Turlough Luineach O'Neill
Encyclopedia
Toirdhealbhach Luineach Mac Néill Chonnalaigh Ó Néill (anglicized Turlough Luineach O'Neill) (1532–1595), the earl
of the Clan-Connell
, was inaugurated
as the King of Tyrone
, upon Shane O’Neill
’s death
. He belonged to the O'Neill dynasty
.
Making professions of loyalty to the Queen of England
, he sought to strengthen his position by alliance with the O’Donnell
s, MacDonnells and MacQuillan
s. But his conduct giving rise to suspicions, an expedition under Walter Devereux
the earl of Essex
was sent against him, which met with such doubtful success that in 1575 a treaty was arranged by which O’Neill received extensive grants of lands and permission to employ three hundred Scottish
mercenaries.
In 1578 he was knighted and "granted" nobility, in fact "officially" downgraded from "pretended" royalty, as the English saw it. He then "had permission" to call himself and be called: "Baron of Clogher and Earl of Clanconnel", for the rest of his life. Still, at the outbreak of rebellion in Munster his attitude again became menacing, and for the next few years he continued to intrigue against the English authorities. The latter, as a counterpoise to Turlough, supported his cousin Hugh, brother of Brian, whom Shane Ó Neill had murdered. After several years of rivalry and much fighting between the two relatives, Turlough resigned the headship of the clan in favour of Hugh, who was inaugurated O’Neill in 1593.
His wife Agnes Campbell
was a natural daughter of Archibald Campbell, 4th Earl of Argyll
Earl
An earl is a member of the nobility. The title is Anglo-Saxon, akin to the Scandinavian form jarl, and meant "chieftain", particularly a chieftain set to rule a territory in a king's stead. In Scandinavia, it became obsolete in the Middle Ages and was replaced with duke...
of the Clan-Connell
Cenél Conaill
The Cenél Conaill is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history. They were also known in Scotland as the Kindred of Saint Columba....
, was inaugurated
Inauguration
An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the President of the United States officially takes the oath of office....
as the King of 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:...
, upon 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...
’s death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
. He belonged to the O'Neill dynasty
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...
.
Making professions of loyalty to the Queen of England
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, he sought to strengthen his position by alliance with the O’Donnell
O'Donnell dynasty
O'Donnell , which is derived from the forename Domhnaill were an ancient and powerful Irish family, kings, princes, and lords of Tír Chonaill in early times, and the chief allies and sometimes...
s, MacDonnells and MacQuillan
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. But his conduct giving rise to suspicions, an expedition under Walter Devereux
Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex
Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex, KG , an English nobleman and general. From 1573 until his death he fought in Ireland in connection with the Plantation of Ulster, where he ordered the massacre of Rathlin Island...
the earl of Essex
Earl of Essex
Earl of Essex is a title that has been held by several families and individuals. The earldom was first created in the 12th century for Geoffrey II de Mandeville . Upon the death of the third earl in 1189, the title became dormant or extinct...
was sent against him, which met with such doubtful success that in 1575 a treaty was arranged by which O’Neill received extensive grants of lands and permission to employ three hundred Scottish
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...
mercenaries.
In 1578 he was knighted and "granted" nobility, in fact "officially" downgraded from "pretended" royalty, as the English saw it. He then "had permission" to call himself and be called: "Baron of Clogher and Earl of Clanconnel", for the rest of his life. Still, at the outbreak of rebellion in Munster his attitude again became menacing, and for the next few years he continued to intrigue against the English authorities. The latter, as a counterpoise to Turlough, supported his cousin Hugh, brother of Brian, whom Shane Ó Neill had murdered. After several years of rivalry and much fighting between the two relatives, Turlough resigned the headship of the clan in favour of Hugh, who was inaugurated O’Neill in 1593.
His wife Agnes Campbell
Agnes Campbell
Lady Agnes Campbell was the daughter of Colin Campbell, 3rd Earl of Argyll and his wife Lady Jean Gordon.She was probably born at Inveraray Castle which was the Campbell Family seat.Her sister, Elizabeth, married James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray...
was a natural daughter of Archibald Campbell, 4th Earl of Argyll
Archibald Campbell, 4th Earl of Argyll
Gillespie Roy Archibald Campbell, 4th Earl of Argyll was a Scottish nobleman and politician.-Biography:He was the eldest son of Colin Campbell, 3rd Earl of Argyll and Jean Gordon, daughter of Alexander Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly...
See also
- Kings of Tir EogainKings of Tir EogainThis article lists the Kings of Tír Eoghain or Tyrone from 1185 to 1616. They are listed from their date of accession to date of death, unless otherwise stated....
- Kings of AilechKings of AilechThe Kings of Ailech belonged to the northern Uí Néill and took their name from the Grianán of Ailech , a hillfort on top of Greenan Mountain in modern County Donegal...
- Cenél nEógainCenél nEógainCenél nEóġain is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Eógan mac Néill , son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Eoghain in the 5th century...