Battle of Lifford
Battle of Lifford | |||||||
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Part of the Nine Years' War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Irish Alliance | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Sir John Bolle Sir Arthur O'Neill Niall Garve O'Donnell |
Red Hugh O'Donnell | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
c. 500 | Unknown |
The Battle of Lifford was fought in
Background
Lifford was both strategically and politically important as it stands where the
Niall had until recently fought alongside the Irish alliance, led by
Siege and battle
The English forces, commanded by Sir John Bolle,[3] captured Lifford on 8 October. As they neared the town, the thirty strong Irish garrison set fire to the castle and withdrew, but much of the small town was unscathed. Red Hugh immediately tried to recapture Lifford, but his initial attempt, which involved skirmishing around Castle Finn, left around twelve dead on each side without retaking the town. His forces then blockaded the town, hoping to starve out its garrison. Red Hugh was reinforced by Scottish redshank mercenaries hired by his mother on his behalf.[4]
At the end of October, the garrison marched out to bring the besiegers to battle. Niall Garve led the cavalry forces and during the fighting he fought Red Hugh's younger brother Manus O'Donnell in single combat.[5]
Although it remained under occasional pressure, the garrison at Lifford was maintained for the rest of the war.
Aftermath
The success at Lifford validated Docwra's strategy of forming alliances with Gaelic leaders, which was criticised by others. Niall Garve O'Donnell's defection was one of a number in which powerful Ulster Gaelic figures switched sides, and the balance of power in Ulster gradually shifted. Over the next two years other important towns such as Donegal, which was captured by Niall Garve, and Ballyshannon were taken by allied Anglo-Irish forces. These became part of a pincer movement that allowed English troops at Derry, Dublin and Carrickfergus to penetrate into the heart of alliance-held territory in Tyrone.
After the
References
Bibliography
- McGurk, John. Sir Henry Docwra, 1564-1631: Derry's Second Founder. Four Courts Press, 2006.