Henry MacShane O'Neill
Encyclopedia
Henry MacShane O'Neill or Anraí MacSéan Ó Néill was an Irish flaith
, a son of Shane O'Neill
who was known as "an Diomas" or "The Proud". Henry was the leader of the MacShane in the late 1500s and early 1600s, he also fought for control of the O'Neill Clan, helping his father against Hugh O'Neill.
He was fostered in the households of the O'Cahan
's, the O'Quinn's and possibly MacDonnell Gallowglass
, due to the danger posed by other O'Neill family members
. Henry led his half brothers Hugh Gaveloch
and Con MacShane O'Neill
. Collectively the brothers were known as the "Mac Shanes", and waged a continual war from 1583 to 1591 for domination of Ulster
with the backing of a Scottish army made up of Macleans
and MacDonnells.
. Hugh and Art spent two years in Scotland
looking for help from their kinsman Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean
. Maclean landed with a force of 3,000 men in Lough Foyle
and travelled to free Henry and Con from the custody of Turlough.
Although Henry and Con remained with Turlough, the O'Donelly's and O'Cahan's defected to Mclean's side. When Turlough was thought to have died, the brothers were freed. But Con left, and without his presence western Tyrone
was exposed to a direct attack from Hugh Roe O'Donnell
, the Rí
of Tyrconnell. Although after the death of Turlough, Henry was the strongest candidate for becoming the O'Neill, Hugh O'Neill made a direct bid for leadership and mustered a large force, marching toward the inaugural stone in Tullyhogue
.
Henry was unable to quickly retaliate, as he and his brother Art were imprisoned in Dublin Castle
in 1585 by Lord Deputy
Sir John Perrot
, who was on a tour of the north that year. They both escaped, ironically, with Hugh Roe O'Donnell in 1592. Hugh Roe returned to Tyrconnell, but the MacShane's were not so lucky. Art died from exposure in Glenmalure
, and Perrot had allowed Hugh O'Neill and Turlough Luineach to attack the territory of James O'Donnelly, the main supporter of the MacShane's.
continuously during the 1590s and into the 1600s, alongside his brothers. Henry and Hugh Mór shared a peculiar relationship; they battled each other for supremacy over two decades, and Henry was subject to long imprisonment by Hugh. This changed when Henry's son married Hugh's daughter. He fought for Hugh during the Nine Years' War
.
When Hugh Rua fled to the Continent, the English decided he had forfeited his lands and set up a jury to redistribute them; the jury contained many of his enemies, including Henry and some of his brothers. In the end Henry was rewarded with a large estate in Orior
, County Armagh
.
Grandchildren
Great-grandchildren
Flaith
A flaith or flath , plural flatha, was an hereditary prince, or even princess, in the Gaelic world, with the plural often referring to the social class...
, a son of 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...
who was known as "an Diomas" or "The Proud". Henry was the leader of the MacShane in the late 1500s and early 1600s, he also fought for control of the O'Neill Clan, helping his father against Hugh O'Neill.
Early life
Henry was born to the ruling family of Ulster at the time. It is believed his mother was Catherine MacDonnell, Shane's first wife, which makes him one of Shane's oldest and legitimate children. He had many half brothers, but his only full brother was Shane Og, Shane O'Neill's oldest son.He was fostered in the households of the O'Cahan
O'Cahan
O'Cahan is the name of a significant clan in Ulster, a province of Ireland. It has been angiclized to O'Kane, Kane and variations including, O'Keane, O'Kean, O'Keen, O'Keene, Keen, Keene, Kain, O'Kaine, and similar variations thereof. They are descended from Eógan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
's, the O'Quinn's and possibly MacDonnell Gallowglass
Gallowglass
The gallowglass or galloglass – from , gallóglach – were an elite class of mercenary warrior who came from Norse-Gaelic clans in the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland between the mid 13th century and late 16th century...
, due to the danger posed by other O'Neill family members
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...
. Henry led his half brothers Hugh Gaveloch
Hugh McShane O'Neill
Hugh "McSeáin" O'Neill genealogies list Hugh as the son of Con MacShane O'Neill, 3rd son of Shane O'Neill and as the 10th son of Shane O'Neill. In both cases he was a grandson of Conn O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone and Gearoid Mór Fitzgerald, 8th Earl of Kildare and of the primary line of the O'Neill...
and Con MacShane O'Neill
Con MacShane O'Neill
Con MacShane O'Neill was the son of Shane O'Neill known as "an Diomas" or "The Proud", an Irish flaith or Prince of Ulster, the Lord of Clabbye, nobleman, rebel, and political leader in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Conn was born circa 1560 to the ruling monarch of Ulster at the time...
