Catherine O'Neill, Countess of Tyrone
Catherine Magennis | |
|---|---|
| Countess of Tyrone | |
19th-century engraving of Catherine's husband Hugh O'Neill coercing her to depart Ireland | |
| Born | Before 1574 Ulster, Ireland |
| Died | 15 March 1619 Naples, Italy |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Shane O'Neill, 3rd Earl of Tyrone Brian O'Neill Conn O'Neill |
| Father | Hugh Magennis, Baron of Iveagh |
| Mother | Annabel Reilly |
Catherine O'Neill, Countess of Tyrone (née Magennis; before 1574 – 15 March 1619) was an Irish aristocrat. She was the fourth and final wife of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, a prominent Irish lord during the late Elizabethan and early Stuart eras.
Catherine was from the Magennis sept, a powerful family in County Down which enjoyed favour from the Crown. Refined and well-educated, she was betrothed to O'Neill in a political marriage during the Nine Years' War. Due to increasing hostility against her husband and his allies, Catherine reluctantly fled to mainland Europe in 1607. She was separated from her children and settled with her husband in Rome, receiving minimal support from Philip III of Spain and Pope Paul V. After her husband's death in 1616, Catherine faced major financial difficulties and constantly petitioned the Spanish government for their assistance. She died in Naples with many payments in arrears.