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.
The shattered remnants of the army were saved when the English cavalry charged out of Boyle, forcing the Irish back and giving the fugitive troops space to withdraw. Brian O'Rourke cut off Clifford's head and sent it to Red Hugh O'Donnell (who was not present during the battle)
August 5, 2025 at 7:03 AM
The shattered remnants of the army were saved when the English cavalry charged out of Boyle, forcing the Irish back and giving the fugitive troops space to withdraw. Brian O'Rourke cut off Clifford's head and sent it to Red Hugh O'Donnell (who was not present during the battle)
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?
Hugh's line survived through his daughters. All his sons died of disease, were killed in battle or murdered. Con Brian was found hanged in Brussels. Declared suicide his hands were bound. Shane storming Montjuïc fortress in Catalonia in 1641 (spectacular site, well worth a visit)
July 20, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Hugh's line survived through his daughters. All his sons died of disease, were killed in battle or murdered. Con Brian was found hanged in Brussels. Declared suicide his hands were bound. Shane storming Montjuïc fortress in Catalonia in 1641 (spectacular site, well worth a visit)
Some suggested O'Neill died broken by exile and the death of his son but this is not borne out by his final years during which he repeatedly tried to find a way back to Ireland. Physically 'an old man by sight; yet he is lusty and strong, and well able to travel'
July 20, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Some suggested O'Neill died broken by exile and the death of his son but this is not borne out by his final years during which he repeatedly tried to find a way back to Ireland. Physically 'an old man by sight; yet he is lusty and strong, and well able to travel'
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
The fact is, they did try. Moreover, the question is not why no Jewish refugees (which they did after) but why very few refugees of any type
July 19, 2025 at 8:33 AM
The fact is, they did try. Moreover, the question is not why no Jewish refugees (which they did after) but why very few refugees of any type
Turning the knife 'what can be more true...your 2 month journey hath brought never a capital rebel, against whom it would have been worthy to have ventured 1,000 men.' On taking Cahir castle 'you would long since have scorned to have allowed it for any great matter in others'
July 19, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Turning the knife 'what can be more true...your 2 month journey hath brought never a capital rebel, against whom it would have been worthy to have ventured 1,000 men.' On taking Cahir castle 'you would long since have scorned to have allowed it for any great matter in others'
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
The centre of the city became an inferno as commercial premises went up in flames. By morning, it was clear the familiar streets of central Belfast were transformed forever. Even City Hall was hit, & only the Northern Whig was left standing on Bridge Street.
May 5, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The centre of the city became an inferno as commercial premises went up in flames. By morning, it was clear the familiar streets of central Belfast were transformed forever. Even City Hall was hit, & only the Northern Whig was left standing on Bridge Street.
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
In a pantheon of questionable characters, Chichester stands out in the history of the conflict with his incendiary and brutal rhetoric, backed by equally brutal actions and callousness. Only much later in life did he hint at regret over his actions.
May 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
In a pantheon of questionable characters, Chichester stands out in the history of the conflict with his incendiary and brutal rhetoric, backed by equally brutal actions and callousness. Only much later in life did he hint at regret over his actions.
Ever the charmer, Chichester thought the English were 'too mild spirits and good consciences to be their [Irish] masters' and war was unprofitable until 'the nation be wholly destroyed or so subjected to take a new impression of laws and religion'- mural in Belfast City Hall
May 2, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Ever the charmer, Chichester thought the English were 'too mild spirits and good consciences to be their [Irish] masters' and war was unprofitable until 'the nation be wholly destroyed or so subjected to take a new impression of laws and religion'- mural in Belfast City Hall
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
Both sides courted her son Tibbot Ne Long, but he chose to serve with crown forces in Connacht under Sir Conyers Clifford, and fought at the battle of Kinsale in 1601. He was knighted in 1603 and was later made 1st Viscount Mayo.
April 17, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Both sides courted her son Tibbot Ne Long, but he chose to serve with crown forces in Connacht under Sir Conyers Clifford, and fought at the battle of Kinsale in 1601. He was knighted in 1603 and was later made 1st Viscount Mayo.
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
With a reputation greater than his ability, Essex cashiered his most experienced officers for previous failures, then ignored his orders to attack Tyrone due to 'dangers that might ensue'. Essex would squander the largest army deployed against Tyrone. This won't end well for Essex.
April 14, 2025 at 12:40 PM
With a reputation greater than his ability, Essex cashiered his most experienced officers for previous failures, then ignored his orders to attack Tyrone due to 'dangers that might ensue'. Essex would squander the largest army deployed against Tyrone. This won't end well for Essex.
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
OTD1602 Capt Esmond was getting ahead of himself. 'Tyrone's brother, has collected some forces & stands for himself, and swears he will not be commanded by Tyrone'. Cormac MacBaron was one of the earl's most successful officers, he didn't throw in the towel until Feb 1603
April 10, 2025 at 7:25 AM
OTD1602 Capt Esmond was getting ahead of himself. 'Tyrone's brother, has collected some forces & stands for himself, and swears he will not be commanded by Tyrone'. Cormac MacBaron was one of the earl's most successful officers, he didn't throw in the towel until Feb 1603
Throughout Ormond's captivity, he maintained contact with Dublin via a woman intelligencer code-named Imperia Romana. Sharing Ormond's room, the earl said he was greatly beholding to her for 'comforting him in his misery'. After his release in June, Ormond never mentioned her again
April 10, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Throughout Ormond's captivity, he maintained contact with Dublin via a woman intelligencer code-named Imperia Romana. Sharing Ormond's room, the earl said he was greatly beholding to her for 'comforting him in his misery'. After his release in June, Ormond never mentioned her again
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
By Summer Tyrone travelled to England to go hunting with the new king. Was assailed along the way by women, who hurled stones at him in revenge for their lost husbands & sons. While there he wrote to Philip III of Spain offering to rekindle the war & take up arms against James
April 5, 2025 at 8:02 AM
By Summer Tyrone travelled to England to go hunting with the new king. Was assailed along the way by women, who hurled stones at him in revenge for their lost husbands & sons. While there he wrote to Philip III of Spain offering to rekindle the war & take up arms against James
An odd twist of fate, Tyrone had benefited from James' tacit support during the war, as the king turned a blind eye to Irish imports of arms and munitions from Glasgow. Tyrone would not have been able to maintain the war without this key line of supply.
April 5, 2025 at 8:02 AM
An odd twist of fate, Tyrone had benefited from James' tacit support during the war, as the king turned a blind eye to Irish imports of arms and munitions from Glasgow. Tyrone would not have been able to maintain the war without this key line of supply.
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