Jim O'Neill
@jimoneillnyw.bsky.social
Historian of early-modern Ireland. Has a fondness for pillboxes and airfields that's not entirely healthy. Segued to WW2 somehow.
Pinned
Jim O'Neill
@jimoneillnyw.bsky.social
· Jan 25
Like Irish history? Like military history? Want a book with both where the Irish win at the end? Look no further. www.helion.co.uk/military-his...
OTD 1599 Conyers Clifford marched from Boyle to relieve Collooney Castle. Engaged in the Curlew Pass north of Boyle. He overran the Irish barricades, but the vanguard was shattered in a firefight. They panicked & fled, breaking the rest of the army. Clifford slain during the rout #nineyearswar
August 5, 2025 at 7:02 AM
OTD 1599 Conyers Clifford marched from Boyle to relieve Collooney Castle. Engaged in the Curlew Pass north of Boyle. He overran the Irish barricades, but the vanguard was shattered in a firefight. They panicked & fled, breaking the rest of the army. Clifford slain during the rout #nineyearswar
Tyrone's daughters married into Irish and Scots nobility. Alice married Randal MacDonnell, one of whose descendants was Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, mother to Q. Elizabeth II. Ironic that a relative of Tyrone ended up on the British throne, what would Elizabeth I have thought of that?
July 20, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Tyrone's daughters married into Irish and Scots nobility. Alice married Randal MacDonnell, one of whose descendants was Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, mother to Q. Elizabeth II. Ironic that a relative of Tyrone ended up on the British throne, what would Elizabeth I have thought of that?
OTD 1616 Hugh O'Neill, earl of Tyrone died in Rome 'after exemplary penance for his sins, and gaining victory over the world and the devil'. Tyrone was buried in San Pietro in Montorio. His funeral was attended by cardinals, ambassadors and foreign dignitaries #nineyearswar
July 20, 2025 at 8:43 AM
OTD 1616 Hugh O'Neill, earl of Tyrone died in Rome 'after exemplary penance for his sins, and gaining victory over the world and the devil'. Tyrone was buried in San Pietro in Montorio. His funeral was attended by cardinals, ambassadors and foreign dignitaries #nineyearswar
OTD 1599 Elizabeth was an angry elf with Essex 'We that have the eyes of foreign princes upon our actions & have the hearts of people to comfort & cherish, who groan under burden of continual levies...can little please ourself...with anything that has been effected' #nineyearswar
July 19, 2025 at 8:25 AM
OTD 1599 Elizabeth was an angry elf with Essex 'We that have the eyes of foreign princes upon our actions & have the hearts of people to comfort & cherish, who groan under burden of continual levies...can little please ourself...with anything that has been effected' #nineyearswar
OTD 1945 Churchill's mendacious victory speech accused the Irish of frollicking with the Germans and Japanese, despite knowledge of extensive Irish cooperation with the Allies. When De Valera hit back, he didn't miss and hit the wall
May 13, 2025 at 12:01 PM
OTD 1945 Churchill's mendacious victory speech accused the Irish of frollicking with the Germans and Japanese, despite knowledge of extensive Irish cooperation with the Allies. When De Valera hit back, he didn't miss and hit the wall
Night of 4/5 May 1941, Belfast suffered its second major air raid. Fewer people are killed than previous raid (still over 200), but the city centre and much industry was devastated by incendiaries and high explosives
May 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Night of 4/5 May 1941, Belfast suffered its second major air raid. Fewer people are killed than previous raid (still over 200), but the city centre and much industry was devastated by incendiaries and high explosives
OTD 1600 For Arthur Chichester not enough blood was being spilled 'the traitors in many places receive blows though we kill not in multitudes which cannot be howsoever we be beat them they are swift of foot, it is famine not the sword that must reduce this country' #nineyearswar
May 2, 2025 at 1:14 PM
OTD 1600 For Arthur Chichester not enough blood was being spilled 'the traitors in many places receive blows though we kill not in multitudes which cannot be howsoever we be beat them they are swift of foot, it is famine not the sword that must reduce this country' #nineyearswar
