Enri Mac Eoghain Ui Neill

Henry O'Neill, also known as Enri Mac Eoghain Ui Neill, died in 1489, chief of the Cineal Eoghain,he was the son of Eoghan O'Neill and Caitrions, the daughter of Ardghal MacMahon.Henry O'Neill, in 1431, was taken prisoner by Neachtan O’Donnell, who released him as one of the conditions of peace with Eoghan O'Neill. This peace did not last long, since in 1435, Neachtan O'Donnell and Brian og O’Neill, decided to start an alliance and attack Eoghan O’Neill. When Eoghan O'Neill and his sons Henry and Eoghan og O'Neill, found out about the Brian O'Neill and O'Donnell alliance, and plans to attack his territory. Eoghan O'Neill and his two sons marched into O'Donnell's territory. At the start O'Donnell attacked and drove them out, of his territory, and occupied it again with his forces of MacSuibhne of Fanad galloglasses’ and his clansmen. Henry O’Neill was not satisfied of what had happened, and he made a speech to rally his O'Neill clansmen and the MacDonnell gallowglasses. They went back into O'Donnell's territory and drove them out,during the battle the O'Donnell gallowglass clan the MacSuibhne of Fanad, held their ground this gave time,for the O'Donnell's and Brian O'Neill to retreated eastwards with the possible intent to reach the Fanad, but they were defeated and taken prisoner by Henry O'Neill. Brian O'Neill and his two sons went to Henry O'Neill to gain favor from him by offering the O'Donnell castle of Ballyshannon. Henry O'Neill greeted Brian O’Neill by cutting off one foot and one hand from each, of Brian O'Neill's sons, and both of his sons died at once. In 1439, Henry O'Neill marched to Portora on Lough Erne, and released the chief of the Maguires that had been made a prisoner in his own castle. In 1442, Henry O'Neill allied himself with the English, and again went to war, defeating Neachtan O'Donnell then taking castle Finn, in Co.Donegal from O'Donnell. This same year he allied himself with the MacQuillin's, and fought against Aodh Buidh O'Neill of the Clannaboy, but was severely defeated by the Clannaboy O’Neill’s, and had to give up his son Aedh as a hostage. In 1450 with his strong alliance with the MacQuillin's again went against the Clannaboy O'Neill's this time loosing his son Nial, who was slain by his cousin Henry, the great grandson of Henry Aimhreidh O'Neill. Two years later in 1452, Henry O'Neill goes to help his father versus the McMahon, who had slain the McDonnell, chief of the O'Neill galloglasses. Even marriage involved war, Henry O'Neill, was married the daughter of MacMurchadha, a step sister of the Earl of Ormonde, but Henry O'Neill, for some time had been living with Baintreabhach O'Donnell, the widow of Neachtan O'Donnell, who was also the daughter of MacWilliam Burke. This did not fair well with the Earl of Ormonde, and then marched to O'Neill's territory and demanded he take back his step sister. In 1455, he deposed of his senile father, and was inaugurated the O'Neill at Tullahoge, in the presence of the O'Neill's and the Archbishop of Armagh. In 1456, yet again went to war with the O'Donnells,and established Toirdhealbhach Cairbrech as their new chief, with whom he now allied himself with and they both plundered the lower areas of Connaught and Breifne. In 1459, with an English alliance he tried to take over castle Omagh from Sliocht Airt Ui Neill, but they failed and instead made peace. In 1463, King Edward the IV, King of England, recognized Henry O’Neill, chief king of Ireland, and sent him forty eight yards of scarlet cloth, a chain of gold, and various other presents. From 1464 to 1470, Henry O'Neill, with his MacQuillin alliance plundered and burned Donegal, as far as the Ballyshannon, in 1467 ravaged the O'Cahan territory in Co. Derry, in 1470; Henry O'Neill and MacQuillin invaded the Clannaboy O'Neill's and captured the castle of Sgathdierge on Skettrick Island. In 1471, Henry O'Neill seized the castle of Omagh, and then in 1476, plundered Tirbreasail, Co.Donegal. Then again attacked the Clannaboy O'Neill's and demolished their castle in Belfast. Then in 1479 and 1480, he spent his time plundering Donegal, and in 1483, he retired and had his son Con, inaugurated chief of the Cineal Eoghain. In 1489, Henry O'Neill died in retirement after countless years of wars. - By M.A.O'Neill