Flight (?) of the Earls
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THE FLIGHT OF THE EARLS Commemorate Festival was held in Donegal from September 7-16. Shown at the event are: Hugh O'Neill, Catherine Magennis, Frank O'Neill, Rory O'Donnell, Hugh Maguire.
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By FRANK O'NEILL
Lonely is Ireland tonight:
the banishment of her native stock
Fills with tears the cheeks
of her men and fair women:
That the land should
be desolate is strange
In 1607, a seismic event shook Ireland with the departure of Hugh O'Neill and Rory O'Donnell for Spain. Known as the Flight of the Earls, their departure resulted in the collapse of Gaelic Ireland, seizure of their lands by the Crown and the Ulster Plantation.
The departure altered the course of Irish history.
There is debate whether the departure was a flight and abandonment of the Irish people. In the Irish language the word is "Leaving." Hugh O'Neill (Earl of Tyrone) and the northern chiefs had waged the Nine Years War (1594-1603) against Elizabeth I defeating the largest armies ever dispatched from England.
Until the defeat of O'Neill and O'Donnell at Kinsale, there was serious doubt that the forces of the Crown would prevail. In 1603, O'Neill sued for peace and was given ownership of a far greater share of lands than his earldom previously possessed.
This surprising outcome reflected that the Crown needed O'Neill's power to establish any future authority.
There is no dispute that the departure was in haste. O'Neill left behind his youngest son and O'Donnell his pregnant wife. James I who had succeeded Elizabeth had summoned O'Neill to London because of concerns over his loyalty.
O'Neill was advised by his spies that if he went to London he could expect incarceration in the Tower or death. Meanwhile, Maguire had obtained a ship from France which when disguised as a fishing vessel sailed into Rathmullan, County Donegal.
The plan was for O'Neill and O'Donnell to sail for Spain to seek military support. However, stormy weather and politics ensured that they would never reach Spain.
In the archives there are many letters from O'Neill to King Philip III of Spain imploring the allocation of soldiers so that O'Neill could lead an army against the Crown in Ireland. The Irish Brigade fighting for Spain in Flanders was one source he requested.
However, Spain and England had signed a peace treaty and O'Neill became a pawn of power politics. If the treaty broke down, O'Neill would be useful to Spain but the status quo was preferred because of depleted treasuries. The evidence shows that there was no intention of abandonment.
My wife Joan and I joined other O'Neills from around the world to participate in events planned for the 400th commemoration. These events included lectures from prominent historians, visiting important O'Neill historical sites, attending a Clan banquet of the northern chiefs and enjoying a musical composition on the Flight of the Earls.
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IRISH PRESIDENT Mary McAleese unveiled a bronze sculpture at the 2007 ceremonies commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls in Rathmullen, County Donegal. The sculpture by John Behan depicts the Earls bidding farewell to their people as they are about to embark on a ship. The event has been described as a "cathartic moment" in Irish history which had left desolation in its wake.
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Simultaneously, BBC did a three-part television series on the historic event. The Irish government made available the replica famine ship the Jeanie Johnston (original built in Quebec in 1847) and we sailed in Lough Swilly while the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese unveiled a bronze sculpture of the departure of the Earls.
As part of the ceremony, actors re-enacting the departure rowed out in choppy water and a stiff head wind to our ship that was laying by. O'Neill and O'Donnell climbed aboard to the sound of bagpipes and not a few tears.
That evening there was a grand parade in Rathmullan and a magnificent display of fireworks. The crowd was festive and we met people from across Ireland that came for the event.
As we travelled across Northern Ireland to commemorate this event, we remarked how everything had changed from our previous visit in 2001. The cities were vibrant and Belfast is undergoing a transformation that reminded us of Vancouver after the Expo 86 World Fair.
The largest waterfront development in Europe today is underway at the Harland and Wolff shipyards. Ulster boasts magnificent scenery and an abundance of archeological sites that will attract an increasing amount of tourists that will stimulate further economic development.
On our final day we experienced the genius of the school children of the Fanad Peninsula, Donegal, who had participated in poetry and musical workshops resulting in the publication of a book of poetry and the creation of a musical based on the theme of the Flight of the Earls.
The Irish Chamber Orchestra and the children's choir performed this original piece. Clearly the literary and musical traditions are still strong as we marveled at their sophisticated use of the language and imagery at such a young age.
In April 1608, the Earls after being shunned by the Spanish were welcomed in Rome. Plans are underway to commemorate this event next year.
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