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Tour of Benburb sites
International Commemoration of the Earls in Rome
The Rebellion of Sir Cahir O Doherty
Call for overlooked site of key battle to get ‘Boyne treatment’
Programme of Events 2008

Tour of Benburb sites

THE PLANTATION BAWN & BENBURB HISTORICAL SITES

SATURDAY 07 JUNE 2008 at 3.00pm BENBURB PRIORY

We invite you to step back in time to visit The Plantation Bawn and Historical Sites in Benburb (including a visit to the site of The Battle of Benburb during 1646).

Visit a Plantation Church (Benburb Church of Ireland) and walk through the picturesque grounds of Benburb Priory (formerly the Summer home of James Bruce built during the 1800’s) to visit The Plantation Bawn (Lord Powerscourt’s former Summer home) and near the site of the earlier Fort of Shane O Neill during the 1500’s.

This will be followed by a walk to visit the historical site of the Battle of Benburb during 1646

The evening will conclude with a BBQ at “The Bottle of Benburb” at 7.00 pm, followed by an evening of poetry, music and song associated with the 1646 battle
Entrance fee to Tours and BBQ of £10
Entrance fee to afternoon Tours only of £3

Posted - Mon, 26th May 2008 at 21:56

International Commemoration of the Earls in Rome

O Neills from many parts of Europe and the USA were joined last weekend in Rome by Cardinal Sean Brady, John Hume, and the Irish ambassadors to Italy, the Vatican and Switzerland, as well as leading Irish women poets to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the arrival of the Irish leaders Hugh O Neill, the O Donnell, the Maguire and some family members along with other prominent and trusted Irish families, in Rome. Cardinal Sean Brady travelled specially to Rome to celebrate a special High Mass on Sunday, along with many priests from the Irish College, at San Pietro in Montorio - where the burying-places and inscriptions for O Neill, his son Hugh, Ruairi O Donnell and his brother Cathbar, occupy very prominent places.
Over the three days of events there were poetry readings on the theme of "the Flight of the Earls", particularly with reference to the womenfolk of the flight, given by Nuala Ní Dhomnaill, Medbh McGuckian, and Eileen Ní Chuileannan, a special performance of "The Running Beast" performed and written by leading writer-performer Dónal Ó Kelly, and a traditional concert given by "Teada" and seán-nós singer Róisin Elsafti. A very unusual and possibly unique event was the concert by the 160-strong youth Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland, including the world premier of “The O’Neill Suite” by Brian Byrne with Lambeg drums by Willie Drennan, which was held in San Ignazio’s Jesuit Church! There were historical talks given by leading academics, Elizabeth Fitzpatrick and John McCavitt, and John McCourt. Receptions for the descendants of the O Neill clan and others in attendance in the Irish Embassy, the Irish Embassy to the Vatican and the military college, the Palazzo Salviati, where the Irish leaders lived for some time. A cocktail reception was also held in the Columbus Hotel, where the Earls had also stayed, and a black-tie dinner was held in the Villa Doria Pamphili where, after a tour of the magnificent art of the villa, the descendants of the noble O Neill clan from France, Spain, Portugal, USA, Canada and Ireland mingled with various dignitaries including John Hume, William McCarter and a Prince of the Borghese, whose family still occupy part of the villa.


It was appropriate that this very significant event be celebrated with great honour as Hugh, "the Great" O Neill was seen in the late 16th and early 17th centuries as a very important figure, a very successful military leader and politician and strategist, whose momentous victories against Queen Elizabeth 1st's armies had caused great cheering and celebrations in Spain, Italy and France. On this occasion, the gathering, which was initially organised by the O Neill Summer School in Antrim, and also by the Irish Embassy in Rome, included the leader of the Antrim Clandeboye O Neills, Dom Hugo O Neill of Portugal and many members of his family. There were many Irish in attendance, including representatives of Dungannon and Cookstown District Councils, and a representation from the O Neill Country Historical Society.


The Irish leaders seeking refuge and help were welcomed in April 1608 and given great honour by the Pope and the Cardinals and were hosted by noble families. They had finally arrived after years of war, treachery and assassination in Tudor-controlled Ireland, an arduous voyage where they encountered very mixed fortunes, being blown off course to France, being hosted and welcomed with great honour in various towns in France and Belgium, having their progress constantly watched and where possible, impeded by English spies, having to cross the frozen Alps in winter, and losing all their money in an accident in Switzerland. Many members of the noble party also fell ill and died in Belgium and Italy, while younger members had been unjustly imprisoned at home, and others assassinated in the Netherlands and Spain. The O Neill, O Donnell and other clans who had remained loyal to the Irish cause, saw the trip abroad, intentionally Spain, as a refuge - in a time of great danger - and a way of gathering financial, political and military support, primarily from Spain, to continue the fight for national sovereignty and freedom at home. From their newfound refuge in Rome, O Neill continued the struggle to win help from Europe, spied upon and impeded all the while by English intrigue. With his death in 1616, the efforts at regaining the freedom from oppression for the Irish race also disappeared, temporarily, but the momentous struggle and the character of the exiled Irish chieftains, particularly the Great O Neill, have continued to inspire many hearts and minds at home and abroad







Front Row (l-r) Irish ambassadors Sean O’hUiginn (Italy), James Sharkey (Switzerland), Noel Fahey (Holy See) with Bridget and Brendan McAnallen, Brian Gilmore (O'Neill Country Historical Society);

Back row : Jim Cavanagh and Bertie McMinn of Dungannon and District Borough Council and Michael McGuckian and James McGarvey of Cookstown District Council at reception at Palazzo Salviati, Rome to commemorate the 400th anniversary of arrival in Rome of Hugh O'Neill and the Earls in April 1608.
Cardinal Sean Brady with (l-r) Fr Dermot McCaul, Brendan McAnallen, Brian Gilmore and Bridget McAnallen (O'Neill Country Historical Society) outside the Church of San Pietro in Montorio in Rome, where the Earls are interred.




