Conn O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone (Irish: Conn Bacach mac Cuinn Ó Néill) King of Tír Eógain, c. 1480–1559.
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A son of Conn Mór, King of Tír Eógain, grandson of Henry Ó Néill, the King of Tír Eógain, was the first of the Ó Néills whom the attempts of the English in the 16th century to subjugate Ireland brought to the front as leaders of the native Irish. His father, the King of Tír Eógan, was murdered in 1493 by his brother.
Conn, who was also a grandson, through his mother Lady Eleanor FitzGerald, of Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare, became chief of the Tyrone branch of the Ó Néills (Cenél nEógain) c. 1519 after the death of his uncle. At that time, to assume the title The O'Neill Mór, meant one assumed control over the entire Ó Néill nation. When Kildare became viceroy in 1524, Ó Néill consented to act as his swordbearer in ceremonies of state; but his allegiance was not to be reckoned upon, and while ready enough to give verbal assurances of loyalty, he could not be persuaded to give hostages as security for his conduct.
After Tír Eógain was invaded in 1541 by Sir Anthony St Leger, the lord deputy, Conn delivered up his son Phelim Caoch as a hostage, attended a parliament held at Trim, and, crossing to England, became a Protestant, made his submission at Greenwich to Henry VIII, who created him earl of Tyrone for life, and made him a present of money and a valuable gold chain. He was also made a privy councillor in Ireland, and received a grant of lands within the Pale.
This event created a deep impression in Ireland, where Ó Néill's submission to the English king, and his acceptance of an English title, were resented by his clansmen and dependents. The rest of the earl's life was mainly occupied by endeavours to maintain his influence, and by an undying feud with his younger son Shane, arising out of his transaction with Henry VIII. For not only did the nomination of Ó Néill's reputed son Matthew as his heir with the title of baron of Dungannon by the English king conflict with the Irish custom of tanistry, which regulated the chieftainship of the Irish clans, but Matthew, if indeed he was Ó Néill's son at all, was illegitimate. Shane, Conn's eldest living legitimate son, was not the man to submit tamely to any invasion of his rights. The fierce family feud only terminated when Matthew was murdered by agents of Shane in 1558; Conn dying about a year later.
Conn was twice married and had numerous sons. His first wife was Lady Alice Fitzgerald, daughter of Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare. His known sons were Phelim Caoch O'Neill. "Caoch" was the nickname for someone with poor eyesight or "the blind". Prince Phelim Caoch was killed on a raid against the MacDonalds by "a single thrust from a gallowglass", prior to his father's submission to Henry VIII. Shane O'Neill was also the son of his first wife. His second wife was Alice O'Neill a daughter of Hugh Boy O'Neill of Clanaboy. An illegitimate daughter of Conn married the celebrated Sorley Boy MacDonnell. His family spread throughout Ireland, Scotland, Europe and the New World during the downfall of the Gaelic Order, and today there are numerous families with a direct descent from Conn.
At his death, Conn's lands and family were in turmoil; however, at the peak of his lengthy reign, he was the most powerful Irish king. He was known throughout Europe as a strong and able leader, a hearty warrior, and looked to by the Catholic world as a bastion of strength against the English crown, despite his conversion to the Protestant faith.
| Preceded by Art Og mac Cuinn |
King of Tír Eógain 1519–after July 17, 1559 |
Succeeded by Seán Donnghaileach and Diomuis mac Cuinn Bhacaigh |
| Preceded by New Creation |
Earl of Tyrone 1542–1556 |
Succeeded by Hugh O'Neill |