EPOCHS IN IRISH HISTORY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1934, 19 March 1891, Page 32

EPOCHS IN IRISH HISTORY.

By R, N. Adamb. No. XXVI. THE GENERAL INSURRECTION. TSB LEADEB. The instigator and leader in this great revolt against law and order was Hugh O'Neill, who owed his life and estates to the personal protection of the English Government. It •was chiefly on account of the part of his father, Matthew O'Neill, being espoused by the English against the claims of Shane O'Neill that the latter, in 1560, raised -the banner of rebellion in Ulster. Hugh was sent to England and there nurtured, educated, and trained in the art of arms as well as in the manners of the court. He ever made loud protestations of his loyalty to the Queen, and had even served in the army against his own countrymen in the Geraldine war. His character is well sketched ia " Cas3eH's History " :— " Hugh O'Neill, the son of Matthew, Baron of Dungannon, the rival of the old Earl of Tyrone, was now in the prime of life —ambitious, daring, subtle, a perfect master of the arts of dissimulation, polished and insinuating in manners. The hostility ot Shane O'Neill made ifc necessary for him to seek the protection of the English Government, which he served in the rebellion of Desmond, distinguishing himself by his ability and valour. He had also conformed to English habits, which, however, he could lay aside whenever it suited his purpose. He seems early to have conceived the design of putting himself afc the head of a national movement against the English rule in Ireland, and in order to secure the aid of the Pope and the King of Spain, he resolved to become the champion of the Catholic cause. It was essential to his success that he should have the prestige of the O'Neill, and that he should obtain the title of Earl of Tyrone. Accordingly he artfully managed, by earnest professions of attachment to the Queen and her policy, to secure the opportunities and the position which were necessary for accomplishing his plan." The title was granted by the Irish Parliament, but the inheritance being vested in the Crown he was referred to her Majesty on that matter. "He repaired to London, and plied the mind of Elizabeth with such arguments as he knew would be most effective. He implored her to abolish the title of tJie O'Neill, lamented the indisposition of the people to English civilisation, and assured her that if his suit were granted he could do much to accomplish her favourite objects. He returned with letters patent, conferring on him both the title and the inheritance." So thoroughly had this unscrupulous man convinced the Government that he had no purpose in view but that of an honest and loyal subject that he was entrusted with the control of a military force, which he drilled after the English fashion with 'diligent care, but in such a manner as to secure that every man within his territories was thoroughly trained to military discipline. While thus pretending: tobe England's friend, he- was all the while laying in large stores of amunition, arms, and necessaries of war, and secretly storing them in private magazines. He was in constant correspondence with Philip of Spain and the Pope, who were steadily providing means to do their part in the rising that was about, to take place under O'Neill'.s direction. While he was unremittingly pursuing his plans for the rebellion, he was as unceasing in his pains to give procf of his loyalty to the Qneen by deeds of arms and services of state. THE EAEIi TJNVEI&EP. Rumours were constantly reaching the court of the earl's connection with the Spaniards, of his connection with agitations in different places, and of the great military preparations he had made throughout Ulster. The conspiiacy between the Popa and Philip of Spain was no secret. The Armada had been a failure, and now the same purpose was sought, to be accomplished by the invasion of Ireland, and circumstances developed in such a manner as to prove that the Earl of Tyrone was implicated in the conspiracy. In 1594 Sir W. Russell, the new viceroy, was directed to turn his attention to O'NV»iii, as the " head of the incipient rebellion " Like most of the English governors, Russell sought to effect his purpose by »' moral snasioD," and other schemes of infi'i"nci"e O'Neill's mind, rather than declaring war upon him in. To this the earl willingly v o sented, for he was always ready jx> make £xea promises and vehement protestations

of loyalty, for by these means he gained time, while he never ceased to press on with his chief design. He was of course reluctant to allow things to assume a serious shape until he was sure of the supplies from Spain.