Ulster Historical Time Line
The following is a list of chapters from the four volume, epic history of Ulster written by Ramsey Colles almost 100 years ago, fittingly entitled, "The History of Ulster".
Fortunately for us a history of Ulster finnished in 1920 still leaves us with a significant amount of history to explore before that!
I have added rough dates to each of the chapters (this wasn't provided in the original) so you can just dip in and out to periods your interested in at your leisure, rather than read the whole lot from start to finnish, as it's author intended.
The Early Irish - Pre-history to around 450 AD
Prehistoric Ireland - Fiction and Fact - The Irish an Aryan Celtic Race - The Milesian Invasion - Kimbaoth, King of Ulster - Thuathal, King of the North - Finn McCumhal and the Fenians - Niall of the Nine Hostages - St. Patrick in Ulster - Converts Dichu, an Ulster Chief - Builds First Church at Saul, near Downpatrick - Benignus his Coadjutor in Archdiocese of Armagh - St. Patrick converts Laeghaire, King of Ulster and Ardri or Over-King of Ireland.
Religion and Law in Early Ireland - 5th Century AD
The Kingdoms or Provinces of Ireland - The King of Ulster undisputed Over-King - The Country never a United Ireland - The O'Neills of the Royal Family of Ulster - St. Patrick's Predilection for Ulster Mode of Government in Fifth Century - The Brehon Laws Revised by St. Patrick at Request of the King of Ulster - The Book of Acaill - Lawless State of the Country.
The Mission of St. Columba - 521 - 824 AD
St. Columba a Member of the Royal House of Ulster - He founds a Church in Derry - Responsible for the Battle of Cuildrevne, " The Battle of the Books" - Repairs to lona - The Conversion of Northumbria - St. Columba returns to Ireland - Attends the Convention of Drum Ketta in Derry - The Boru Tribute - The Battle of Moyrath (Moira) - The Coming of the Danes.
The Scandinavian Scourge - 850 - 1160 AD
The Northern Pirates - Internal Dissensions - A New Leader, Malachy II - Brian Boru - His Treachery to Malachy - Becomes Ardri - The Boru Tribute enforced - Fatal Results - Rise of the Danes - Battle of Clontarf - Death of Brian - Restoration and Death of Malachy.
Change and Decay - 1160's AD
Retrogression of the Irish after the Battle of Clontarf - Lack of Patriotism - Wars of Septs - Dermot McMurrougli Murtagfh O'Lougiilin - Battle of Ardee - Eochy MacDunlevy, King of Ulster - Roderick O'Conor and Tiernan O'Rourke - Defeat of Dermot - Death of Murtagh O'Loughlin.
The Betrayal of Ireland - 1167 - 1170 AD
Dermot's Dilemma - His Flight to England - Applies to Henry II for Assistance - Meets Strongbow - Engages FitzStephen - Returns to Ireland - FitzStephen lands - Besieges Wexford - Dermot attacks Ossory - Comes to Terms with Roderick O'Conor and Tiernan O'Rourke - Maurice FitzGerald arrives - Strongbow sends Le Gros.
The Anglo-Norman Invasion - 1170 AD
Dermot again King of Leinster - Strongbow arrives - Fall of Waterford - Marriage of Strongbow and Eva - The Taking of Dublin - Death of Dermot - Strongbow's Struggles for Supremacy - King Henry's Demands - Danish Attack on Dublin defeated.
King Henry in Ireland - 1170 - 1176 AD
The Aloofness of Ulster - Cinel Connel and Cinel Owen - Strongbow and King: Henry - Henry visits Ireland - His Sojourn in Dublin - His Departure for Normandy - The Treaty of Windsor - Raymond's Romance - Death of Strongbow.
The Earldom of Ulster - 1178 - 1205 AD
FitzAudelin appointed Procurator - Arrival of John de Courcy - He enters Ulster and takes Downpatrick - Defeats MacDunlevy, King of Ulster - Battle of Down - Prince John visits Ireland - His Mission a Failure - De Courcy's Doings in Ulster - His Lands confiscated - Hugh de Lacy created Earl of Ulster.
King John in Ulster - 1208 - 1216 AD
The Earl of Ulster's Predatory Expeditions - King John's Second Visit to Ireland - Pursues De Lacy into Ulster - Seizes Castles at Carlingford and Carrickfergus - Aedh O'Neill aids the King - Gradual Blending of "Englishry" and "Irishry" - John de Gray, the Justiciar, invades Ulster - Repelled by O'Neill - The Scottish Colony in Ulster - Death of John.
Ulster and the Bruce Invasion - 1226 - 1318 AD
Richard de Burgh, the Red Earl of Ulster - War between Tirconnell and Tirowen - Battle of Drumcliff - Godfrey O'Donnell's Heroism - Felim O'Conor joins Brian O'Neill - Edward Bruce invited by Ulster to invade Ireland - Joined by O'Neill and O'Conor - The Earl of Ulster defeated - Bruce crowned King of Ireland - Arrival of Robert the Bruce - Terrible State of the Country - Defeat and Death of Edward Bruce.
Ulster Independent - 1318 - 1361 AD
Sufferings of Ulster Colonists - Death of the Red Earl of Ulster - Succeeded by the Brown Earl - The O'Neills of Clanaboy - Amalgamation of "Englishry" and "Irishry" - Ulster lost to the English - Murder of the Brown Earl of Ulster - Sir Ralph Ufford, Lord Justice Lionel, Duke of Clarence, Earl of Ulster and Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.
O'Neill, Prince of Ulster - 1367 - 1434 AD
The Statute of Kilkenny - Ulster's Petty Wars - O'Neill attacks Dundalk and becomes Undisputed Chief of Ulster - Art McMurrough of Leinster - Richard II visits Ireland - O'Neill, "Prince of the Irishry in Ulster", submits - The O'Donnells and the O'Neills combine against the English - O'Neill, Lord Paramount of Ulster.
An Able Viceroy - 1449 - 1452 AD
Richard, Duke of York, Earl of Ulster, Lord-Lieutenant - His Policy of Conciliation - O'Neill does him Homage - Is attacked by MacGeoghegan - Ormonde invades Ulster - Richard slain at Battle of St. Albans - Accession of Edward IV - The O'Donnells and O'Doghertys - Thomas, Earl of Kildare, Lord-Lieutenant - His Sister marries Henry O'Neill of Tirovven - Conn O'Neill marries Daughter of Kildare, and becomes Liege Subject of the King.
The New Legislation - 1494 - 1504 AD
The Solitariness of Ulster - The O'Neills and O'Donnells ignore Simnel Gerald, eighth Earl of Kildare - His Alliances with Ulster Chiefs - Poynings' Arrival - His March into Ulster - Parliament at Drogheda passes Poynings' Act - Turlough O'Neill and Hugh Roe O'Donnell - Battle of Knockdoe - Death of Hugh Roe O'Donnell - The Polite Letter Writer!
Progress of Ulster - 1510 - 1529 AD
Accession of Henry VIII - O'Donnell visits James IV of Scotland - Death of Gerald, eighth Earl of Kildare - Earl of Surrey Lord-Lieutenant - O'Neill submits to the King - Battle of Knockavoe - Gerald, ninth Earl of Kildare, Lord Deputy - Duke of Richmond Lord-Lieutenant - Nial Oge O'Neill - Sir William Skeffington Lord Deputy - John Allen Archbishop of Dublin Kildare reappointed.
The Geraldine Revolt - 1509 - 1539 AD
Henry VIII and his Views on Ireland - Conn O'Neill and John FitzGerald - Leagues of Desolation - O'Donnell's Treaty with England - Kildare superseded - The Rebellion of Lord Offaly; " Silken Thomas " - Murder of Alen - Skeffington reappointed - Manus O'Donnell's Friendship with Conn O'Neill - Battle of Lake Bellahoe.
The Submission of Ulster - 1540 AD
King Henry's Policy - Lord Gray superseded - Sir Anthony St. Leger, Lord Deputy - O'Donnell addresses the King - His Submission - St. Leger's Attack on O'Neill - His Journey into Tirowen - O'Neill the last to submit - Asks to be made Earl of Ulster - Is refused and created Earl of Tyrone - Introduction of Protestantism into Ulster.
