A History of the Nine Years War in Ireland


by Russell Shortt - Date: 2008-11-14 - Word Count: 257 Share This!

The Nine Years War in Ireland took place from 1594-1603 and was fought between the Gaelic clans of O'Neill and O'Donnell and Queen Elizabeth I's forces. The leader of the Gaelic resistance was Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone he joined forces with some of the Ulster lords who had been fighting to uphold their sovereignty and keep the English out of Ulster. O'Neill realised that there would be no separate policy for Ulster so he decided to involve the whole country in the war. O'Neill attacked moving columns and laid ambushes, the English forces attempted on numerous occasions to invade the province but each time were repulsed, receiving comprehensive defeats at Clontibret and Yellow Ford. These victories prompted uprisings throughout the country, assisted by mercenaries sent by O'Neill, the revolt developed into a national affair. In 1601, the long awaited Spanish expedition arrived in Kinsale, Co. Cork with a force of 4,000 men. O'Neill and O'Donnell marched south to join them. When the commander of the English forces, Lord Mountjoy, prepared to attack them, the Irish infantry arrayed themselves in the massive formations that the Spanish used to great success in the great Continental battles. However, the Irish had never fought in such a manner and proved ineffective, they were completely overrun and defeated in what became known as the Battle of Kinsale. Mountjoy's victory ensured the repulse of the Spanish invasion and the ultimate downfall of O'Neill, O'Donnell and their allies. This was the end of the Gaelic lordships, the Old Ireland world was finally conquered.


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Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source: http://www.exploringireland.net

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