Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond
Encyclopedia
Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond (1534?–1581), called Groibleach (or Long-nailed), grandson of Conor O'Brien (d. 1539); succeeded to the earldom, 1553; his right to the lordship of Thomond was disputed by his uncle, Donnell; confirmed in his possessions by Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex
in 1558, who proclaimed his uncles traitors, though peace was not established until 1565. He intrigued with Fitzgerald
in 1569, and fled to France; returned to Ireland and received pardon, 1571, with the restoration of his lands, 1573.
, and Helen Butler, youngest daughter of Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond. He succeeded to the earldom on the death of his father in April 1553. His right was challenged by his uncle Donnell, who was formally inaugurated O'Brien and chief of the Dal Cais. Obliged to surrender Clonroad, the usual residence of the O'Briens, Conor retired to the castle of Doonmulvihill, on the borders of Galway, where he was besieged by Donnell, but relieved by his kinsman Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond.
Subsequently Donnell petitioned for official recognition as chief of Thomond, and St. Leger
, though unable to grant his request, promised to write to Queen Mary
in his favour. Matters continued in this uncertain state till the summer of 1558, when the Earl of Sussex
, having marched to Limerick with a large army, caused Donnell and Teige
and Donough, sons of Murrough, 1st Earl of Thomond
, to be proclaimed traitors, and Conor to be reinstated in his possessions. Donnell took refuge with Maguire in Fermanagh, and Teige and Donough found a powerful protector in Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond
.
Peace prevailed for a brief season, and Conor won Sussex's approbation for his good execution of justice. But in 1559 Teige and Donough returned to Inchiquin, and not merely defied Conor's efforts to oust them, but, with the assistance of the Earl of Desmond, actually inflicted a sharp defeat on him and his ally, the Earl of Clanricarde, at the Battle of Spancel Hill. Teige was shortly afterwards arrested by Lord-justice William FitzWilliam
, and confined in Dublin Castle
; but early in 1562 he managed to escape, and, being joined by Donnell, they opposed a formidable army to the Earl of Thomond. With the help of some ordnance lent him by Sussex, Thomond succeeded in wresting Ballyally and Ballycarhy from them; and eventually, in April 1565, after reducing the country to a wilderness, Donnell consented to surrender his claim to the lordship of Thomond on condition of receiving Corcomroe
. War broke out again in the following year ; but the resources of the combatants were exhausted,and Sidney, when he visited Limerick in April 1567, described it as utterly impoverished owing to the Earl of Thomond's "insufficiency to govern".
The suspicion with which he was regarded made him discontented, and on 8 July 1569 he entered into league with the "arch-rebel" James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald
(d. 1579). In February 1570 he attacked the President of Connaught, Sir Edward Fitton, at Ennis, and compelled him to seek refuge in Galway. A strong force under the Earl of Ormond was immediately despatched against him, and a few weeks later he submitted unconditionally. But being "seized with sorrow and regret for having surrendered his towns and prisoners", and determined never to "submit himself to the law, or to the mercy of the council of Ireland", he fled in the beginning of June to France.
There he introduced himself on 18 July to Sir Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys
, the English ambassador, and, after protesting his loyalty, begged him to intercede with the Queen Elizabeth
for his pardon. Norris, who thought him a "barbarous man", wanting "neither vainglory or deceitfulness, and yet in his talk very simple", soon became aware that he was intriguing with the French court, and urged Elizabeth to coax him home at any price. Elizabeth, though she spoke of him as a "person of small value" and declined to pardon him beforehand, was sufficiently alive to his power to do mischief, and promised if he returned to give his grievances a favourable hearing. But Thomond showed no disposition to leave Paris, and Norris was forced to lend him a hundred crowns and make endless promises before he would consent to take his departure.
He returned to Ireland in December, and, having made public confession of his treason to Sir Henry Sidney
, he was pardoned. Subsequently, in April 1571, he made surrender of all his lands to the queen. He obtained permission to go to England to solicit their restoration, but, owing to the rebellion of the Earl of Clanricarde's
sons, his presence was required in Ireland. He won the approval of the lord-deputy and council, and warrant was apparently given in June 1573 for the restoration of his lands. In December 1575 he went to Cork in order to show his respect to the lord-deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, whom he attended to Limerick and Galway, whither the principal men of Thomond repaired to him. "And finding that the mutuall Hurtes and Revenges donne betwixt the Earle and Teige MacMurrough Avas one great Cawse of the Ruyne of the Country", Sidney "bounde theim by Bondes, in great sommes", to surrender their lands, and to submit to the appointment of Donnell, created Sir Donnell O'Brien, as sheriff of the newly constituted county of Clare. This arrangement, though acquiesced in, was naturally displeasing to Thomond, and he was reputed to have said that he repented ever "condescending to the queen's mercy".