The Policy of Conciliation - 1542 - 1550 AD
Investiture of O'Neill as Earl of Tyrone - Success of Henry's Policy - His Dealings with Church and Land - A Peaceful Ireland - The Scottish Element in Ulster - Death of Henry VIII - Accession of Edward VI - Policy of the Seymours - The Protectorate St. Legfer recalled - Succeeded by Sir Edward Bellingham - Machinations of the French - Disturbances in Ulster - Sir James Crofts, Lord Justice - All Ulster in Confusion.
The Religious Element - 1543 - 1551 AD
The Act of Uniformity - Is followed by "Hurley-hurleys" - Appointment of Dowdall as Primate - His Rival the "Blind Bishop" - Tyrone's Letter to King of France - Rebellion brewing in Ulster - Brereton's Independent Action - Tyrone complains Brereton sacrificed - Introduction of the Liturgy Conference in Dublin - Dowdall, Archbishop of Armagh, expostulates - The Primacy removed to Dublin - Sir James Cusack's Survey of Ireland - His Report on Ulster.
Bad Money and Misery - 1550's AD
The Introduction of "Brass Money" - Misery of Ireland in Consequence - The New Imposition called " Cess " - Rise of Prices - Crying down the Coinage - Death of Edward VI - Accession of Mary - Fall of the Earl of Tyrone - Rise of Shane O'Neill - War in Ulster - Defeat of the Baron of Dungannon - Shane O'Neill triumphant.
The Scots in Ulster - 1556 - 1559 AD
Earl of Sussex, Lord Deputy - Incursions of the Scots - Calvagh O'Donnell imprisons his Father - Shane O'Neill aids Sussex - O'Donnell defeats O'Neill - Dowdall's Strictures on Sussex - The Scots attacked by the Lord Deputy - Death of the Baron of Dungannon - And of Conn O'Neill, first Earl of Tyrone - State of the Irish - Death of Mary.
Shane O'Neill and the Crown - 1550's AD
The Crown defied by Shane O'Neill - He claims the Sovereignty of all Ulster - He is visited by the Lord Justice, Sir Henry Sidney - Shane's Claims considered by the Crown - Elizabeth declares in his Favour - And alters her Decision - O'Neill attacks and captures O'Donnell - He invades Breffhy - Sussex, the Lord-Lieutenant, invades Tyrone - His Forces defeated by Shane.
O'Neill the Great visits Elizabeth - 1567 AD
Shane summoned to the Court of Elizabeth - His Letter to the Queen - Sussex attempts to get Shane murdered - Shane prepares to submit - His Terms of Submission - He sails from Dublin - Received on his Arrival in London by Cecil, Pembroke, and Bacon - He appears before Elizabeth - Received graciously by the Queen - He is detained in England - Corresponds with Elizabeth.
Shane again in Ulster - 1563 AD
The Young Baron of Dungannon slain - Shane O'Neill returns to Ulster - He calls on the Ulster Chieftains to submit - O'Donnell and Maguire refuse - O'Neill attacks them - Sussex attempts to entrap him, but fails - The Ulster Chieftains complain of Shane's Conduct - Sussex again invades Ulster - Failure of the Expedition.
Sussex v. Shane - 1563 - 1566 AD
The Lord-Lieutenancy of Sussex a Failure - The Proposal of Sir Thomas Cusack - Shane's Rule in Ulster - He annihilates the Scots of Antrim - Cusack and O'Neill sign Indentures at Benburb - An Attempt to poison Shane - Sir Nicholas Arnold - Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy - Death of James MacDonald - Shane invades Connaught - He declines to meet Sidney.
Sir Henry Sidney and Shane O'Neill - 1556 AD
Shane allies himself to Argyll - Stukeley and Dowdall visit O'Neill - His defiant Attitude - Sidney applies to England for Men and Money - Shane appeals to France for help - Troops from England land at Lough Foyle and fortify Derry - Sidney marches North and sweeps the Country.
Death of Shane O'Neill - 1556 - 1557 AD
The "First Beginnings" of Derry - O'Neill writes to Cardinals of Lorraine and Guise - The Black Death in Derry - Hugh O'Donnell defeats O'Neill - Shane repairs to the Scots of Clanaboy, and is murdered - A Great Irishman.
Attempted Plantation - 1567 - 1573 AD
Cost of the War with O'Neill - Sidney's stern Rule - Turlough Lynnagh submits - Parliament at Dublin - Ulster made Shire-land - Peace in Ulster - The Plantation Spirit starts - Walter Devereux, Earl of Essex, appointed President of Ulster - He petitions Elizabeth for Lands in Clanaboy, and sails for Carrickfergus.
Essex in Ulster - 1572 - 1575 AD
The Earl of Essex and others land at Carrickfergus - Their Colonization Scheme a Failure - Essex appointed Governor of Ulster - The Severity of his Treatment of the Irish - Entraps Sir Brian MacPhelim and executes him - Massacres the Refugees on Rathlin Island - Sir Henry Sidney returns - Death of Essex.
"Scotching" the Scot - 1575 - 1584 AD
Ulster at Rest - Hugh O'Donnell seeks Aid from Spain - A Succession of Viceroys - Sir John Perrot appointed Lord Deputy - Perrot's Popularity - Turlogh O'Neill's Friendliness - Sorley Boy and the Scots - Perrot marches against the Scots - A false Alarm - The Scots invade Ulster in force - Sorley Boy, defeated, flies to Scotland.
The New Earl of Tyrone - 1585 - 1592 AD
Hugh O'Neill, Baron of Dungannon, becomes Earl of Tyrone - State of the Army in Ulster - Tyrone and Sir Hugh O'Donnell - Hugh Roe O'Neill kidnapped by Perrot - Sorley Boy finally surrenders - Sir John Perrot gives up Office - Turlogh Lynnagh accompanies him to the boat, and sheds tears on his Departure - Death of Perrot in the Tower.
State of Ulster: Civil and Military - 1588 AD
FitzWilliam again Deputy - State of the Army - Violence and Greed of the Soldiery - Wretchedness of the People - Ulster as described by a Survivor of the Armada - An Avaricious, Cruel Viceroy - His Treacherous Conduct towards Two Ulster Chieftains - MacMahon is betrayed and judicially murdered by him.
Martial Law in Ulster - 1560's - 1590 AD
The Family of O'Neill - The O'Donnell Family - FitzWilliam's Cruel and Treacherous Methods - Hugh Gavlagh hanged by Tyrone - The Irish Chieftain's Complaints to the Crown - Edmund Hugh Maguire's Fate - His Head used as a Football - Tyrone repairs to England - His Submission the Prelude to a Storm.
Coming Events - 1585 - 1592 AD
Disputes and Agreements between Turlough Lynnagh and Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone - The Earl's Education in England - FitzWilliam interferes in the Disputes - "Sir Tir" wounded - "The Dutiful Old Knight" - Hugh Roe O'Donnell escapes from Dublin - Description of his Journey homewards - Art MacShane dies from Exposure.
Tyrone becomes "The O'Neill" - 1590 - 1593 AD
The Earl of Tyrone elopes with the Knight Marshal's Sister - Sir Henry Bagenal's hatred of Tyrone reciprocated - Turlough Lynnagh surrenders Chieftaincy of County Tyrone - The Earl becomes "The O'Neill" - Troubles in Fermanagh - Sir Hugh O'Donnell resigns in favour of his son, Hugh Roe - Tyrone's Last Aid to the English.
Wars and Rumours of War - 1593 - 1594 AD
Trouble in Fermanagh - The Siege of Enniskillen - The Ford of Biscuits - FitzWilliam resigns - Appointment of Sir William Russell - Tyrone appears before Special Commissioners - Elizabeth and Tyrone - Bagenal accuses Tyrone of Disloyalty - Tyrone challenges Bagenal - State Papers on Tyrone.
Tyrone proclaimed Traitor - 1594 - 1595 AD
Contrasted Attitudes of Shane O'Neill and Tyrone - Numerical Strength of Royal and Irish Forces - Tyrone declares his Independence - Sir John Norris, Commander of the Forces, arrives - War in Ulster commences - Tyrone proclaimed' a Traitor - O'Donnell makes Incursions into Connaught - Battle of Clontibert - Turlough Lynnagh dies, and leaves Tyrone Chief of Ulster.