OTD 1595 As the war escalated, Gráinne Ní Mháille sought to retrench her position with the crown, offering to serve 'at their own charges at sea upon the coast of Ireland in Her Majesties wars upon all occasions' as 'true and faithful subjects' #nineyearswar
April 17, 2025 at 12:34 PM
OTD 1595 As the war escalated, Gráinne Ní Mháille sought to retrench her position with the crown, offering to serve 'at their own charges at sea upon the coast of Ireland in Her Majesties wars upon all occasions' as 'true and faithful subjects' #nineyearswar
OTD 1599 Earl of Essex arrived in Dublin. He believed the conflict to be 'a miserable beggarly...war'. Essex was driven by a need for glory to enhance his reputation & craved a grand tableau on which to demonstrate his knightly virtues. He wouldn't find it in Ireland #nineyearswar
April 14, 2025 at 12:40 PM
OTD 1599 Earl of Essex arrived in Dublin. He believed the conflict to be 'a miserable beggarly...war'. Essex was driven by a need for glory to enhance his reputation & craved a grand tableau on which to demonstrate his knightly virtues. He wouldn't find it in Ireland #nineyearswar
OTD 1600 Earl of Ormond & Owny O'More's parley goes arse over tit. An argument with Fr Archer (a Jesuit) led to a melee & capture of the earl. Carew & Earl of Thomond narrowly escaped. Coldly, Mountjoy wrote of the incident, 'I know not well if this is good or evil news' #nineyearswar
April 10, 2025 at 7:23 AM
OTD 1600 Earl of Ormond & Owny O'More's parley goes arse over tit. An argument with Fr Archer (a Jesuit) led to a melee & capture of the earl. Carew & Earl of Thomond narrowly escaped. Coldly, Mountjoy wrote of the incident, 'I know not well if this is good or evil news' #nineyearswar
OTD 1603 M'joy proclaimed the Scottish King James I and VI. Was 'very sorrowful...for the loss of their late dear sovereign were it not that God out of his wonted mercy hath recomforted us again by raising so rare, worthy and complete a prince to sit in her place' #nineyearswar
April 5, 2025 at 8:01 AM
OTD 1603 M'joy proclaimed the Scottish King James I and VI. Was 'very sorrowful...for the loss of their late dear sovereign were it not that God out of his wonted mercy hath recomforted us again by raising so rare, worthy and complete a prince to sit in her place' #nineyearswar
OTD 1599 Norreys returns to Cork, but on the way from Mallow, the Irish attacked, skirmishing with his column for 3 hours 'having the favour of 2 bogs'. Claimed 1 killed and 4 wounded, but 'slain above 80' Irish. Fanciful body counts were a feature of English reports #nineyearswar
April 4, 2025 at 7:44 AM
OTD 1599 Norreys returns to Cork, but on the way from Mallow, the Irish attacked, skirmishing with his column for 3 hours 'having the favour of 2 bogs'. Claimed 1 killed and 4 wounded, but 'slain above 80' Irish. Fanciful body counts were a feature of English reports #nineyearswar
OTD 1603 Tyrone submitted to M'joy at Mellifont, but it was no craven submission. He retained his lands and title. Elizabeth insisted he should not, but she was dead and MJ wanted this war done. Within months the earl would be off hunting with King James in England #nineyearswar
March 30, 2025 at 10:16 AM
OTD 1603 Tyrone submitted to M'joy at Mellifont, but it was no craven submission. He retained his lands and title. Elizabeth insisted he should not, but she was dead and MJ wanted this war done. Within months the earl would be off hunting with King James in England #nineyearswar
OTD 1599 This wasn't a war without rules. Con O'Neill spoiled and detained Miler McGrath, the protestant archbishop of Cashel. Tyrone immediately ordered his release and return of all spoils as only the Pope could 'allow us to apprehend him' or any other priest. #nineyearswar
March 29, 2025 at 10:22 AM
OTD 1599 This wasn't a war without rules. Con O'Neill spoiled and detained Miler McGrath, the protestant archbishop of Cashel. Tyrone immediately ordered his release and return of all spoils as only the Pope could 'allow us to apprehend him' or any other priest. #nineyearswar
Shall we play a game? Gemini (Google chatbot) v Grok (Twitter). I posed the question, "What weapons did the Irish use in the Nine Years war?" Gemini didn't get it all right, but a conclusive win against Grok.
Grok? Failing mark for you
Grok? Failing mark for you
March 27, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Shall we play a game? Gemini (Google chatbot) v Grok (Twitter). I posed the question, "What weapons did the Irish use in the Nine Years war?" Gemini didn't get it all right, but a conclusive win against Grok.