The arrangement did not put an end to the disputes between him and Teige, and in 1577 Sir William Drury was compelled to place the county under martial government. Thomond thereupon repaired to England, and on 7 October warrant was issued for a new patent containing the full effect of his former patent, with remainder to his son Donough, baron of Ibrickan
. He returned to Ireland about Christmas; but before his arrival, according to the "Four Masters", "the marshal had imposed a severe burden on his people, so that they were obliged to become tributary to the sovereign, and pay a sum of ten pounds for every barony, and this was the first tribute ever paid by the Dal Cais." Thomond, however, seems to have lived on good terms with the new president of Connaught, Sir Nicholas Malby
. He died, apparently, in January 1581, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Donough, baron of Ibrickan and 4th earl of Thomond.
; she died in 1560, and was buried in Muckross Abbey
: secondly, Una, daughter of Turlough Mac-i-Brien-Ara, by whom he had issue three sons viz.: Donough, his heir; Teige, and Daniel, created 1st Viscount Clare
and three daughters. Honora, first wife of Thomas Fitzmaurice, 18th Lord Kerry
; Margaret, second wife of James Butler, 2nd Lord Dunboyne
; and Mary, wife of Turlough Roe MacMahon of Corcovaskin.
Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex
Thomas Radclyffe 3rd Earl of Sussex was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland during the Tudor period of English history, and a leading courtier during the reign of Elizabeth I.- Family:...
in 1558, who proclaimed his uncles traitors, though peace was not established until 1565. He intrigued with Fitzgerald
James FitzMaurice FitzGerald
James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald was a member of the 16th century ruling Geraldine dynasty in the province of Munster in Ireland. He rebelled against the crown authority of Queen Elizabeth I of England in response to the onset of the Tudor conquest of Ireland and was deemed an archtraitor...
in 1569, and fled to France; returned to Ireland and received pardon, 1571, with the restoration of his lands, 1573.
Life
O'Brien, was, called Groibleach, or the "long-nailed", was the eldest son of Donough O'Brien, 2nd Earl of ThomondDonough O'Brien, 2nd Earl of Thomond
Donough O'Brien, 2nd Earl of Thomond , also known as "the fat", was the son of Connor O'Brien, King of Thomond and Annabell Burke.O'Brien married Helen Butler, daughter of Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormonde and Lady Margaret Fitzgerald. Donough O'Brien died on 1 April 1553, after being attacked by...
, and Helen Butler, youngest daughter of Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond. He succeeded to the earldom on the death of his father in April 1553. His right was challenged by his uncle Donnell, who was formally inaugurated O'Brien and chief of the Dal Cais. Obliged to surrender Clonroad, the usual residence of the O'Briens, Conor retired to the castle of Doonmulvihill, on the borders of Galway, where he was besieged by Donnell, but relieved by his kinsman Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond.
Subsequently Donnell petitioned for official recognition as chief of Thomond, and St. Leger
Anthony St Leger (Lord Deputy of Ireland)
Sir Anthony St Leger was Lord Deputy of Ireland during the Tudor period.The eldest son of Ralph St Leger, a gentleman of Kent and Elizabeth Haut. He was educated abroad and at the University of Cambridge. He quickly gained the favour of King Henry VIII, and in 1537 was appointed president of a...
, though unable to grant his request, promised to write to Queen Mary
Mary I of England
Mary I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death.She was the only surviving child born of the ill-fated marriage of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Her younger half-brother, Edward VI, succeeded Henry in 1547...
in his favour. Matters continued in this uncertain state till the summer of 1558, when the Earl of Sussex
Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex
Thomas Radclyffe 3rd Earl of Sussex was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland during the Tudor period of English history, and a leading courtier during the reign of Elizabeth I.- Family:...
