#OTD in 1602 – “Red” Hugh O’Donnell dies in Simancas, Spain; evidence suggests he was poisoned by an English spy.

10/09/2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Red Hugh O’Donnell (Aodh Ruaidh Uí Dhomhnaill) is one of the most famous heroes of Ireland. He was viewed as the fulfilment of an old prophecy, and was imprisoned as a boy by the English who saw him as a threat. He escaped from Dublin Castle in 1591, in company with the sons of the […]

#OTD in 1022 – Death of Maelsechlainn II, the great High King of Ireland.

02/09/2023.Reading time 5 minutes.

Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, also called Máel Sechnaill Mór, Máel Sechnaill II, anglicised Malachy II, was King of Mide and High King of Ireland. His great victory at the Battle of Tara against Olaf Cuaran in 980 resulted in Gaelic control of the Kingdom of Dublin. Clann Cholmáin branch of the Uí Néill dynasty. He […]

#OTD in 1598 – Nine Years War | Battle of the Yellow Ford – Irish forces under Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, defeat an English expeditionary force under Henry Bagenal.

14/08/2023.Reading time 1 minute.

The Battle of the Yellow Ford was fought in western Co Armagh, during the Nine Years War. It was fought between the Gaelic native Irish army under Aodh Mór Ó Néill and Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill and a crown expeditionary force from Dublin under Henry Bagenal. The crown forces were marching from Armagh town to […]

#OTD in 1914 – Irish Volunteers during the Howth Gun Running.

26/07/2023.Reading time 9 minutes.

The plan was first conceived in April 1914, in response to the Curragh incident on 20 March. Many Irish believed that the British army could not be relied on to enforce Home Rule when it was enacted, and many Irish Volunteers also felt that availability of arms would aid recruitment. At a lunch attended by […]

The High Kings of Ireland

23/07/2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

The history of the High Kings of Ireland is one of the more significant parts of Irish history or culture. A High King of Ireland is a historical figure in Ireland, also known as an Ard Rí who claimed Lordship of the country. The list of High Kings of Ireland go back thousands of years, […]

#OTD in 1315 – The Irish annals state that Edward de Brus “took the hostages and lordship of the whole province of Ulster without opposition and they consented to him being proclaimed King of Ireland and all the Gaels of Ireland agreed to grant him lordship and they called him King of Ireland.”

29/06/2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

Edward Bruce landed in Larne, in modern-day Co Antrim, on 26 May 1315. In early June, Donall Ó Néill of Tyrone and some twelve fellow northern Kings and lords met Edward Bruce at Carrickfergus and swore fealty to him as King of Ireland. Edward held the town of Carrickfergus, but was unable to take the […]

#OTD in 1798 – Death of James Dickey, an Ulster Presbyterian barrister of the Society of the United Irishmen.

26/06/2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

Dickey was captured by the Sutherland fencibles on the Divis Mountain where he hid out. He was court-martialled and hanged at Corn Market, Belfast. Famously; before his hanging Dickey refused to wear a black hood saying to the hangman, “Sir, don’t cover my face!” According to local legend he shouted, “Don’t think gentlemen, I am […]

#OTD in 637 – The Battle of Moira is fought between the High King of Ireland and the Kings of Ulster and Dalriada.

24/06/2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

The battle was between Domhnall, High King of Ireland and Congal Cláen, King of Ulster. It is described as one of the most sanguinary in early Irish History. Congal had killed the King of Ireland in 628 but was defeated the next year at the battle of Battle of Dun Cethirn and Domnall became King […]

#OTD in 1798 – United Irishmen Rebellion | The Battle of Antrim.

07/06/2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

Henry Joy McCracken issued a proclamation calling for the United army of Ulster to rise. The initial plan met with success, as the towns of Larne, Ballymena, Portaferry and Randalstown (captured by James Dickey) were taken and the bridge at Toome damaged to prevent the government rushing reinforcements into Antrim from west of the Bann. […]

#OTD in 1972 – The Official IRA announced a ceasefire. This marked the end of the Official IRA’s military campaign.

29/05/2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

The official wing of the IRA in Northern Ireland announced a ceasefire, reserving the right of self-defence against attacks by the British Army and sectarian groups. However the Provisional IRA dismissed the truce as having “little effect” on the situation. The Northern Ireland Secretary, William Whitelaw, welcomed the move and a spokesperson said it was “a […]

Stair na hÉireann | History of Ireland

Tag: Ulster

#OTD in 1602 – “Red” Hugh O’Donnell dies in Simancas, Spain; evidence suggests he was poisoned by an English spy.

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#OTD in 1022 – Death of Maelsechlainn II, the great High King of Ireland.

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#OTD in 1598 – Nine Years War | Battle of the Yellow Ford – Irish forces under Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, defeat an English expeditionary force under Henry Bagenal.

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#OTD in 1914 – Irish Volunteers during the Howth Gun Running.

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The High Kings of Ireland

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#OTD in 1798 – Death of James Dickey, an Ulster Presbyterian barrister of the Society of the United Irishmen.

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#OTD in 637 – The Battle of Moira is fought between the High King of Ireland and the Kings of Ulster and Dalriada.

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#OTD in 1798 – United Irishmen Rebellion | The Battle of Antrim.

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#OTD in 1972 – The Official IRA announced a ceasefire. This marked the end of the Official IRA’s military campaign.

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