Battle of Aura
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Aura was fought in the middle of the sixteenth century between the MacDonnells, led by Sorley Boy MacDonnell
, against the McQuillan
s and O'Neill
s, in which the MacQuillans and O'Neills were defeated. Translated, Slieve-an-Aura means Hill of Battle - the modern spelling is Slieveanorra.
Edward McQuillan mounted an attack against the camp of Sorley Boy near Bonamargy
on 4 July 1559, however his attack was repulsed with heavy losses, including his brother Roderick McQuillan, his second in charge. The MacQuillan's retreated and Sorley Boy pursued them to their camp on the banks of Glenshesk River
which he attacked on 5/6 July and both forces suffered heavy losses, including MacQuillan's other brother Charles McQuillan. The McQuillan's retreated further and set up camp near Slieve-na-Aura
. Hugh MacFelim O'Neill, Prince of the O'Neills of Clandeboy, and Shane O'Neill
, Prince of the O'Neills of Tyrone (and later King of Ulster), arrived at the camp of the McQuillan's with reinforcements.
During the night of 13 July 1559, the MacDonnells cut and spread rushes over the boggy terrain, to make a path across the swampy land. In the morning, a party was sent to the camp of the O'Neills. The O'Neill chief then ordered his cavalry to pursue the MacDonnells who fled towards their own camp by way of their path. The pursuing cavalry were soon bogged down in the wet terrain and attempted a retreat, but were cut off by Sorley Boy, Hugh MacIlveal and his men. Hugh O'Neill is said to have offered MacIlveal "all the young horses, and all the fair damselss of Claneboy," as his ransom, in which MacIlveal replied, "If all the horses in Ireland were Sorley Boys, I would rather go on foot," before killing Hugh O'Neill.
The chiefs of Clan MacAuley
and Clan MacPhoil and their forces, who were to fight on the side of the McQuillans and O'Neills, arrived during the middle of battle and became spectators. Sorley Boy MacDonnell then rode out to the chiefs of the MacAuleys and MacPhoils and persuaded them to join his ranks, to which they agreed. Their combined force then drove the McQuillans and the O'Neills to the banks of the river Aura, where they were finally defeated. Edward McQuillan also fell during the battle.
The dead were left all over Glenshesk
. After the battle the MacDonnells withdrew to the mountain of Trostan
, which overlooks Cushendale
, and Sorley Boy MacDonnell was entertained by MacAuley, Lord of the Glens. A cairn was then erected to commemorate the place of festivities. Near the summit of the 1530 foot Slieve-na-Aura two cairns were said to have marked the burying place of O'Neill and his men.
Sorley Boy MacDonnell
Somhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill , Scoto-Irish prince or flaith and chief, was the son of Alexander MacDonnell, lord of Islay and Kintyre , and Catherine, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan...
, against the McQuillan
Clan McQuillan
Clan McQuillan is an Irish clan that descend from south-western Scotland, who originally come over to Ulster to serve as galloglass mercenaries for the earls of Ulster and originally held lands in Dufferin in modern County Down before taken possession of the Route.-Origin of name:The name...
s and O'Neill
O'Neill dynasty
The O'Neill dynasty is a group of families that have held prominent positions and titles throughout European history. The O'Neills take their name from Niall Glúndub, an early 10th century High King of Ireland from the Cenél nEógain...
s, in which the MacQuillans and O'Neills were defeated. Translated, Slieve-an-Aura means Hill of Battle - the modern spelling is Slieveanorra.
Edward McQuillan mounted an attack against the camp of Sorley Boy near Bonamargy
Bonamargy
Bonamargy is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, off the Cushendall Road on the approach to Ballycastle at the foot of the Margy River. The ruins of Bonamargy Friary are located here....
on 4 July 1559, however his attack was repulsed with heavy losses, including his brother Roderick McQuillan, his second in charge. The MacQuillan's retreated and Sorley Boy pursued them to their camp on the banks of Glenshesk River
Glenshesk River
The Glenshesk River is a river in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It runs through the Glenshesk valley, one of the Glens of Antrim.-References:*http://ballycastleanglingclub.com/Glenshesk.html...
which he attacked on 5/6 July and both forces suffered heavy losses, including MacQuillan's other brother Charles McQuillan. The McQuillan's retreated further and set up camp near Slieve-na-Aura
Slieve-na-Aura
Slieve-na-Aura, also known as Slieveanorra, is a high mountain in County Antrim, Northern Ireland....
. Hugh MacFelim O'Neill, Prince of the O'Neills of Clandeboy, and Shane O'Neill
Shane O'Neill
Seán Ó Néill, anglicised Shane O'Neill , nicknamed 'Seán an díomais', was an Irish king of the O'Neill dynasty of Ulster in the mid 16th century. Shane O'Neill's career was marked by his ambition to be The Ó Néill Mór - Sovereign of the dominant Ó Néill Mór family of Tyrone... and thus head...
, Prince of the O'Neills of Tyrone (and later King of Ulster), arrived at the camp of the McQuillan's with reinforcements.
During the night of 13 July 1559, the MacDonnells cut and spread rushes over the boggy terrain, to make a path across the swampy land. In the morning, a party was sent to the camp of the O'Neills. The O'Neill chief then ordered his cavalry to pursue the MacDonnells who fled towards their own camp by way of their path. The pursuing cavalry were soon bogged down in the wet terrain and attempted a retreat, but were cut off by Sorley Boy, Hugh MacIlveal and his men. Hugh O'Neill is said to have offered MacIlveal "all the young horses, and all the fair damselss of Claneboy," as his ransom, in which MacIlveal replied, "If all the horses in Ireland were Sorley Boys, I would rather go on foot," before killing Hugh O'Neill.
The chiefs of Clan MacAuley
Clan MacAuley of the Glens
Clan MacAuley of the Glens was a small Irish clan that descend from south-western Scotland, who originally come over to Ulster to serve as galloglass mercenaries. They held lands in the Glens of Antrim in modern County Antrim and the chief was at one time known as Lord of the Glens...
and Clan MacPhoil and their forces, who were to fight on the side of the McQuillans and O'Neills, arrived during the middle of battle and became spectators. Sorley Boy MacDonnell then rode out to the chiefs of the MacAuleys and MacPhoils and persuaded them to join his ranks, to which they agreed. Their combined force then drove the McQuillans and the O'Neills to the banks of the river Aura, where they were finally defeated. Edward McQuillan also fell during the battle.
The dead were left all over Glenshesk
Glenshesk
Glenshesk is one of the nine Glens of Antrim in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It was shaped during the Ice Age by glaciers. The glen lies on the eastern side of Knocklayde mountain and flows out to the sea at Ballycastle....
. After the battle the MacDonnells withdrew to the mountain of Trostan
Trostan
Trostan is a mountain in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and at 551 metres is the highest point in the county. Trostan is the 362nd highest mountain in Ireland.-See Also:*List of Irish counties by highest point...
, which overlooks Cushendale
Cushendall
Cushendall and formerly known as Newtown Glens is a village and townland in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.It is on the A2 coast road between Glenariff and Cushendun, in the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
, and Sorley Boy MacDonnell was entertained by MacAuley, Lord of the Glens. A cairn was then erected to commemorate the place of festivities. Near the summit of the 1530 foot Slieve-na-Aura two cairns were said to have marked the burying place of O'Neill and his men.