, having marched to Limerick with a large army, caused Donnell and Teige
Teige Mac Murrough O'Brien
Teige Mac Murrough O’Brien was a son of Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond and Eleanor fitz John. He was politically and military active as an opponent of the Tudor reconquest of Ireland. Between 1570 and 1571 he was the first sheriff of Thomond.Teige O'Brian had four children:* Honora O'Brian*...
and Donough, sons of Murrough, 1st Earl of Thomond
Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond
Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond was the last King of Thomond.A member of the Irish nobility, he was the son of Turlough O'Brien, King of Thomond and Raghnailt McNamara and also brother of Connor O'Brien, King of Thomond, who was inaugurated King of Thomond in 1528...
, to be proclaimed traitors, and Conor to be reinstated in his possessions. Donnell took refuge with Maguire in Fermanagh, and Teige and Donough found a powerful protector in Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond
Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond
Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond was an Irish nobleman and leader of the Desmond Rebellions of 1579.-Life:...
.
Peace prevailed for a brief season, and Conor won Sussex's approbation for his good execution of justice. But in 1559 Teige and Donough returned to Inchiquin, and not merely defied Conor's efforts to oust them, but, with the assistance of the Earl of Desmond, actually inflicted a sharp defeat on him and his ally, the Earl of Clanricarde, at the Battle of Spancel Hill. Teige was shortly afterwards arrested by Lord-justice William FitzWilliam
William Fitzwilliam (Lord Deputy)
- Early life :FitzWilliam was born at Milton, Northamptonshire, the eldest son of Sir William and grandson of William Fitzwilliam , alderman and sheriff of London, who had been treasurer and chamberlain to Cardinal Wolsey and who purchased Milton in 1506...
, and confined 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...
; but early in 1562 he managed to escape, and, being joined by Donnell, they opposed a formidable army to the Earl of Thomond. With the help of some ordnance lent him by Sussex, Thomond succeeded in wresting Ballyally and Ballycarhy from them; and eventually, in April 1565, after reducing the country to a wilderness, Donnell consented to surrender his claim to the lordship of Thomond on condition of receiving Corcomroe
Corcomroe
Corcomroe is the anglicised form of the tuath of Corco Modhruadh in the north of County Clare on the west coast of Ireland. It is also the name of the obsolete barony which covers the south-western half of this tuath...
. War broke out again in the following year ; but the resources of the combatants were exhausted,and Sidney, when he visited Limerick in April 1567, described it as utterly impoverished owing to the Earl of Thomond's "insufficiency to govern".
The suspicion with which he was regarded made him discontented, and on 8 July 1569 he entered into league with the "arch-rebel" James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald
James FitzMaurice FitzGerald
James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald was a member of the 16th century ruling Geraldine dynasty in the province of Munster in Ireland. He rebelled against the crown authority of Queen Elizabeth I of England in response to the onset of the Tudor conquest of Ireland and was deemed an archtraitor...
(d. 1579). In February 1570 he attacked the President of Connaught, Sir Edward Fitton, at Ennis, and compelled him to seek refuge in Galway. A strong force under the Earl of Ormond was immediately despatched against him, and a few weeks later he submitted unconditionally. But being "seized with sorrow and regret for having surrendered his towns and prisoners", and determined never to "submit himself to the law, or to the mercy of the council of Ireland", he fled in the beginning of June to France.
There he introduced himself on 18 July to Sir Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys
Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys
Henry Norris , Baron Norris belonged to an old Berkshire family, many members of which had held positions at the English court. He was the son of Sir Henry Norreys, who was beheaded for his supposed adultery with Queen Anne Boleyn, and Mary Fiennes Henry Norris (or Norreys), Baron Norris (15257...
, the English ambassador, and, after protesting his loyalty, begged him to intercede with the Queen Elizabeth
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...
for his pardon. Norris, who thought him a "barbarous man", wanting "neither vainglory or deceitfulness, and yet in his talk very simple", soon became aware that he was intriguing with the French court, and urged Elizabeth to coax him home at any price. Elizabeth, though she spoke of him as a "person of small value" and declined to pardon him beforehand, was sufficiently alive to his power to do mischief, and promised if he returned to give his grievances a favourable hearing. But Thomond showed no disposition to leave Paris, and Norris was forced to lend him a hundred crowns and make endless promises before he would consent to take his departure.
