Siege of Donegal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Donegal
Part of the Nine Years' War
Donegal Abbey
Date August 1601 Location Donegal Result English victory
Belligerents
England Loyalists	Irish Alliance
Commanders and leaders
Niall Garve O'Donnell Conn O'Donnell  †	Hugh Roe O'Donnell

The Siege of Donegal was an important battle that happened in August 1601. It was part of a bigger conflict called the Nine Years' War in Ireland. During this siege, a Gaelic Irish army, led by Hugh Roe O'Donnell, tried to capture the town of Donegal.

Inside the town, the defenders were a mix of English soldiers and Irish fighters who were loyal to the English Crown. These loyal Irish troops were led by Niall Garve O'Donnell. The fighting lasted for about a month and was very intense.

What Was the Siege of Donegal?

The Siege of Donegal was a military event where one army tries to take control of a town or fort by surrounding it. In this case, Hugh Roe O'Donnell's army surrounded Donegal town. They wanted to force the defenders inside to surrender.

This siege was a key part of the Nine Years' War. This war was fought between Irish lords, like Hugh Roe O'Donnell, and the English Crown. The Irish lords wanted more control over their lands. The English wanted to fully control all of Ireland.

Who Was Involved?

• Hugh Roe O'Donnell: He was a powerful Irish chieftain from Ulster. He led the Gaelic Irish army during the siege. He was a strong leader who fought against English rule.
• Niall Garve O'Donnell: He was another Irish chieftain, but he chose to fight on the side of the English Crown. He led the loyal Irish troops defending Donegal. He was a cousin of Hugh Roe O'Donnell.
• English Troops: Soldiers from the Kingdom of England were also part of the defense of Donegal. They were fighting to keep English control in Ireland.

What Happened During the Siege?

The siege began in August 1601. Hugh Roe O'Donnell's army surrounded Donegal town. They tried to break through the defenses. The defenders, led by Niall Garve O'Donnell, fought back hard.

There was heavy fighting for many weeks. Both sides tried different ways to win. The attackers tried to storm the town. The defenders tried to hold their ground.

The Abbey Explosion

During the siege, a terrible accident happened. Donegal Abbey, a very old and important building, was destroyed. This happened because of an accidental gunpowder explosion. Gunpowder was used for cannons and guns during battles. This explosion caused a lot of damage and chaos.

What Was the Outcome?

Hugh Roe O'Donnell's army faced several setbacks during the siege. They were not able to capture the town. After about a month of fighting, Hugh Roe O'Donnell decided to stop the siege.

He then moved his army south to a place called Munster. He went there to join a much bigger battle, the Battle of Kinsale. This battle was a major event in the Nine Years' War.

After Hugh Roe O'Donnell left, the English forces used Donegal as a base. From there, they were able to capture another important town nearby, called Ballyshannon. This was a strategic victory for the English.

During the fighting, Conn O'Donnell was killed. He was fighting on the side of the English Crown.