Negotiations ad nauseam! - 1595 - 1596 AD
Negotiations between Confederated Chiefs and Her Majesty's Commissioners - They meet in an Open Field - The Irish Chieftains formulate their Demands - Tyrone asks for Aid from Spain - Differences between Russell and Norris - Fresh Negotiations - Fenton and Norris meet Tyrone and O'Donnell - The Demands of the Irish - The Lord Deputy fears Treachery.
Tyrone's Catholic Crusade - 1596 - 1597 AD
Spanish Aid for Ulster arrives at Killybegs - Tyrone sends the King of Spain's Letter for Inspection to the Lord Deputy - It is retained despite a Promise to return - Connaught invaded by O'Donnell - Tyrone starts a Catholic Crusade - His Manifesto to Roman Catholics - Sir William Russell retires - Thomas, Lord Burgh appointed Lord Deputy - He arrives in Dublin - Sir John Norris retires - Lamentable State of the Pale.
"The Tide of Battle" - 1597 AD
War declared against Tyrone - Siege of Ballyshanwon - Siege of Blackwater Fort - Death of Lord Burgh - Death of Sir John Norris - O'Donnell's Depredations in Connaught - Trouble at Carrickfergus - Belfast taken by Shane MacBrian O'Neill - James MacSorley, son of Sorley Boy, and his brother Randal - Sir John Chichester killed - The Council appoint Sir Thomas Norris - The Queen appoints Lord Ormonde Lieutenant-General - Tyrone submits.
Tyrone in the Ascendant - 1597 - 1598 AD
Negotiations between Elizabeth and Tyrone continue - Tyrone pardoned - He refuses to accept the proffered Pardon - Francis Bacon advises Robert, Earl of Essex, to interest himself in Ireland - Tyrone besieges Williams in Blackwater Fort - Sufferings of the Garrison - The Knight Marshal, Sir Henry Bagenal, marches to relieve the Fort - He is slain at the Battle of the Yellow Ford - Total Defeat of the English - Tyrone hailed as the Saviour of his Country.
After the Battle of the Yellow Ford - 1598 - 1599 AD
Tyrone looks to Spain for help - After the Battle of the Yellow Ford - The English and Irish Forces compared - Loftus and Gardiner write to Tyrone - The Queen's Anger - The Garrisons of Armagh and Blackwater capitulate - Death of Sir Richard Bingham - Sir Samuel Bagenal appointed Marshal - O'Donnell's Depredations - Ormonde helpless - Robert, Earl of Essex, appointed Lord-Lieutenant.
"The Real King of Ireland" - 1599 AD
Essex's Administration - His Fatuity - The Futility of his Methods - Death of Sir Thomas Norris - Essex marches South - His Campaign in Munster - Death of Sir Henry Norris - Sir Conyers Clifford directed to relieve Coloony Castle - Defeated by O'Rourke and O'Donnell - Dies on the Field - Submission of O'Conor Sligo to Tyrone.
The Errors of Essex - 1599 AD
Essex's Lamentable Lethargy - The "War-lords" declare against War! - The Queen's Anger at the Delays - Essex musters a New Army and gets Reinforcements from England - He leaves Dublin for Farney - A Conference between Essex and Tyrone - Egregious Behaviour of the Viceroy - Tyrone wins the Day - Sir John Harrington's pretty Picture of Tyrone among his own People.
The Downfall of Essex - 1599 AD
The curious Character of Essex - His Correspondence with Elizabeth - She disapproves of his Conduct - Essex leaves Ireland - He repairs to Court - Elizabeth receives him graciously - Sir William Warren and Tyrone Tyrone concludes the Truce - Lord Mountjoy appointed Lord Deputy - Arrives with Sir George Carew at Howth - Tyrone's Depredations in the South.
Mountjoy's Methods - 1600 AD
Sir George Carew appointed President of Munster - Sir Henry Docwra given Command at Lough Foyle - Death of Tyrone's son-in-law, Hugh Maguire, and of Sir Warham St. Leger - Tyrone leaves Munster - His Continental Allies - Ormonde taken Prisoner by Owny MacRory - Docwra builds Forts at Derry - Tyrone attacks Mountjoy - Sir Art O'Neill joins the English.
The Turn of the Tide - 1600 - 1601 AD
O'Donnell's Plundering Excursions - Mountjoy's Marches - He builds and fortifies Forts - Nial Garv O'Donnell joins Docwra - Spanish Ships in Killybegs - The O'Dogherties desert O'Donnell - Fanatical Attempt on Tyrone's Life - The Currency debased - Nial Garv besieged by O'Donnell - Help for the Irish arrives from Spain.
A Spanish Invasion - 1601 AD
The Promised Aid from Spain arrives - The Spaniards enter and fortify Kinsale - Mountjoy and Carew leave Kilkenny for Cork - The Spanish General's Proclamation - The Spaniards find no Allies - O'Donnell's March to join them Intercepted by Carew, but escapes - Mountjoy besieges Kinsale - Arrival of Reinforcements for the Spanish.
The Siege of Kinsale - 1601 - 1602 AD
Tyrone and O'Donnell arrive on the scene - A Night Attack on the English determined - Treachery in the Irish Camp - The Irish taken unawares - Total Rout and Defeat of the Northerners - O'Donnell sails for Spain - Tyrone returns to Ulster - Kinsale evacuated by the Spaniards - Don Juan de Aguila returns to Spain.
Tyrone Submits: Death of Elizabeth - 1601 - 1603 AD
"Famine, Fire, and Slaughter" in Ulster - Tyrone approaches Mountjoy - He is repelled - Docwra and Chichester combine against Tyrone - He retires to Glenconkein - A Force of 8000 men fail to "hunt the Arch-traitor into the Sea" - Tyrone communicates with King James VI of Scotland - James acts with Characteristic Diplomacy - Elizabeth appoints Commissioners to deal with Tyrone - Death of the Queen - Tyrone, ignorant of her death, submits.
King James and his Irish Subjects - 1603 - 1606 AD
Accession of James - Religious Fervour revived - High Hopes entertained by the Catholics - The Pawky Policy of James with regard to the Church - Mountjoy leaves Ireland with Tyrone and Roderick O'Donnell - Rural Population of Wales insult and assault Tyrone - The Ulster Chieftains received by the King - O'Donnell created Earl of Tirconnell - Sir George Carey appointed Lord Deputy - Trouble caused by Debased Coinage.
The Flight of the Earls - 1604 - 1607 AD
Sir George Carey resigns - Sir Arthur Chichester appointed Lord Deputy - James and the Oath ofAllegiance - He enforces the Act of Uniformity - A Petition presented by the Catholics of the Pale - Sir Patrick Barnwell, Tyrone's brotherin- law, imprisoned - Proceedings against Sir Patrick stopped - He is liberated - Tyrone, Tirconnell, and others flee the Country.
Some Results of the Flight - 1607 - 1608 AD
The Exiles' Adventures - They land in Normandy - The Earls well received - Spinola, the Captor of Ostend, entertains them - Tyrone meets his son, Henry O'Neill - So-called Conspiracy to take Dublin Castle and murder the Deputy and Council - Efforts made to implicate Tyrone - The Earls attainted and their Estates confiscated King James's "Counter-Blast" to the Earls.
The O'Dogherty Insurrection - 1607 - 1609 AD
The O'Doghertys of Innishowen - Death of Sir John O'Dogherty - Hugh Roe O'Donnell supports Phelim - The MacDevitts support Cahir - Docwra intervenes in Cahir's Favour - Cahir is adopted by the English and knighted - Docwra leaves Derry - Sir George Paulet appointed - An Unpopular Representative of the Crown - Paulet's "Friendly" Visit to O'Dogherty - Appreciated at its true worth by Sir Cahir - Officialdom's Delays - The Result - Rebellion!
The O'Dogherty Defeat - 1608 - 1609 AD
O'Dogherty surprises Derry - Owen O'Dogherty kills Paulet - Phelim Reagh MacDevitt burns the Bishop's Books - He sets fire to Derry - The Royal Forces in Ulster - Sir Richard Wingfield takes O'Dogherty's Castle - O'Dogherty slain under the Rock of Doon - Chichester's Methods - Phelim caught, tried by Jury, and hanged - Ffolliott, Governor of Ballyshannon, takes Tory Island - Nial Garv arrested and sent to the Tower, where he dies.
