Sir Fineen O'Driscoll facts for kids

Sir Fineen O'Driscoll (died 1629) was an Irish clan chief who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I. He was often called The Rover or Fineen of the Ships. He was a powerful leader of the O'Driscoll clan in Ireland.

He was married to Eileen, the daughter of Sir Owen MacCarthy Reagh, who was a very important leader himself. Fineen's oldest son, Connor, was the Lord of Castlehaven. His daughter Eileen married Richard Coppinger. Fineen also had another son named Fineen, born in 1585. His daughter Mary was taken by a pirate named Ali Krussa. He also had a son named Gilly Duff. Fineen was also connected to Donal II O'Donovan through marriage, and they often worked together.

The O'Driscoll Clan: Power and Wealth

The O'Driscolls were a very rich and strong clan. Their lands covered a large part of south Cork, including places like Cape Clear, Baltimore, and Castlehaven. They became wealthy from something called "black rent." This was like a payment for safety or a tax that foreign ship owners and crews paid to the O'Driscoll clan. They paid this money to use the clan's area for fishing and for preparing fish like herring.

If ships traded or fished in the O'Driscoll territory without paying, they were seen as breaking the rules. The O'Driscoll war galleys (which were fast ships) would then consider them fair game. Like other Irish and Scottish clan leaders of his time, Sir Fineen was expected to use the money he gained to take care of his clan members and their families. This meant providing them with food and other necessities.

Sir Fineen's Last Days

Sir Fineen passed away in 1629. He died in his main stronghold, An Clochán. This castle was located on an island in Loch Oighinn.