Sir Neil O'Neill, 2nd Baronet facts for kids
Sir Neil O'Neill (born January 1658 – died July 8, 1690) was an important Irish leader and soldier. He was the 2nd Baronet of Killeleagh in County Antrim. Sir Neil was a Jacobite, meaning he supported King James II. He was also the Lord of Clandeboye, which was a strong clan from the ancient Northern Uí Néill family.
A famous painting of Sir Neil O'Neill from 1680 by John Michael Wright is very important. It's the only picture we have from that time showing what a traditional Irish chieftain wore. In the painting, there's a Japanese samurai armor at his feet. This was a symbol of winning against unfair treatment of Catholics. Next to him is an Irish wolfhound, which is a symbol of Ireland itself.
Life of Sir Neil O'Neill
Sir Neil O'Neill was an Irish Catholic nobleman and a military leader. He was born in January 1658. His father was Sir Henry O'Neill, 1st Baronet of Shane's Castle, Killelagh. His mother was Eleanor Talbot. Sir Neil's uncle was Richard Talbot, who was a powerful leader and the King's representative in Ireland. Sir Neil came from a very old and important family of chiefs in Clandeboye.
In 1689, King James VII and II made O'Neill the Lord Lieutenant of Armagh. This meant he was the King's main representative in that area. Sir Neil led 800 Jacobite soldiers, called dragoons, at the Battle of the Boyne. This battle was against troops led by the Duke of Schomberg.
Sir Neil was hurt during the battle near Slane. He was first taken to Dublin and then to Waterford. Sadly, he died from his wounds on July 8, 1690. He was only 32 years old. He is buried in the cemetery of the French Church in Waterford. His gravestone says:
Here lyes the body of S. Neal O'Neill, Baronet of Killelag in the County of Antrim, who dyed ye 8th of July, in the year 1690, at the age of 32 years and six months. He married the second daughter of Lord Viscount Molyneux, of Sefton, in Lancashire, in England. Reguiescant in Pace.
Sir Neil O'Neill's Family
Sir Neil O'Neill married Frances Molyneux in either 1677 or 1683. She was the second daughter of The 3rd Viscount Molyneux. Frances and Sir Neil had at least four daughters: Rose, Mary, Elizabeth, and Ann. An Irish painter named Garret Murphy painted his wife and daughters around the year 1700. Rose married Nicholas Wogan, and Anne married John Segrave.
Because Sir Neil did not have any sons, his title as Baronet passed to his brother Daniel. However, the title was taken away in 1691. Daniel was able to keep many of the family's lands. But because Sir Neil had a lot of debt when he died, Daniel had to sell Killyleagh in 1703. Frances, Sir Neil's wife, passed away in 1732. Sir Neil also had a sister named Rose. She married Captain Con Modera O'Neill. Both Captain Con and his father, Colonel Con mac Brian O'Neill, fought alongside Sir Neil at the Battle of the Boyne.
