Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell
The Earl of Tyrconnell | |
|---|---|
Extract of a fresco depicting Rory O'Donnell, painted c. 1610 by Giovanni Battista Ricci | |
| 1st Earl of Tyrconnell | |
| Tenure | 29 September 1603 – 18 July 1608 |
| Predecessor | Title created |
| Successor | Hugh O'Donnell, 2nd Earl of Tyrconnell |
| Born | 1575 Tyrconnell, Ireland |
| Died | 18 July [28 July N.S.] 1608 (aged about 33) Rome, Papal States |
| Buried | 19 July [29 July N.S.] 1608 San Pietro in Montorio, Rome |
| Spouse | Bridget FitzGerald |
| Issue | Hugh O'Donnell, 2nd Earl of Tyrconnell Mary Stuart O'Donnell |
| Father | Hugh McManus O'Donnell |
| Mother | Iníon Dubh |
Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell (Irish: Rudhraighe Ó Domhnaill; 1575 – 18 July [N.S. 28 July] 1608), was an Irish earl and soldier.
A member of the O'Donnell clan of Tyrconnell, he fought alongside his older brother Hugh Roe O'Donnell during the Nine Years' War against the Tudor government. Following Hugh Roe's death, Rory surrendered to royal forces and in September 1603 was created 1st Earl of Tyrconnell. Rory was his brother's tanist but his claim to the chieftainship was disputed by his cousin Niall Garbh O'Donnell.
In 1607, Tyrconnell and his wartime ally Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, fled Ireland for mainland Europe in what is known as the Flight of the Earls. Tyrconnell died of a fever shortly after settling in Rome. After his death, his lands were requisitioned as part of the Plantation of Ulster. His son Hugh Albert O'Donnell succeeded him as 2nd Earl of Tyrconnell.