He returned to Ireland in December, and, having made public confession of his treason to Sir Henry Sidney
Henry Sidney
Sir Henry Sidney , Lord Deputy of Ireland was the eldest son of Sir William Sidney of Penshurst, a prominent politician and courtier during the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI, from both of whom he received extensive grants of land, including the manor of Penshurst in Kent, which became the...
, he was pardoned. Subsequently, in April 1571, he made surrender of all his lands to the queen. He obtained permission to go to England to solicit their restoration, but, owing to the rebellion of the Earl of Clanricarde's
Richard Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde
Richard Sassanach Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde, died 1582.He was the son of Ulick nagCeann Burke, 1st Earl of Clanricarde and Grace O'Carroll...
sons, his presence was required in Ireland. He won the approval of the lord-deputy and council, and warrant was apparently given in June 1573 for the restoration of his lands. In December 1575 he went to Cork in order to show his respect to the lord-deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, whom he attended to Limerick and Galway, whither the principal men of Thomond repaired to him. "And finding that the mutuall Hurtes and Revenges donne betwixt the Earle and Teige MacMurrough Avas one great Cawse of the Ruyne of the Country", Sidney "bounde theim by Bondes, in great sommes", to surrender their lands, and to submit to the appointment of Donnell, created Sir Donnell O'Brien, as sheriff of the newly constituted county of Clare. This arrangement, though acquiesced in, was naturally displeasing to Thomond, and he was reputed to have said that he repented ever "condescending to the queen's mercy".
The arrangement did not put an end to the disputes between him and Teige, and in 1577 Sir William Drury was compelled to place the county under martial government. Thomond thereupon repaired to England, and on 7 October warrant was issued for a new patent containing the full effect of his former patent, with remainder to his son Donough, baron of Ibrickan
Donogh O'Brien, 4th Earl of Thomond
Donogh O'Brien, 4th Earl of Thomond and Baron of Ibrickan was an Irish nobleman and soldier noted for his loyalty to the English Crown...
. He returned to Ireland about Christmas; but before his arrival, according to the "Four Masters", "the marshal had imposed a severe burden on his people, so that they were obliged to become tributary to the sovereign, and pay a sum of ten pounds for every barony, and this was the first tribute ever paid by the Dal Cais." Thomond, however, seems to have lived on good terms with the new president of Connaught, Sir Nicholas Malby
Nicholas Malby
Sir Nicholas Malby was an English soldier active in Ireland, Lord President of Connaught from 1579 to 1581.-Life:He was born probably about 1530. In 1556 his name appears in a list of persons willing to take part in the plantation of Leix in Ireland...
. He died, apparently, in January 1581, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Donough, baron of Ibrickan and 4th earl of Thomond.
Family
Conor O'Brien, married, first, Ellen (or Eveleen), daughter of Donald MacCormac MacCarthy Mor and widow of James FitzGerald, 14th Earl of DesmondJames FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond
James Fitzgerald, 14th Earl of Desmond , second son of John FitzGerald, de facto 13th Earl of Desmond, and Móre O'Brien, daughter of Donogh O'Brien of Carrigogunnell, Lord of Pobble.-Early years:...
; she died in 1560, and was buried in Muckross Abbey
Muckross Abbey
Muckross Abbey is one of the major ecclesiastical sites found in the Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1448 as a Franciscan friary for the Observantine Franciscans by Donal McCarthy Mor....
: secondly, Una, daughter of Turlough Mac-i-Brien-Ara, by whom he had issue three sons viz.: Donough, his heir; Teige, and Daniel, created 1st Viscount Clare
Daniel O'Brien, 1st Viscount Clare
Daniel O'Brien, 1st Viscount Clare was the younger son of Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond and Una O'Brien....
and three daughters. Honora, first wife of Thomas Fitzmaurice, 18th Lord Kerry
Thomas Fitzmaurice, 18th Baron Kerry
Thomas Fitzmaurice, 18th Baron Kerry and Baron Lixnaw was an Irish military leader in the Nine Years' War.-Life:He was son of Patrick Fitzmaurice, 17th Baron Kerry, whom he followed into rebellion in 1598...
; Margaret, second wife of James Butler, 2nd Lord Dunboyne
Baron Dunboyne
The Barony of Dunboyne was created by patent in the Peerage of Ireland in 1541. The barons are alternately numbered from the early 14th century by numbers ten greater than the number dating to the patent...
; and Mary, wife of Turlough Roe MacMahon of Corcovaskin.