Hugh O’Neill

Hugh O’Neill (born c. 1605, Spanish Netherlands—died c. 1660, Spain?) was an Irish general, nephew of the celebrated Owen Roe O’Neill. He was a major Irish commander against the English parliamentary forces of Oliver Cromwell.

In 1646 O’Neill was made a major general of the forces commanded by Owen Roe. After the death of the latter (1649), he successfully defended Clonmel in 1650 against Cromwell for over a week before contriving to escape. In the following year he led his troops in defense of Limerick throughout the four-month siege by the forces commanded by Henry Ireton. So stubborn was his resistance that he was excepted from the benefit of the general capitulation accorded to the defenders, and, after being condemned to death and then reprieved, he was sent as a prisoner to the Tower of London. Released in 1652 on the representation of the Spanish ambassador that O’Neill was a Spanish subject, he repaired to Spain, whence in 1660 he wrote to Charles II, who had recently become king, claiming the earldom of Tyrone. He probably died in Spain, though the exact date of his death is unknown.