. Collectively the brothers were known as the "Mac Shanes", and waged a continual war from 1583 to 1591 for domination of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
with the backing of a Scottish army made up of Macleans
Maclean of Duart
The Macleans of Duart or Maclean of Dowart are the main sept of the Scottish clan Clan Maclean, whose chief has his seat at Duart Castle, Isle of Mull.-History:Lachlan Lubanach Maclean was the first Maclean to occupy Duart Castle....
and MacDonnells.
Push for power
Henry and Con made a push for power in the summer of 1584; their actions precipitated the temporary collapse of the authority of Turlough Luineach O'NeillTurlough Luineach O'Neill
Toirdhealbhach Luineach Mac Néill Chonnalaigh Ó Néill , the earl of the Clan-Connell, was inaugurated as the King of Tyrone, upon Shane O’Neill’s death...
. Hugh and Art spent two years in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
looking for help from their kinsman Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean
Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean
Sir Lachlan Mór Maclean or Lachlan the Great, was the 14th Clan Chief of Clan MacLean from late 1573 or early 1574 until 1598.Mór or Mor translates as great in English, or magnus in Latin, when added to a name in Scottish Gaelic....
. Maclean landed with a force of 3,000 men in Lough Foyle
Lough Foyle
Lough Foyle, sometimes Loch Foyle , is the estuary of the River Foyle in Ulster. It starts where the Foyle leaves Derry. It separates the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland from County Londonderry in Northern Ireland.-Transport:...
and travelled to free Henry and Con from the custody of Turlough.
Although Henry and Con remained with Turlough, the O'Donelly's and O'Cahan's defected to Mclean's side. When Turlough was thought to have died, the brothers were freed. But Con left, and without his presence western Tyrone
Tyrone
The name Tyrone can refer to:*County Tyrone, a county in Northern Ireland, roughly corresponding to the ancient kingdom of Tír Eogain*An Earl of Tyrone*A small steam train which runs between Bushmills and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland-Places:...
was exposed to a direct attack from Hugh Roe O'Donnell
Hugh Roe O'Donnell
Aodh Rua Ó Dónaill, anglicised as either Hugh Roe O'Donnell or Red Hugh O'Donnell , was An Ó Domhnaill and Rí of Tir Chonaill . He led the Irish forces against the English conquest of Ireland from 1593 and helped to lead the Nine Years' War from 1595 to 1603...
, the Rí
Rí
Rí, or very commonly ríg , is an ancient Gaelic word meaning "King". It is used in historical texts referring to the Irish and Scottish kings and those of similar rank. While the modern Irish word is exactly the same, in modern Scottish it is Rìgh, apparently derived from the genitive. The word...
of Tyrconnell. Although after the death of Turlough, Henry was the strongest candidate for becoming the O'Neill, Hugh O'Neill made a direct bid for leadership and mustered a large force, marching toward the inaugural stone in Tullyhogue
Tullyhogue Fort
Tullyhogue Fort, also spelt Tullaghoge or Tullahoge , is large mound on the outskirts of Tullyhogue village near Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It has a depressed centre and is surrounded by trees...
.
Henry was unable to quickly retaliate, as he and his brother Art were imprisoned in Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland...
in 1585 by Lord Deputy
Lord Deputy of Ireland
The Lord Deputy was the King's representative and head of the Irish executive under English rule, during the Lordship of Ireland and later the Kingdom of Ireland...
Sir John Perrot
John Perrot
Sir John Perrot served as Lord Deputy of Ireland under Queen Elizabeth I of England during the Tudor conquest of Ireland...
, who was on a tour of the north that year. They both escaped, ironically, with Hugh Roe O'Donnell in 1592. Hugh Roe returned to Tyrconnell, but the MacShane's were not so lucky. Art died from exposure in Glenmalure
Glenmalure
Glenmalure is a valley in the Wicklow Mountains in eastern Ireland. It is a u-shaped glacial valley, with only one road leading into it, which connects to the 'Military Road' at the mouth of the valley....
, and Perrot had allowed Hugh O'Neill and Turlough Luineach to attack the territory of James O'Donnelly, the main supporter of the MacShane's.
