second Desmond Rebellion. Soon after, the English captured FitzMaurice's fleet.
The English government in Dublin declared Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond a traitor. Even though he didn't want to join the rebellion at first, he decided to support FitzMaurice's rebels. FitzMaurice was later killed in a fight in County Tipperary. Command of the rebel forces then went to FitzGerald.
How Was Youghal Attacked?
Youghal was a key English base in southern Munster. So, FitzGerald chose to attack it. His first major action as the new rebel leader was to lead his forces to Youghal. The rebels captured the town. They killed the English Army soldiers who were defending Youghal. FitzGerald also ordered some English officials to be put to death.
His troops then began to loot and burn homes in the town. A group of soldiers and townspeople tried to make a final stand at a town gate. But they were defeated and killed. One of FitzGerald's allies, MacCarthy Mór, attacked Kinsale, another English-held port. After Youghal was taken, much of the land around English areas in Munster was destroyed. People fled to the city of Cork to escape the violence.
What Happened After the Attack?
English forces, led by Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond, took Youghal back after a few weeks. Ormond believed the town's people had helped the rebels. He put Youghal's mayor on trial for treason and had him executed.
News of the attack on Youghal spread. Many Catholic civilians across Ireland faced harsh punishments. For example, when William Pelham took over rebel leaders' lands, he attacked the people living there. In Youghal itself, on March 28, 1580, a Franciscan priest named Daniel O’Neilan was executed. This happened on the orders of the military governor, Sir William Morgan. Later in 1580, after the Siege of Smerwick, English forces attacked the fort at Ard na Caithne and killed the soldiers there after they gave up.
The rebellion continued until the English Crown won in 1583. This led to the plantation of Munster, where English settlers were given land in Ireland. FitzGerald went into hiding in 1581 when the war turned against him. He was eventually found and killed in County Kerry.
Youghal became important again in Irish history in 1650. This was when Oliver Cromwell left Ireland from Youghal after finishing his conquest of the island. The town authorities restored the old gate in the 1800s.
See also