Grok? Failing mark for you
Grok? Failing mark for you
Oh ffs, why you never trust AI to do your history essays...Meta have ripped off my book but the AI's are talking utter bollocks
March 24, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Oh ffs, why you never trust AI to do your history essays...Meta have ripped off my book but the AI's are talking utter bollocks
OTD 1603 The war had almost run its course. Mountjoy received Tyrone's letter requesting the Queen's 'gracious favour and to grant me her pardon...I am unworthy to be pardoned, yet still remembering that HM's mercy exceeds my ill-doings'-that's one way to put it #nineyearswar
March 23, 2025 at 9:49 AM
OTD 1603 The war had almost run its course. Mountjoy received Tyrone's letter requesting the Queen's 'gracious favour and to grant me her pardon...I am unworthy to be pardoned, yet still remembering that HM's mercy exceeds my ill-doings'-that's one way to put it #nineyearswar
OTD 1597 news of Tyrone's proclamation in #Dungannon for the raising of 3,000 troops for 3 months. They would receive 1 month up front and be paid 12d per day. Morgan Kavanagh, a veteran of the Low Countries, arrived to take up a command in the earl's army. #nineyearswar
March 22, 2025 at 8:59 AM
OTD 1597 news of Tyrone's proclamation in #Dungannon for the raising of 3,000 troops for 3 months. They would receive 1 month up front and be paid 12d per day. Morgan Kavanagh, a veteran of the Low Countries, arrived to take up a command in the earl's army. #nineyearswar
OTD 1600 A Spy in Dungannon reported Tyrone knew Crown was sending a landing force to Lough Foyle. To counter Tyrone sends 'the greatest part of his forces', O'Donnell with Cormac MacBaron and O'Cahan with 1k foot. O'D took hostages from all 'he doth mistrust' #nineyearswar
March 21, 2025 at 7:45 AM
OTD 1600 A Spy in Dungannon reported Tyrone knew Crown was sending a landing force to Lough Foyle. To counter Tyrone sends 'the greatest part of his forces', O'Donnell with Cormac MacBaron and O'Cahan with 1k foot. O'D took hostages from all 'he doth mistrust' #nineyearswar
OTD 1601 Scots merchant Thomas Douglas watched a Spanish officer drill Tyrone's pikemen in Dungannon. Surprised that experienced troops didn't use tight formation, the Spanish officer replied that close order would 'avail them nothing' in constricted Irish terrain #nineyearswar
March 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM
OTD 1601 Scots merchant Thomas Douglas watched a Spanish officer drill Tyrone's pikemen in Dungannon. Surprised that experienced troops didn't use tight formation, the Spanish officer replied that close order would 'avail them nothing' in constricted Irish terrain #nineyearswar
Could the entire #nineyearswar be prevented? OTD 1594 Adam Loftus and Irish Privy Council recommended pardoning Hugh Maguire, revoking Henry Bagenal's commission and removing Capt. Henshaw as seneschal of Monaghan. Advice not taken, both men were killed at Battle of the Yellow Ford, 1598
March 16, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Could the entire #nineyearswar be prevented? OTD 1594 Adam Loftus and Irish Privy Council recommended pardoning Hugh Maguire, revoking Henry Bagenal's commission and removing Capt. Henshaw as seneschal of Monaghan. Advice not taken, both men were killed at Battle of the Yellow Ford, 1598
OTD 1601 M'joy wrote the Queen 'neither do I think that any of our bloods be too precious to be ventured' taking Ireland. He displayed physical bravery throughout the war. M'joy's luck held but many officers, secretaries and horses were killed beside (or under) him #nineyearswar
March 14, 2025 at 1:02 PM
OTD 1601 M'joy wrote the Queen 'neither do I think that any of our bloods be too precious to be ventured' taking Ireland. He displayed physical bravery throughout the war. M'joy's luck held but many officers, secretaries and horses were killed beside (or under) him #nineyearswar
OTD 1596 Capt Dowdall reported Tyrone's had 'drawn the greatest part of their kern to be musketeers & their gallowglass pikes, they want no furniture neither of muskets, fowling pieces, calivers, swords, graven morions, powder and shot'..'how cometh?'-good question #nineyearswar
March 9, 2025 at 9:51 AM
OTD 1596 Capt Dowdall reported Tyrone's had 'drawn the greatest part of their kern to be musketeers & their gallowglass pikes, they want no furniture neither of muskets, fowling pieces, calivers, swords, graven morions, powder and shot'..'how cometh?'-good question #nineyearswar
OTD 1602 Juan del Aguila and the last of the Spanish (1,200 troops + women & boys) board ships at Kinsale to return home. Some harshly criticised M'joy and Carew for 'avoiding' the Spanish out of Ireland rather than destroying them in battle-can't please everyone #nineyearswar
March 8, 2025 at 9:15 AM
OTD 1602 Juan del Aguila and the last of the Spanish (1,200 troops + women & boys) board ships at Kinsale to return home. Some harshly criticised M'joy and Carew for 'avoiding' the Spanish out of Ireland rather than destroying them in battle-can't please everyone #nineyearswar
OTD 1598 Ormond's exasperation clear when he noted the extreme want of the Crown garrisons and his lack of money or victuals to relieve them. Moreover, if Tyrone went on offensive 'I have neither money, victuals, nor munition to make an offensive or defensive war' #nineyearswar
March 1, 2025 at 8:56 AM
OTD 1598 Ormond's exasperation clear when he noted the extreme want of the Crown garrisons and his lack of money or victuals to relieve them. Moreover, if Tyrone went on offensive 'I have neither money, victuals, nor munition to make an offensive or defensive war' #nineyearswar