Relationship with Hugh O'Neill
He opposed his first cousin, Hugh Mór O'Neill, the 2nd Earl of TyroneEarl of Tyrone
The Earl of Tyrone is a title created three times in the Peerage of Ireland.It was first created as part of the Tudor attempt to establish a uniform social structure in Ireland by converting the Gaelic kings and chiefs into hereditary nobles of the Kingdom of Ireland...
continuously during the 1590s and into the 1600s, alongside his brothers. Henry and Hugh Mór shared a peculiar relationship; they battled each other for supremacy over two decades, and Henry was subject to long imprisonment by Hugh. This changed when Henry's son married Hugh's daughter. He fought for Hugh during the Nine Years' War
Nine Years' War (Ireland)
The Nine Years' War or Tyrone's Rebellion took place in Ireland from 1594 to 1603. It was fought between the forces of Gaelic Irish chieftains Hugh O'Neill of Tír Eoghain, Hugh Roe O'Donnell of Tír Chonaill and their allies, against English rule in Ireland. The war was fought in all parts of the...
.
When Hugh Rua fled to the Continent, the English decided he had forfeited his lands and set up a jury to redistribute them; the jury contained many of his enemies, including Henry and some of his brothers. In the end Henry was rewarded with a large estate in Orior
Orior Lower
Orior Lower is a barony in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It lies in the east of the county and borders County Down with its eastern boundary...
, County Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
.
Known children and grandchildren
Children- Henry Og MacShane - Henry Og married Hugh Rua's daughter Cortine. Henry's son, Henry Og was knighted Sir Henry McShane O'Neill. He was killed by O'Doherty on 6 May 1608 during his rebellion in Derry. Henry Og had a son named Sir Felim Roe.
- Con Boy McShane - Son of Henry. Little is known about Con Boy other than he led a raid on MacMahon country for Turlough Lineach in 1569. This is confusing, as his grandfather Shane O'Neill was only born in 1530.
- Cormocke MacShane - Member of the jury to distribute Hugh O'Neill's land
Grandchildren
- Sir Felim Roe MacShane - Son of Henry Og. He was knighted like his father. Born 1604 died 1653.
- Sir Turlough MacShane - Son Of Henry Og. Knighted and Married Catherine Ny. He was knighted.Children listed as - Neal Roe, Bryan, Henry, Con Boy, Charles, Hugh, Phelim and Turlough Og. He died young in 1608 and his land was divided among his immediate family.
Great-grandchildren
- Phelim MacShaneFelim O'Neill of KinardSir Felim O'Neill of Kinard , also called Phelim MacShane O'Neill or Féilim Ó Néill , was an Irish nobleman who led the Irish Rebellion of 1641 in Ulster which began on 22 October 1641. He was a member of the Irish Catholic Confederation during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, where he fought under...
- Son of Turlough. Received land with his mother in Tyrone. Leader in the 1641 Rebellion. He was executed 1653. - Turlough Og MacShane - Brother of Felim Roe. Received Land in Armagh.
See also
- Shane O'NeillShane O'NeillSeán 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...
- Con MacShane O'NeillCon MacShane O'NeillCon MacShane O'Neill was the son of Shane O'Neill known as "an Diomas" or "The Proud", an Irish flaith or Prince of Ulster, the Lord of Clabbye, nobleman, rebel, and political leader in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Conn was born circa 1560 to the ruling monarch of Ulster at the time...
- MacShaneMacShaneMacShane is a patronymic surname originating in Ireland. The surname evolved from the given name Shane, a derivative of John, of Hebrew origin. Early records spelled the name Mac Seáin or Mac Seagháin. Historically, the MacShanes from Ulster are a branch of the O'Neills, while in County Kerry, the...
- Felim O'Neill of KinardFelim O'Neill of KinardSir Felim O'Neill of Kinard , also called Phelim MacShane O'Neill or Féilim Ó Néill , was an Irish nobleman who led the Irish Rebellion of 1641 in Ulster which began on 22 October 1641. He was a member of the Irish Catholic Confederation during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, where he fought under...
- Turlough Luineach O'NeillTurlough Luineach O'NeillToirdhealbhach Luineach Mac Néill Chonnalaigh Ó Néill , the earl of the Clan-Connell, was inaugurated as the King of Tyrone, upon Shane O’Neill’s death...
- Hugh McShane O'NeillHugh McShane O'NeillHugh "McSeáin" O'Neill genealogies list Hugh as the son of Con MacShane O'Neill, 3rd son of Shane O'Neill and as the 10th son of Shane O'Neill. In both cases he was a grandson of Conn O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone and Gearoid Mór Fitzgerald, 8th Earl of Kildare and of the primary line of the O'Neill...
- McShaneMcShaneMcShane may refer to:People*See: McShane Other uses* McShane Bell Foundry, church bell manufacturer, located in Glen Burnie, Maryland, USA* McShane's identity, geometric topology...