The Plantation of Ulster - 1608 - 1615 AD
English Projects for Ulster - The Confiscation of Six Counties - The Old Tribal System - The Royal Commission - The Conditions of Land Transfer - The Old State of Thing's - Irish Reluctance to accept New Conditions - The Scheme of Plantation - A Great Injustice done by Legal Quibble - How the Undertakers carried out their Covenant - Some of the Undertakers - The Mac- Donalds and the Montgomerys.
The Progress of the Plantation - 1611 AD
Lord Carew appointed Special Commissioner for Ulster - His Report on the Plantation - The Duties of the New-comers - Their Experiences - The Fate of the Natives - The Position of the Swordsmen - Chichester ships them off to Sweden - The Pressure of the Press-gang - Death of Tirconnell and of Tyrone - The Might-have-beens of History.
A Precedent for Parliaments - 1611 - 1613 AD
James decides to hold Parliament in Dublin - Instructs Carew accordingly - Changes in the Country since Perrot's Parliament - Efforts made to outvote the Roman Catholics - Creation of New Boroughs - The New Boroughs in Ulster - The Catholics apprehensive of Results - They address the King - Their Address ignored - Parliament opens in Dublin Castle - Selection of a Speaker - Ludicrous Scenes - The Recusants remonstrate and withdraw.
The Romanists Remonstrate - 1613 AD
Non-Parliamentary Proceedings - The Deputy vainly endeavours to appease the Recusants - The Recalcitrant Roman Catholics repair to London - The Deputation is received by the King - Monarchical Methods of Debate - Talbot sent to the Tower - Luttrell hurried to the Fleet - James lectures the Roman Catholics - The King surprises Sir James Gough.
Tyrone and Tirconnell Attainted - 1613 - 1616 AD
Talbot examined before the Star Chamber - He is declared Guilty and fined - A Farcical Trial - Baconian Wisdom displayed - The Irish Parliament opens - Its ways are ways of Pleasantness, and all its paths are Peace - A Subsidy Bill passed - Tyrone, Tirconnell, and O'Dogherty attainted - Fynes Moryson on the Present State of Ulster.
Chichester Retires - 1615 - 1622 AD
Protestantism in Ulster - An Incipient Plot - The Fighting MacDonalds and others - The Dream of Rory Oge O'Cahan - His Rude Awakening - Chichester retires after eleven years' rule - The Execution of Bishop O'Devany - The Case of the Recusants - Trouble in Ulster.
The Closing Years of James's Reign - 1616 - 1625 AD
Sir Oliver St. John appointed Lord Deputy - Chichester accepts Lord Treasurership - St. John's Measures against the Recusants - The Prisons full of the Better Sort of Citizen - St. John's Zeal - He is recalled and created Viscount Grandison - Self-aggrandizement of the Recusants - Henry Gary, Viscount Falkland appointed Lord Deputy - Ussher's Remarkable Sermon - Fateful Measures in connection with the Army - Progress of the Plantation in Ulster - Death of James I.
Charles I and the Three Graces - 1625 - 1633 AD
Accession of Charles I - His Financial Difficulties - The Roman Catholics offer a Subsidy - Charles responds with Three Graces - The King's Duplicity - Rampant "Religiosity" - The Protestants protest Falkland's Proclamation - Treated in Drogheda with Contempt - The Bishop of Derry calls for "A Great Amen" - Falkland recalled - Adam Loftus and Lord Cork appointed Lords Justices - Carmelites in Cook Street - The Archbishop of Dublin and the Mayor on a Ransacking Expedition - The Demolition of St. Patrick's Purgatory - The Lords Justices retire in Favour of Wentworth.
" Like Master, like Man " - 1633 AD
Ulster now a Province without a History - Charles and his Parliaments - Wentworth appointed Lord Deputy - He repairs to Ireland twelve months later - Disgraceful Evasion of the Graces - Wentworth 's Efforts to raise Money - His Treatment of the Privy Council - He proposes to call a Parliament - His Secretive Methods - Lord Fingall rebuffed - The Sentiments of a Solitary Man.
The Wiles of Wentworth - 1634 AD
Parliament meets "with Civility and Splendour" - Sergeant Catlin elected Speaker - The Parties well balanced - Sir Thomas Bramston of Belfast unseated - The Earl of Ormonde refuses to part with his Sword - He is elected a Privy Councillor - The Lords confounded by Poynings' Act - The Graces discussed - Wentworth intervenes - The Graces withheld - The Catholics indignant - The King and Viceroy victorious.
The Scottish Scare - 1638 - 1640 AD
Introduction of the Linen Industry into Ulster - The Scottish Covenanters - Sympathy with them in Ulster - The Earl of Antrim's Proposals - Fears of a Scottish Invasion - The "Black Oath" - The Lord Deputy depletes Derry - A New Parliament votes - Generous Supplies - Declarations of Loyalty - Wentworth rewarded with the Earldom of Strafford - He raises an Irish Army - His Good Opinion of the Irish People.
The Mutterings of the Approaching Storm - 1640 - 1641 AD
Execution of Strafford - The Danger of arming Irishmen - Strafford's
Opinions thereon, and Sir Benjamin Rudyard's - Lord Castlehaven on the
Grievances which resulted in Rebellion - Intolerant Attitude of the Puritans - The
Irish under Arms on the Continent - Some of the Irish Leaders - Rory
O'Moore - Sir Phelim O'Neill - Owen Roe O'Neill.
The Bursting of the Storm-cloud - 1641 AD
The King warns the Lords Justices of Impending Danger - Sir William
Parsons and Sir John Borlase remain Indifferent - Sir William Cole of Enniskillen
communicates his suspicions - Their lethargy continues - Hugh Oge
MacMahon, grandson of Tyrone, incites Owen O'Connolly to rebel - O'Connolly
apathetic - He visits MacMahon in Dublin, and is presented to Lord Maguire - The
details of Plot to seize Dublin Castle are revealed to him - He informs Sir
William Parsons - Steps taken to defend Dublin Castle - Proceedings in Ulster
- Sir Phelim O'Neill's Proclamation - Towns and Forts seized by the Insurgents -
Sufferings caused by the Rebellion.
The Horrors of Civil War - 1641 AD
Lord Maguire and Hugh Oge MacMahon arrested and later hanged at
Tyburn - Sir Phelim O'Neill forges a Royal Commission - He assumes the title
of " Lord General of the Catholic Army in Ireland" - Many Murders and Massacres -
Lord Castlehaven's Opinion, "They were Bloody on both Sides" - The
O'Reillys' Remonstrance - Arms supplied by the Government to the Catholic
Nobility of the Pale - The Irish Parliament meets - Both Houses join in a Remonstrance -
The Scots in Ulster - An "Admirable" Crichton - London sends
to the relief of Londonderry.
The Fortunes of War - 1641 - 1642 AD
Parliament's Provisions for Ireland - Continued Lethargy of the Lords
justices - Their Weak-kneed Government drives many into Rebellion - Sir
Phelim O'Neill prepares to invest Drogheda - Six Hundred Raw Recruits sent
with Roper to the Relief of Drogheda - Five Hundred slain in a Fog at julianstown -
The Lords justices summon Sir Charles Coote to Dublin - Cruel Conduct
of Coote - Lisburn attacked and burned to the Ground by Sir Phelim O'Neill - Lord
Gormanston calls a County Meeting at Crofty Hill - The Northern Chiefs
appear and the Rival Parties amalgamate.
The Triumphs of Tichborne - 1641 - 1642 AD
The Lords Justices summon the Catholic Lords to a Council Meeting - The
Lords refuse to attend - The Companies raised by them desert, taking their Arms
with them - Sir Simon Harcourt lands with a Large Force - Drogheda besieged
by Sir Phelim - A Party of Irish break in, but are defeated and ejected - Lord
Moore defeats the Irish at Mellifont - Art Roe MacMahon taken Prisoner - His
Life spared in consideration of Lady Blaney - Ormonde marches to Drogheda
- Tichborne takes Dundalk - General Robert Munro arrives with 2500 Scots - He
sweeps all before him.
