Fiach Mc Hugh O'Byrne - Desmond Rebellions

Desmond Rebellions

In 1579, after succeeding his father in the leadership of the O'Byrnes, Fiach joined with James Eustace, Viscount Baltinglas - despite a history of mutual enmity between their families - during the Second Desmond Rebellion. In the summer of 1580, the Earl of Desmond fled Munster into Queens County (aided by the O'Mores), where he joined the O'Byrnes near the Wicklow border. In August Fiach joined with the Kavanagh clan to ambush crown forces in Idrone (County Carlow): the Irish fought their way through the territory and, after burning the manor house, executed those Kavanaghs who had succumbed to the rule of the English Carew family.

In the same month in 1580, a new Lord Deputy of Ireland, Arthur Grey, 14th Baron Grey de Wilton arrived with 6,000 newly recruited troops. He found the country in a nervous state, owing to the threat of Spanish intervention in favour of the rebels. Crown commanders throughout the country were on guard, and Grey was beset at every point of the compass. It was clear that cutting off the source of so many raids against the underbelly of Dublin, within twenty five miles of the city, was necessary. In addition, an offensive into the province of Munster was expected, and before he might engage on that campaign Grey had to deal with the O'Byrnes to prevent them attacking him in the rear as he marched south. The campaign resulted in the Battle of Glenmalure.