Red Hugh O'Donnell Leaves Ireland for Spain; Hugh O'Neill Withdraws to Ulster

Hugh O’Neill (c. 1550 – 20 July 1616) was an Irish Gaelic lord, Earl of Tyrone (known as the Great Earl) and was later created The Ó Néill Mór, Chief of the Name.

Hugh O’Neill came from a line of the O’Neill dynasty—derbfine—that the English authorities recognized as the legitimate successors to the Chiefs of the O’Neills and to the title of Earl of Tyrone.

O’Neill’s career was played out against the background of the Tudor conquest of Ireland, and he is best known for leading a coalition of Irish clans during the Nine Years’ War, the strongest threat to the House of Tudor in Ireland since the uprising of Silken Thomas against King Henry VIII.

Red Hugh O’Donnell

Red Hugh O’Donnell, a prominent Irish chieftain and a key figure in the rebellion, left Ireland for Spain to seek support from King Philip III. His journey signified a strategic move to gain foreign assistance against English forces in Ireland. The Spanish, who were also opponents of England due to broader European conflicts and religious differences (Catholic Spain vs. Protestant England), were seen as potential allies. O’Donnell’s departure was a significant risk, indicating the desperation and the severity of the Irish struggle for independence.

Hugh O’Neill’s Withdrawal to Ulster:

Meanwhile, Hugh O’Neill, another central figure in the Irish resistance and the Earl of Tyrone, retreated to Ulster. Ulster was a stronghold for the Irish resistance, and O’Neill’s withdrawal there was likely a tactical decision in response to the changing military and political landscape. This move could be seen as a way to consolidate power, protect his base, and possibly re-strategize following setbacks or in anticipation of future conflicts.