The Scots Army in Ulster - 1642 - 1643 AD
Ulster filled with Troops - Sir Phelim burns Armagh - " Colkitto" MacDonnell -
The Rebellion dying-out - Revived by Arrival of Owen Roe O'Neill - The
Nature of the War - Independence of the Scots - Expeditions of the English
- Lord Leven arrives with Reinforcements - Thomas Preston lands in the South
with men and Arms - Leven's Ineffective Correspondence - He leaves Munro in
command and returns to Scotland - O'Neill's Camp surprised - Lord Moore killed -
A Cessation of Hostilities.
King Charles and the Confederates - 1642 - 1643 AD
Power of Confederates attracts Charles - The King seeks a Cessation of
Arms - The Roman Catholics petition the King - Royal Commission granted - Sir
William Parsons superseded - Sir Henry Tichborne appointed Lord Justice
with Borlase - Sir Henry Tichborne's Account of the Conduct of the War in
Cavan - The Confederates demand a Free Parliament - Sufferings of the Army
from Scarcity of Money - No Help forthcoming from England - Tichborne tries
to raise Money, but fails - Renewed Activities of the Rebels - Munro, although
requested to help the Royalists, refuses to act - Treaty with the Confederates
signed and ratified.
Castlehaven's Invasion of Ulster - 1643 - 1644 AD
Ormonde appointed Lord-Lieutenant - A Day of Deputations - Activities of
the Marquis of Antrim - The Covenant wins its Way in Ulster - Munro secures
Supreme Command of all English and Scottish Forces in Ulster - He anticipates
Insubordination and secures Belfast - Owen Roe O'Neill repairs to the Supreme
Council - He asks for Aid to hold his Command in Ulster - Assistance given by
the Confederates - Castlehaven appointed Commander of the Forces - O'Neill's
Disappointment - Castlehaven invades Ulster, but achieves nothing - He attributes his Failure to O'Neill's failing to keep faith with him.
Glamorgan and the Great Seal - 1644 - 1645 AD
The Chicanery of Charles - His Secret Commission to Glamorgan - He begs
Ormonde to secure Peace - Glamorgan and the Confederates - Rinuccini the
Nuncio - Charles pens a Letter to the Pope - Glamorgan's Letter to the King
discovered on the Battlefield of Naseby - The Nuncio in November enters Kilkenny -
The Glamorgan Treaty found on Dead Archbishop - The Ormonde
Peace signed - Deplorable State of Ulster.
The Battle of Benburb - 1646 AD
Owen Roe O'Neill's Army - He repairs to Leinster - Reconciliation effected
by Rinuccini between Owen Roe and Sir Phelim O'Neill - The Papal Nuncio
and Owen O'Neill - The Nuncio finances O'Neill, who collects a Large Army
and marches north to surprise Armagh - Munro marches to meet him - The
Opposing Armies meet at Benburb - Owen Roe's Speech to his Men - The Scots
defeated and routed - Munro escapes to Lisburn.
O'Neill and his Ulstermen in Leinster - 1646 - 1647 AD
Four Distinct Parties in Ireland: The Nuncio, the Confederates, Ormonde,
and the Scots - The Nuncio attacks the Confederates - Preston joins him - Ormonde
visits Kilkenny - Owen Roe O'Neill marches South - Ormonde,
alarmed, returns to Dublin - O'Neill marches to Kilkenny - Rinuccini imprisons
the Members of the Supreme Council - A New Supreme Council elected, including
the Nuncio, Preston, Owen Roe, and Sir Phelim O'Neill - Preston and
O'Neill invest Dublin - Their Distrust and Hatred of each other - Clanrickard's
Fruitless Negotiations with Preston - The Nuncio and his Army return to Kilkenny -
Ormonde surrenders Dublin to Parliament and leaves Ireland.
Defeat of the Royalists - 1647 - 1648 AD
The Nuncio and O'Neill disagree - Lord Taaffe defeated by Inchiquin - O'Neill deprived of his Commission as General of Ulster - He proclaims War
against the Confederates - Inchiquin's Description of the State of the Country - O'Neil1
retires to Ulster - Colonel George Monck takes Munro Prisoner - He is
appointed Governor of Belfast and Carrickfergus - Coote takes Culmore Fort - O'Neil1's Negotiations with Governor of Dublin - Ormoncle returns to Ireland - O'Neill
proclaimed a Traitor by the Supreme Council - Peace ratified at last - The
Nuncio leaves Ireland - Execution of Charles I.
Oliver Cromwell, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland - 1648 - 1649 AD
Charles II in Exile - Ormonde invites him to Ireland - O'Neill's Demands - Ormonde's
Overtures to O'Neill, Coote, and Jones - Castlehaven invades Leinster -
Ormonde besieges Dublin - Owen Roe O'Neilt relieves Londonderry - Oliver
Cromwell, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland - Arrives with Army in Ireland - Besieges
Drogheda, and takes the Town by storm.
Cromwell's Campaign in Ulster - 1649 AD
Cromwell's Religious Emotion - The Spirit in which he waged War - The
Storming of Drogheda - Cromwell's Reports - Anthony a Wood's Narrative - No
Quarter given - Ormonde and Owen Roe come to Terms - Death of Owen
Roe O'Neill - Coleraine taken by Coote - Belfast capitulates - Henry and Daniel
O'Neill in the South - Major Henry O'Neill taken Prisoner - " General Farrell
and his Ulsters " - Carrickfergus surrenders to Coote and Venables.
The Last Efforts of Ulster - 1649 AD
Depth of Religious Emotion displayed - The Presbytery of Belfast and the
Covenant - John Milton replies to the Presbytery and attacks Ormonde - Ecclesiastical
Meeting at Clonmacnoise - The Bishops' Declaration answered
by Cromwell - Hugh Duv O'Neill defends Clonmel - Cromwell leaves Ireland,
and Ireton takes Command - Changed State of the Country - Ever MacMahon,
Bishop of Clogher, succeeds to Command of Ulster - His "Confident Victorious
Catholic Army of the North" - He takes Toome and Dungiven - Is defeated at
Letterkenny and hanged - Henry O'Neill put to death by Coote.
Charles 11 repudiates the Peace - 1650 - 1651 AD
Charlemont the Last Stronghold of the Irish in U1ster - Is besieged by
Coote and Venables - After a Desperate Defence it surrenders - The Dunfermline
Declaration of Charles II - The King's Defence of the Declaration - He
repudiates "the Irish Rebels" - Ormonde excommunicated - He applies to
the Commissioners of Trust - The Roman Catholic Clergy accept Clanrickard
as Lord Deputy - Ormonde leaves Ireland - Negotiations with the Duke of
Lorraine - Agreements signed, but come to naught.
Close of the Cromwellian Campaign - 1651 - 1653 AD
Ulster being subdued, Coote marches South - The Siege of Limerick - Hugh
Duv O'Neill surrenders - Is twice sentenced to Death, but is acquitted - Death
of Ireton - O'Neill sent to the Tower - Is released and sails for Spain - Coote
repairs to Galway - Clanrickard summons O'Reilly from Ulster - Clanrickard
surrenders - Various Submissions - Fleetwood lands - Ludlow superseded -
The Last Stand of U1ster - Castleoughter surrenders - O'Reilly of Ulster
submits - Sir Phelim O'Neill captured near Charlemont - He is tried in Dublin
and hanged - The Rebellion and War in Ireland proclaimed to be at an End.
A "wild and Woeful Land" - 1652 - 1653 AD
Sad State of the Conquered Country taken over by the Commonwealth - Mountjoy's
Methods approved by Colonel Jones - Colonel Richard Laurence's
Picture of Desolation - Effects of the Plague - Great Increase of Wolves - The
Perils of Priesthood - Children seized and shipped to the Barbados - Attempts
to extirpate the "Tories" - Food at Famine Prices - Petty's Survey of Ireland
- The Act of Settlement.
The Cromwellian Settlement -1653 - 1655 AD
The Adventurers demand a Settlement - Particulars of their Demands - The
Commonwealth appeal to them to colonize - They refuse and make Fresh
Demands - A Lottery established in London to satisfy their Claims - Particulars
of the Settlement - Connaught reserved for the Irish - The Plantation and Ulster
- Attempt to transplant the Presbyterians of Antrim and Down - Transplantation
or Transportation - Henry Cromwell, Lord Deputy - Death of Oliver Cromwell
and Succession of Richard.
