Red Hugh O'Donnell
Born in 1572, the son of Sir Hugh O’Donnell and great, great grandson
of Aodh Rua Ó Domhnaill, Red Hugh was famed for his imprisonment in Dublin
Castle in 1587 and his subsequent escape attempts in 1591 and 1592. Red
Hugh helped lead much of the Nine Years War, a revolt against English
occupation, from 1594-1603. The name Red Hugh was in the family for over
400 years and he was the last Chieftain of Tir Conaill.
Red Hugh had a crucial role in both the Battles of the Yellow Ford in 1598 and the Battle of the Curlews in 1599. But he was ultimately defeated at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601, having been deserted by his cousin Niall Garbh O’Donnell. Red Hugh led his army along practically the entire length of Ireland, often covering over 40 miles a day, to meet his Spanish allies.
Following this defeat at Kinsale and departure of Spanish forces in its aftermath, Red Hugh travelled to Spain in 1602 in a desperate bid to rally further Spanish assistance. It was widely rumoured at the time that Red Hugh had been poisoned by a hired assassin in 1602 by an English spy.
His brother, Rory O’Donnell, First Earl of Tyrconnell, succeeded him
as chief of the Clan O’Donnell.