Essex in Ireland - Campaign Preparations

Campaign Preparations

The grand strategy favoured at Dublin, of attacking by land and sea simultaneously, was probably impossible with English resources, given the rumours of a fresh Armada from Spain and the consequent need to keep the warships in southern waters. Contrary to the urgings of the Irish council, the privy council at London settled on a straight land campaign against the northern rebels, and the plan for an amphibious expedition to establish a base at lough Foyle in O'Neill's rear in the northern province of Ulster was abandoned.

The Dublin council then advised Essex to refrain from an immediate attack on O'Neill and his fellow rebel, Hugh Roe O'Donnell. Experience suggested that the want of forage, with lean cattle and weak draught-horses, would crucially hinder a northern campaign at this point. Instead, it was suggested that he attack the rebel allies in the province of Leinster adjacent to Dublin, where, of the total number of rebels in arms, 3,000 were reckoned to have risen out alongside 800 mercenaries from Ulster.

In the north O'Neill displayed his strategic strength by stripping the lands bordering the Pale of all food and horses, in an attempt to forestall an expedition into Ulster. In the south O'Neill encouraged a rebellion by the White Knight and others in Munster, in order to distract Essex. In the west O'Donnell moved into Connacht, and it was believed that O'Neill would follow him and join with the White Knight.

The borders of the Pale were garrisoned with 5,000 of Essex's troops, garrisons around Cork were reinforced, and more troops were absorbed in Munster by Sir Thomas Norris (acting president of that province) and at Kilkenny by the Earl of Ormond. Sir Conyers Clifford's Connacht army was also increased to 3,000.