The Restoration - 1659 - 1662 AD
Ireland sick of the Cromwell Government - Welcomes the Prospect of the
Restoration - The Army supreme - Coote Ruler of Ulster - Richard Cromwell
abdicates - The Royalists seize Dublin Castle - Coote secures Drogheda - Death
of the Governor of Carrickfergus - Londonderry submits - Coote appointed a
Commissioner for Ireland - He corresponds with Charles, and attends him on
his entry into London - Monck appointed Lord-Lieutenant - Coote created Earl
of Mountrath - The Irish Parliament meet in Dublin - Presbyterian Members for
Ulster - Ormonde returns as Viceroy - The Act of Settlement.
"New Presbyter" and "Old Priest" - 1661 AD
The Presbyterians in Ireland a Powerful Body - Their Hopes from Charles's
Dunfermline Declaration dashed to the Ground - A Meeting of Presbytedans
held at Ballymena - They send a Deputation to Dublin - Orrery's Account of
their Visit - Adair's Account of Interview granted to Presbyterian Ministers by
Jeremy Taylor, the Bishop of Down and Connor - The Covenant ordered to be
burnt by the Public Executioner as "schismatical, seditious, and treasonable ".
The Arts of Peace in Ulster - 1663 - 1685 AD
The Presbyterians and the Prayer Book - The Exodus to New England - Blood's
Conspiracy - Mutiny at Carrickfergus - Peace and Industry in Ulster - Ormonde's
Encouragement of the Linen Trade - Orrery's Arguments - Sir Arthur
forbes, Lord Justice, assists the Presbyterians - Death of Charles II.
"The Old Order Changeth" - 1685 AD
A Troubled Reign - The Ireland of James II - Macaulay on Ireland - Eminent
Irish Writers of the Period - Ormonde recalled - Primate Boyle and
the Earl of Granard Lords Justices - The Opposed Religious Parties - Colonel
Richard Talbot, "Lying Dick" - Order for Disarmament of Irish Militia - Talbot
created Earl of Tyrconnell, and appointed General of the Irish Army - Henry
Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, appointed Lord-Lieutenant.
Tyrconnell, Lord of Misrule - 1686 - 1689 AD
Clarendon's Arrival - Tyrconnell's Departure - The Militia disarmed - Changes
in Favour of the Catholic Element - Rapid Emigration - Tyrconnell
returns with Plenary Powers - He proceeds to exercise them - He attacks the
Acts of Settlement - Clarendon recalled - Tyrconnell Lord Deputy - He seizes
the Charters of Dublin and other Cities - Carrickfergus resists, but finally
yields to blandishment - The Protestants make a stand at Enniskillen - The
Establishment of Defence Associations - A Force sent from Dublin to garrison
Londonderry - The City revolts and closes the Gates - Preparations made for
Resistance.
Londonderry and Enniskillen Revolt - 1688 - 1689 AD
The Earl of Antrim and George Phillips of Limavady repair to Londonderry -
Phillips admitted to the City - He joins the Movement - Antrim retires
to Coleraine - Phillips elected Governor of Londonderry, raises Troops for
the Defence of the City - Enniskillen follows the example of Londonderry and
prepares to take the Offensive - A Bloodless Victory - Gustavus Hamilton
appointed Governor - Lord Mountjoy and Lundy sent to Londonderry - Terms
arrived a - Mountjoy, Governor - He assists the Citizens - Tyrconnell recalls
him - He leaves Lundy in Command - The Declaration of County Antrim
The Brave Inniskillings - 1689 AD
The General Council address the Prince of Orange - The Prince replies -
William and Mary proclaimed King and Queen in Enniskillen - Tyrconnell
determines to reduce Ulster - He employs Colonel Richard Hamilton - Hamilton
marches into Ulster - His Advance spreads Consternation - Lord B1aney defeats
a Portion of his Forces and occupies Coleraine - Enniskillen still maintains her
Independent Attitude - Viscount Galmoy lays Siege to Crom Castle with Tin
Cannon - His Treachery and Barbarity.
King James in Ulster - 1689 AD
King William sends Ammunition, Muskets, and Money to Londonderry - Rawdon
abandons Coleraine - David Cairnes returns to Londonderry - He
brings a Letter from the Secretary of State - King James lands at Kinsale - He
repairs to Dublin - He determines to lay Siege to Londonderry - James's French
Generals deride the Defences of Derry - Count Rosen Commander-in-Chief of
the Jacobite Army - Transports with Two Regiments from William arrive at
Londonderry - Lundy's Treachery - The Regiments return to England.
The Siege of Londonderry - Chapter 1 - 1689 AD
Londonderry invested - Commanders of the Various Jacobite Regiments - Disposition
of the Jacobite Forces - Divided Counsels - Arrival of Captain Adam
Murray - He supports the Citizens - Lundy and the Council defeated - Lundy
deposed and Baker elected Governor - Rev. George Walker, Assistant Governor
- James and his Army greeted with Cannon-balls - He leaves for Dublin - Surrender
of Culmore Fort and Castlederg - First Sally from the City - Maumont
killed - The Jacobites lose 200 Men and some Officers - Murray rescued by
Walker.
The Siege of Londonderry - Chapter 2 - 1689 AD
Daily Life in Londonderry - Sallies and Skirmishes - Activity of the Jacobites -
Duties performed inside the Walls of the City - Brigadier-General
Ramsay killed - Pusignan, shot through the body, dies in consequence of inattention -
Ballyshannon relieved by the Inniskillings - Redhills surrenders to
Gustavus Hamilton - Ballynacarrig plundered and fired - Inniskillings dismount
the Jacobite Horse - An Extract from Mackenzie's Account of the Siege.
The Siege of Londonderry - Chapter 3 - 1689 AD
The Inhabitants of Londonderry reduced to great straits - The Inniskillings
take Omagh - Gustavus Hamilton proceeds against Sutherland, who retreats -
He attacks and takes Colonel Scott and other Officers Prisoners - The Inniskillings
acquire Valuable Spoils - The Jacobites construct a Boom across the
River - The Besieged reduced to living on Horseflesh - An Expeditionary Force
sent to their Relief from England under Command of Colonel Kirke - Death of
Governor Baker - Colonel John Mitchelburn succeeds him - Kirke's cowardly
inactivity - Rosen arrives from Dublin - His Barbarous and Cruel Methods of
Warfare - His Ultimatum of the 1st of July - The Citizens retaliate by threatening
to hang their Prisoners.
The Relief of Londonderry - 1689 AD
Macaulay's Summary of Walker's Account of the Conditions in Londonderry - Fresh Victims driven under the Walls of the City - Dispute between the
Irish Jacobites and their French Allies - Rosen obliged to release the Wretched
Victims of his Wrath - He is recalled to Dublin-Hamilton again Commander-
in-Chief - He makes an Offer to the Citizens - It is refused - Treaty for Surrender
proves a Failure - Schomberg orders Kirke to make an Attempt to
relieve Londonderry - Kirke grants Permission to Micaiah Browning, Master of
the Mountjoy, to essay the Task of breaking the Boom - Andrew Douglas, of
the Phoenix, joins in the Adventure - Both Vessels escorted by the Dartmouth -
The Mountjoy breaks the Boom, the Phoenix is the first to reach the Quay, and
the Siege is raised.
The Inniskillings - 1689 AD
Character of James II - William, Prince of Orange, King of England - The
Inniskillings apply for Aid to Kirke - He supplies them with Officers - Colonels
Wolseley and Berry - The Jacobite General, Justin MacCarthy (Viscount Mountcashel),
lays Siege to Crom Castle - Sarsfield threatens Ballyshannon - A Concerted
Attack on Enniskillen determined on by the Jacobite Army - Mountcashel
lays Siege to Lisnaskea - The Duke of Berwick defeats a Detachment of Inniskillings
- Defeat of the Jacobites at Donagh - Anthony Hamilton wounded -
Volseley joins Berry with Reinforcements - They decided to advance.
Arrival of Schomberg - 1689 AD
Battle of Newtown-Butler - The Jacobites defeated - Mountcashel wounded
and taken Prisoner - The House of Commons receives the News of the Relief of
Londonderry - An Irish Campaign determined on Troops raised for Service in
Ireland - Regiments commanded by La Melloniere and Cambon - The Army
placed under the Command of Frederic, Count of Schomberg - He is created
a Duke - Composition of his Army - The Expedition sails from the Port of
Chester - It arrives in Carlingford Bay and disembarks at Bangor, County
Down - Schomberg makes Belfast his Head-quarters.
