[MR] Wikipedia: Battle of the Yellow Ford

[Garth Groff via Atlantia]

Noble Friends, Especially the Irish:

On this day in 1598 an English Army fighting against Hugh O'Neill, the 
Earl of Tyrone, and Red Hugh O'Donnell, Earl (or King) of Tyrconnel, was 
mauled at the Battle of the Yellow Ford. This battle was one of several 
victories by the Irish against the occupying English during the late 
1500s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Yellow_Ford . The 
tactics, modern weaponry and superb generalship of the Irish gave them a 
significant victory, though their triumph was short-lived and the 
English eventually won the war.

O'Neill and O'Donnell are today considered great patriotic heroes by 
many Irish. Whether you love them or hate them, both are fascinating 
figures.

Hugh O'Neill, or Aodh Mór Ó Néill, The Earl of Tyrone (1550-1616), was a 
fine military commander and also a superb and devious diplomat. O'Neill 
had been under English protection and sponsorship, held lands from the 
crown, and appeared to be a pliable Irish lord. Fat chance. O'Neill 
sucked up to the English when it suited him, but frequently rose against 
English domination when he saw an advantage. After the Irish defeat at 
Kinsale in 1602, Tyrone again accepted English rule. However, he and his 
followers fled Ireland in 1607 in the famous "Flight of the Earls". The 
eventually made their way to Rome where O'Neill died in 1616: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_O%27Neill,_Earl_of_Tyrone .

Red Hugh O'Donnell, or Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill, Earl (styling himself 
King) of Tyrconnell (1572-1602), was an intractable foe of the English 
who never surrendered or played footsie with them. Having escaped from 
an English prison, O'Donnell nursed a burning hatred of the English. 
Between 1592 and 1602 he waged an almost constant rebellion. After the 
defeat at Kinsale, O'Donnell fled to Spain, only to die there a few 
months later under mysterious circumstances. He was possibly poisoned by 
an English agent https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Roe_O%27Donnell . 
The O'Donnell clan's chief seat was Donegal Castle: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donegal_Castle .

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, That Crazy Scot