Posted - Thur, 01st May 2008 at 21:00

The Rebellion of Sir Cahir O Doherty

The “1608 Rebellion of Sir Cahir O’Doherty” will be described in an illustrated talk by Brian Gilmore in the Court House in Caledon on Wednesday 14th May at 8pm.

The events in counties Armagh and Tyrone leading to the revolt of the O’Hanlons, the burning of Kinard Castle (Caledon) and the subsequent negotiations by Chichester to have the remaining armed combatants transported to Sweden will be described.

This rebellion by the “Queen’s O’Doherty”, who had fought alongside the English army and provided loyal service to the Crown, was to have far reaching effects on the plans for the Plantation of Ulster.

Everyone is welcome to attend this event by the O'Neill Country Historical Society. Light refreshments served.
Posted - Wed, 20th Feb 2008 at 21:45

Call for overlooked site of key battle to get ‘Boyne treatment’

Taken from the Irish News, 14th January 2008

Call for overlooked site of key battle to get ‘Boyne treatment’
By Rebecca Black

With Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and First Minister Ian Paisley having shaken hands at the site of the Battle of the Boyne last year in the name of shared heritage, campaigners are now calling for the goodwill to be extended to another key battle in Irish history.

The Battle of Yellow Ford, which took place near Blackwatertown in Co Armagh, may not be as well known as the Boyne but has been described by academics as the greatest victory of an Irish force over an English army.

It took place on August 14 1598 and saw an army under Hugh O’Neill defeat his bitter rival Marshal Henry Bagenal to lay claim over much of counties Armagh and Down.

The victory put O’Neill in an enormously strong position, having defeated the stoutest of the English forces in Ireland, and historians say he could have been at the gates of Dublin that evening to claim lordship over the whole island.

O’Neill was instead later forced to flee the country. The battle is also noted for the carefully thought-out strategy of the Irish which allowed them to overcome bigger horses and superior weapons.

Brendan Duffy, chairman of the O’Neill Country Historical Society, is frustrated that the site has not been afforded more recognition.
“A lot of people outside of Ireland have come to recognise this place but they can’t find it when they try to visit it,” he said.

“Ian Paisley and Bertie Ahern made history when they met at the site of the Battle of the Boyne and Paisley was promised that the battlefield would be properly signposted, so why can’t the gesture be reciprocated in the north with the greatest victory on Irish soil by Irishmen being properly signposted and promoted?”

A group of enthusiasts are lobbying Armagh District Council to provide signposting for the battlefield and information about the battle.
They also have their eye on establishing a multi-county Yellow Ford tour which would in-clude Henry Bagenal’s castle in Newry, the battlefield, the ford under dispute and Hugh O’Neill’s dwelling in Dungannon which was recently the focus of a dig by archaeologists from Channel 4’s Time Team.

Every year the society organised a walking tour of the site based on its own research. “We get people from across Ireland – as far away as Cork and Mayo – as well as bus loads of Canadians and Americans taking part,” Mr Duffy said.
“Here we have this historical treasure but no-one can find it.”

The society has members around the world and regularly publishes academic journals with latest research into the battle – the most recent was published last Friday.

It can be purchased at www.oneillcountryhistoricalsociety.com


Posted - Mon, 28th Jan 2008 at 13:46

Programme of Events 2008

Date	Event
25 Jan	Scots Gaelic and the Ulster Scots Tradition - Songs and Poems for Burns' Night with Rev. Eric Culbertson & Piper In The Bottle of Benburb at 8pm. An evening of entertainment with musicians. Haggis served.
12 Feb	Charlemont Estate Letters 1880 - 1920 by Sean Barden In the Methodist Hall, Moy at 8 pm.
14 Mar	From the Annals to the Screen: The Flight of the Earls by Antaine Ó Donnaile In the Grange GFC Club at 8 pm. Talk will be followed by an evening of traditional music.
22 Apr	The Laws concerning the Poor by Rev. John Batchelor In the Methodist Hall, Moy at 8 pm.
14 May	The Rebellion of Sir Cahir Ó Doherty 1608 by Brian Gilmore In the Court House, Caledon at 8 pm.
7 Jun at 3:00pm Benburb Priory	Talk followed by tour of the ancient sites of Benburb & Plantation Bawn The celebration continues at 7:00pm with a BBQ followed by an evening of poetry, music and songs associated with the 1646 battle In The Bottle of Benburb .
28 Jun	Society Outing: Tour to South Armagh & Louth is CANCELLED due insufficient interest. .
2 Aug	The Battle of the Yellow Ford 1598 Talk and tour by Paul Logue In the Grange GFC Club at 1.30pm.
17 Sept	The Wild Geese of Armagh and Tyrone by Eoghan Ó hAnnracháin In Benburb Priory at 8pm. Talk will be followed by an evening of traditional music.
14 Oct	Settlers, Invaders and Cultural Identity by Roddy Hegarty In the Methodist Hall, Moy at 8.30pm. Preceded by AGM commencing at 7.30pm sharp.
12 Nov	"Me an' Me Da" - The Life and Times of W.F.Marshall A night of ballads, verse and craic with Seamus Shields In The Bottle of Benburb at 8pm.
5 Dec	Gaeilge Thír Eoghain i measc chanúintí na Gaeilge - Tyrone Irish among other dialects. A talk in English by Dr Art J Hughes In the Brantry Bard at 8pm. Talk will be followed by an evening of traditional music.

Posted - Fri, 28th Dec 2007 at 17:44