Schomberg commences his Campaign - 1689 AD
A Veteran Commander Frederic, Duke of Schomberg - He lays Siege to
Carrickfergus - It capitulates - He repairs to Dundalk, which is evacuated by
the Duke of Berwick - A Miserable March "Hollow Heaven and the Hurricane,
and the Hurry of the Heavy Rain" Sodden Roads and Leaden Skies - Arrival
of the Inniskillings in Camp - The Duke of Berwick fires Newry and Carlingford
- Schomberg encamps at Dundalk - An Unhealthy Situation - Failure of the
Commissariat - Shales's Peculations - Bad Results for the Army - Fevers and
"Fluxes" attack the Soldiers - James and his Followers arrive at Ardee - Their
vain Attempts to draw Schomberg to Battle - A Jacobite Conspiracy discovered
in Dundalk.
An Inactive Army - 1689 - 1690 AD
Activites of the Inniskillings - Schomberg's Soldiers attacked by Influenza
- Devastations of the Disease - The Jacobites also slIfIer - Heavy Losses on
both Sides - Removal of the Army - Schomberg fixes his Head-quarters at
Lisburn - The Battle of Cavan - Victory of the Inniskillings - 7000 Danish
Mercenaries arrive commanded by the Duke of Wurtemberg - Chademont,
after a Brave Defence, surrenders to Schomberg - Walker of Londonderry visits
London - His Great Popularity - Received by King William - Presented with
£5000 - Petitions Parliament on Behalf of the Families of those who fell in the
Defence of Londonderry - Grant of £10,000 for the Purpose - The Arrival of
William expected in Ulster.
King William in Ulster - 1690 AD
King William lands at Carrickfergus - He drives to Belfast Receives a
Warm Welcome - He goes to Lisburn - James marches North William assembles
his Forces at Loughbrickland - He encamps near Newry - James advances to
Dundalk - He recrosses the Boyne and encamps - William arrives within Two
Miles of Drogheda, and encamps also - He is fired on by the Jacobites and
wounded - The Composition of his Army.
The Battle of the Boyne - 1690 AD
The Vacillation of James - He holds a Council of War, and finally decides
to fight - Nevertheless he sends Six of his Twelve Field-pieces to Dublin - William's
Council of War - Duke Schomberg overruled - His Chagrin - Tuesday,
the 1st of July, 1690 - William's Orders for forcing the Passage of the
Boyne - Both James and William neglect to secure the Bridge of Slane - Count
Schomberg forces the Passage at Rossnaree - Sir Neil O'Neill is slain - The
Order of Crossing and how the Jacobites received William's Forces-Death of
Caillemot - Duke Schomberg plunges into the Fight unarmed - He is killed - Walker
of Derry is shot dead - William heads the Inniskillings - The Jacobites
retreat - Flight of King James to Dublin.
After the Battle - 1690 AD
The Battle of the Boyne one of the Decisive Battles of the World - The
Remains of Schomberg taken to Dublin and deposited in St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Walker interred at Castle Caulfcild - Macaulay's Mistakes in connection with
Walker - The Memory of the Dead Governor duly honoured at Londonderry - Drogheda
surrenders - James flies to France - Dublin in a State of Anarchy -
William encamps at Finglas and enters Dublin in State - His Cause triumphant.
The New Life - 1690 - 1693 AD
Ulster at rest - The Arrival of Balldearg O'Donnell - The Ulster Militia
march to assist in the Reduction of Sligo - Balldearg O'Donnell joins the
Forces of William in Flanders - Proclamation of Peace - Cost of the War - Viscount
Sidney appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland - The Irish Parliament
of 1692 - Its Independence - Dissolved September, 1693 - The Ownership of
Land - Its Chaotic State - Establishment of a Court of Claims - William's
Grants of Forfeited Estates - Sidney recalled - Capel appointed Lord Deputy.
Linen and Latitudinarianism - 1693 - 1714 AD
Ulster unaffected by the Penal Laws - A Determined Effort to destroy the Woollen industry - Address to the King on the subject - The English promise to encourage and support the Linen Industry of Ulster - How the Promise was kept - The Case of Ireland, by Molyneaux - Death of James II - Death of William III - James, Second Duke of Ormonde, Lord Lieutenant - The Attitude of Ulster towards Jacobinism - Presbyterians and the Sacramental Test - The Bishops attack the Nonconformists - Wharton, the Viceroy, supports them - He is recalled - Death of Queen Anne.
Unhappiness and Halfpence - 1714 - 1727 AD
The Earl of Sunderland, Lord-Lieutenant - The Method of governing Ireland
in the Time of George I - Hugh Boulter, Primate of all Ireland - An Exodus to
enlist in Foreign Service - Ship seized at Killybegs - Wretched State of the
Country - Swift's Pamphlets on Irish Manufactures - Lack of Copper Coins - Wood's
Halfpence - Clamour raised against them - Swift's Drapier's Letters - The
Patent granted Wood withdrawn - Steady Stream of Emigration - 3000
Protestants leave Ulster - Swift on the Condition of Ulster - Death of George I.
French Attack on Carrickfergus - 1724 - 1760 AD
The Famine of 1741 - The Cruelty of Creeds: A Meditated Massacre - Dr.
George Stone, Bishop of Derry, succeeds to the Primacy - An Abortive French
Invasion - Thurot's Descent upon Carrickfergus - Attempt at Resistance - The
Garrison capitulates - Provisions demanded and sent for to Belfast - John
Wesley's Journal - Supplies arrive, and the French depart - Thurot attacked
in the Irish Sea - Loses 300 Men, and is shot through the Heart - Death of
George II.
The Ulster Volunteers - 1760 - 1782 AD
The Opening Years of the Reign of George III - Marked by the Establishment
of Secret Societies - The Hearts of Oak Boys - The Hearts of Steel Boys
- The Comments of Arthur Young on these Secret Societies - The War of
American Independence - The Irish Volunteers - The Movement originates in
UIster - Ulster's Example followed by all Ireland - The Convention of Dungannon - Influence of the Volunteers - Free Trade obtained and a Free Parliament demanded.
The Volunteer Movement - 1783 AD
Address by the Volunteers to the Minority in both Houses of Parliament - The
Minority make a Move - Lord Carlisle succeeded as Viceroy by the Duke
of Portland - Grattan's Motion for a Declaration of Rights - Grattan's Views
and those of Flood opposed - Parliament sides with Grattan, and the Volunteers
with Flood - The Belfast First Volunteers address Grattan - Review held in
Belfast - Popular Clamour for Parliamentary Reform.
Defeat of the Volunteers - 1782 - 1791 AD
The Volunteer National Convention - Their Deliberations led by Flood and
the Bishop of Londonderry - Flood's Panegyric on the Volunteers - The Struggle
between Parliament and the Volunteers ends in the Triumph of Parliament - Theobald
Wolfe Tone and the Dissenters of the North - Religious Animosity - The
Defenders and Peep o' Day Boys - The Society of Orangemen - Outrages
in Armagh - The Battle of Diamond - The Spirit of Conciliation - Wolfe Tone
visits Belfast at the Invitation of Samuel Neilson - The Catholic Delegates
of the General Convention welcomed in Ulster by the Protestallts - Petition
presented to the King results in Measures for the Promotion of Concord.
Coercion and Conciliation 1793 - 1797 AD
A Brighter Outlook - Some Popular Measures - Trouble in the North - The
Gunpowder Bill and the Convention Act - Irish Interest in the French Revolution -
The New Administration - Earl Fitzwilliam's Viceroyalty - His Dismissal
of John Claudius Beresford - Fitzwilliam recalled, is succeeded by Lord Camden
- Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, becomes an Active Member of the
Irish Executive - Lord Carhampton's Vigorous Measures as Commander-in-Chief -
General Lake proclaims the Major Portion of Ulster - Graltan's Indignation -
Suppression of the Northern Star Newspaper - Trial and Execution of
William Orr.
The Rebellion of 1798 - 1798 AD
Sir Ralph Abercrombie appointed Commander-in-Chief in Ireland - His
Comments on the Methods of the Military - "Cossacks and Calmucks" - Lamentable
Lack of Law and Order - A French Traveller's Account of his
Experiences in Ulster' in I797 - He finds Belfast in a State of Perfect Peace - Abercrombie
resigns - General Lake fills his Place - A Ferocious General - The
Bishop of Down's Account of the State of the Country - The United Irishmen
become disunited - Presbyterians separate from "Papists" - Ulster's Strange
Indifference to the Progress of the Rebellion.
The Insurrectionary Counties: Antrim
and Down - 1798 AD
Antrim rises - Henry Joy M'Cracken - James Hope's Story - M'Cracken
attacks Antrim - Major Seddon warned, prepares to resist - The Rebels make a
Spirited Attack - Lord O'Neil killed - Colonel Lumley wounded - The Dragoons
retreat - Colonel Durham arrives with Reinforcements - The Rebels defeated - M'Cracken
arrested and executed at Belfast - The Rising in Down - Henry
Munro of Lisburn elected Leader -His Military Knowledge - Colonel Stapleton's
Forces attacked - The Battle of Ballinahinch - Munro defeated - He is hanged
at Lisburn - The Rebellion in Ulster suppressed.
Insurrectionary and Legitimate Fights
for Independence - 1798 - 1800 AD
Wolfe Tone urges French Directory to invade Ireland - Humbert's Expedition -
He lands at Killala, and is defeated by Lake at Ballinamuck - Hardi's
Expedition arrives at the Entrance to Lough Swilly with Wolfe Tone
on board the Hoche - Is attacked by the English Squadron under Admiral
Warren - The Hoche is shattered and brought into Lough Swilly - The
Prisoners, including Tone, marched to Letterkenny - Wolfe Tone identified,
and sent in Irons to Dublin - He is sentenced to Death, and anticipates his
Fate in Prison - Pitt's Projects for the Legislative Union - Progress of the
Measure - Grattan and Daniel O'Connell oppose it - Castlereagh and Cornwallis
support it - Debates on the Subject - The Methods by which the Measure
was carried.
After the Union - 1800 - 1820 AD
Act of Union comes into Operation in January, 1801 - Presbyterians seek
Relief from their Disabilities - Lord Castlereagh's Plans for their Relief - Thomas
Russell of Downpatrick engaged in Emmett's Rebellion - He is taken,
tried, and executed - First Roman Catholic Petition for Emancipation - It fails
- Castlereagh seeks re-election for Down - He is defeated - Hamilton Rowan
released - "Ulster as loyal as any Part of England" - Outrage at Newry - Orangeman
executed at Enniskillen - First Agitation for Repeal of the Union - Daniel
O'Connell's Sentiments - He denounces Religious Dissensions - Death of
George III.
Catholic Emancipation - 1820 - 1830 AD
Death of Grattan - Plunkett's Resolutions regarding the Catholic Question
- Plunkett's Second Bill denounced by O'Connell - King George IV visits Ireland -
He is enthusiastically received - Trouble in the North after the King's
Departure - Orangemen vs. Ribbonmen - The Foundation of the Catholic Association -
It is suppressed and reconstituted - O'Connell returned for Clare - Refuses
to take the Oaths of Supremacy and Abjuration - The Catholic Association's
Campaign in Ulster - The Catholic Emancipation Bill passed - O'Connel1
re-elected without Opposition - Death of George IV.
Reforms in State and Church - 1828 - 1837 AD
Universal Cry for Padiamentary Reform - Lord John Russell introduces
the Reform Bill - The Reform Bill for Ireland introduced by Stanley - The Bill
opposed by O'Connell and Sheil - The Bill receives the Royal Assent, 7th of
August, 1832 - Earl Grey introduces his Coercion Bill - It is passed by a Large
Majority - The Tithe Question - The State of the Irish Church - Reduction of
Irish Bishoprics - Address to the King presented by the Archbishop of Armagh
- Reconstruction of the Cabinet - Lord Mulgrave's Viceroyalty - Louis Perrin,
Attorney-General - He creates a Precedent by permitting Catholics to serve as
Jurymen - Irish Municipal Reform - Dr. Cooke's Activities in Belfast - English
Radicals attack the Orange Association - Lord Mulgrave's Rule in Ireland
attacked by Jackson, M.P. for Belfast - Death of William IV.
Early Victorian Years - 1827 - 1848 AD
Accession of Queen Victoria No Change in the Ministry - The Tithe Question
settled - The Poor Relief Act passed - Rise of the Young Ireland Party - Foundation
of Queen's College, Belfast - The Report of the Devon Commission
- Low Rate of Wages in Ulster - The Famine Years - Emigration to America
from Ulster - Ulster Tenant - Right Smith O'Brien's Rebellion - John Mitchel,
an Ulster Man, concerned - Shooting Affray - Orangemen and Ribbonmen at
Dolly's Brae - The Government and Earl of Roden - The Queen visits Ireland.
"The Ulster Custom" - 1849 - 1867 AD
The Encumbered Estates Act - The Navigation Acts repealed - Sharman
Crawford's Tenant-Right Bill - Foundation of Tenant-protection Societies - The
General Tenant - Right Association holds a Conference in Dublin - Dr.
M'Knight, an Ulsterman and Presbyterian, Editor of the Banner of Ulster,
chosen as President - Establishment of the Irish Tenant-Right League - A True
Union of North and South - Napier, the Irish Attorney-General, introduces
Four Land Bills - They pass the House of Commons, but are abandoned by the
Lords - Lord-Chancellor Brady on Orangemen - Agrarian Discontent - The
Glenveagh Evictions - Disestablishment of the Irish Church.
First Home Rule Bill - 1867 - 1886 AD
Gladstone, Premier - The Irish Land Act of 1870 - The Ballot Act - The
Home Rule League founded - Gladstone resigns in 1874, and Disraeli becomes
Premier - Motion on Home Rule moved in the House of Commons by Isaac
Butt - It is defeated by a Very Large Majority - Advent of Charles Stewart
Pamell - Commencement of "Obstruction" - Failure of Potato Crop - Foundation
of the Land League - Relief of Distress Act - W. E. Forster, Chief
Secretary; Earl Cowper, Lord-Lieutenant - Protection of Life and Property Act
- "The Three F's" - The Land League proclaimed - Parnell imprisoned - The
Phoenix Park Murders - Earl Spencer, Lord-Lieutenant - Gladstone introduces
his First Home Rule Bill - Excitement in Ulster - An Irish Land Purchase Bill
- Loyalists arm in Ulster - Riots in Belfast - Home Rule Bill defeated.
The Second Home Rule Bill - 1887 - 1910 AD
Mr. A. J. Balfour, Irish Chief Secretary - He enforces the Crimes Act - The
Nationalists adopt the Plan of Campaign - ]oseph Chamberlain visits Belfast
and speaks in the Ulster Hall -He also visits Coleraine - General Election of
1892 gives Gladstone a Majority - Mr. John Morley, Irish Chief Secretary - Belfast
created a City - The Ulster Convention - The Duke of Abercorn presides
- Mr. Balfour visits Belfast - Gladstone's Second Home Rule Bill - Is thrown
out by the Lords - The Ulster Defence Union - Death of Queen Victoria - Lord
Salisbury retires - Mr. Balfour, Prime Minister - He resigns, and is succeeded
by Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman - General Election of 1906 - 0ld-Age Pensions -
Liberal Majority of 1910 - Attack on the House of Lords - Death of King
Edward VII.
Sir Edward Carson and the Covenant - 1910 - 1914 AD
The Lords' Veto Bill - Mr. Lloyd George's Budget - Mr. Balfour retires - He
is succeeded by Mr. Bonar Law - The Home Rule for Ireland Bill introduced
by Mr. Asquith - The Anti-Home Rule Campaign in Ulster led by Sir
Edward Carson - The Signing of the Covenant on Ulster Day - Mr. Balfour
moves the Rejection of the Bill - His Reference to "the Real Assassins " - Sir
Edward Carson and Mr. F. E. Smith suggest the Exclusion of Ulster from the
Bill - Mr. Winston Churchill's Pronouncement - Great Demonstration in Belfast
of Ulster Business Men - The Bill "expires" for a Second Time - Army Officers
on the Curragh, when ordered to Belfast, resign - Gun-running Exploit by the
Ulster Volunteers.