Saving Irish Chieftain- Red Hugh O'Donnell

Set in Ireland in 1592, this is the sad story of how two young men were imprisoned by the English without trail and held for literally years as hostages. They made their escape from captivity in Dublin Castle to an independent chieftain in the Wicklow Mountains (Fiach McHugh O'Byrne). Their names were Red Hugh O'Donnell and Art O'Neill. Hugh O'Donnell would go on to become a leader of the Ulster Irish along with the great Hugh O'Neill to conduct the Nine Years (1593-1603) war with the English forces in Ireland. In these years the Ulstermen had great victories against the English forces but would ultimately fail when their great Northern armies we forced to march to the very South of Ireland to help a besieged Spanish military force, resulting in the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. The result of the loss of their army would give rise to the Flight of the Earls in 1607 where the last great vestige of Gaelic control in Ireland was lost to England.
#redhughodonnell #nineyearswar #valladoloid #artoneill#artoneillchallenge
Some Notes to the Video
The death of Red Hugh; in Valladolid the old capital of Spain, was thought to have been poisoned by the English by an Irishman -James Blake. Red Hugh's Irish (& correct name) is Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill.
Arts Cross is a well known landmark to hikers in the Wicklow hills. The large cross was originally placed there in 1932 but was replaced in 1993 by the ESB (Electrical supply board) hiking club and a helicopter was used to carry the wood to the top of the hill.
Picture Credits
Hugh Rua O Donnell - Vonda LaVoie
Arts Cross - Rob Hurson
Bermingham Tower - Dicklyon
Procesión de Paz y Reconciliación. Cofradía de las Siete Palabras (Valladolid) - Lourdes Cardenal
Welcome to my channel, that is dedicated to the history and culture of Ireland.This is not set out to be a history lesson, but a ramble through some stories you might find interesting about Ireland. Ireland has so many connections throughout the world from the emigration from this country over so many centuries, but those with Irish blood in their families always have a yearning to know more about their "old country", this is my attempt to bring some of the history and culture they left behind. So if you fancy some tales about horsemen and highwaymen, banshee's and fairies, soldiers and rebels, legends and folklore, saints and scholars, please like and subscribe. Thank you for watching. Ronan.

[@irishhorsestories-factfict3162]

Great story!

[@jofasable]

We knew nothing of this important history in our schools ?
great video, thank you.

[@primalireland-histcult]

Thanks for the compliment and you're welcome 🙂

[@jamesbyrne295]

Fiach Mac Hugh

[@blackdeeplake]

Well done brilliant..

[@primalireland-histcult]

Many thanks!

[@silvermoontearoom7123]

God bless you for making your very important historical videos. You truly care about Ireland and it's people. We will never forget you showing us exactly what the path & terrain were for those brave men fighting to hold onto their homeland.
Please never doubt how much you are loved & appreciated. We pray that you and your family had a joyous Christmas and that 2025 will be a year of blessings, health & happiness... 💚☘️✨🥂

[@primalireland-histcult]

Thank you and best regards to you for 2025

[@silvermoontearoom7123]

We noticed that some of the comments wished they had been taught more about this important history in school. Perhaps the schools may be interested in your videos... ☘️

[@bunyip5841]

The long road to the GPO and independence. Good to keep the knowledge of these remarkable historic events alive.

[@primalireland-histcult]

Thanks for the input 👍

[@irishrebel374]

The war didn't end at the GPO. That's the problem with the mindset of some of the population. They think the job was done once they got their little cut.

[@johndoe-ss9bz]

@irishrebel374 :: The 2-Nation Solution imposed on the Island has given Ireland and England nothing but Trouble in the Name of Protestant Unity,

[@bunyip5841]

You are right. There was a War of Independence, followed by a Civil War, the Border campaign of the 1950s and the later war in the north. But 1916 was important in granting independence to 26 counties. @irishrebel374

[@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf]

Cheers. Happy New Year mate

[@primalireland-histcult]

And same to you and yours 🙂

[@noelryan6341]

Brr! The cold & exhaustion were palpable. English tactics of 'Divide And Conquer' certainly worked.

[@primalireland-histcult]

Correct and thank you for the input 🙂

[@johnbohan4222]

A gem of Irish historic tales, it was very enjoyable thanks.

[@primalireland-histcult]

Thanks for the compliment

[@johnbohan4222]

@@primalireland-histcult I'm grateful for the brilliant work you produce and thankful that I found your channel. All the best.

[@gerardodwyer5908]

Imagine the indignity of being a member of a Gaelic aristocratic family like the Ua Neill and finding yourself post escape from a dark Dublin prison cold, hungry and soaking wet praying for rescue by fellow Gaelic chiefs deep in the Wicklow mountains. And coming from a pre- Norman Gaelic aristocracy that ruled over Ulster since 2AD and held the High Kingship of Ireland many times. Political and tribal divisions caused societal havoc across Europe in the medieval era, and Ireland was not untouched. Such turmoil also impacted the "olde Englishe", the Germanic tribes that ruled England from 4AD alongside their distant cousins the Vikings of Scandinavia. They too divided and took sides before and after the Franco Normans conquered and colonised England in 1066. Ironically, despite centuries of being colonised islands, it was the island of Ireland that emerged from the turbulent decades of 17th and 18th century Europe to more robustly retain its Gaelic heritage and ancient identity as a new nation formed to advance in to modern times. By contrast the island of the colonisers' identity regionalised, becoming diluted and ever changing to reflect the melting pot dynamic flowing from perilous empire building. Great and timely video. This is Gaelic history we need to hear much more about. Looking forward to your next topic.

[@primalireland-histcult]

Thanks for the insight and have a happy new year 👍

[@silvermoontearoom7123]

@@gerardodwyer5908 I don't know if you have seen his previous videos. They are excellent, too. Happy New Year! ☘️

[@gerardodwyer5908]

And best wishes to you for a busy, productive and fruitful 2025.

[@irishrebel374]

@@gerardodwyer5908 2nd century A.D???. What tripe do you sputter fella lol

[@DJJinxC2006]

Another great vlog, thanks mate and Happy New Year.

[@primalireland-histcult]

Thanks pal!

[@Éireanngobrách]

Just found your channel. I'm so glad a fellow Irishman is creating amazing quality videos. They are so interesting and of great quality. I loved the video about the knights Templar.

[@primalireland-histcult]

Many thanks for the compliment and support!

[@kieran9158]

I love it im from gonegal god rest red hugh

[@primalireland-histcult]

Amen

[@TonyM540]

An excellent video. Thank you for your time in making it.

[@primalireland-histcult]

Thanks for the compliment 🙂

[@cemu1065]

We were never taught this in school. Thank you 🙏👍. Just subbed 👍

[@primalireland-histcult]

Thanks for the support 🙂

[@martinwilson8218]

Thank you that was brilliant from Tyrone

[@primalireland-histcult]

Thanks for the compliment Martin 👍

[@PythagorasHyperborea]

Ireland loves you all, but this is our home.

[@feral7523]

Happy New Year.
Love this era & hate this era equally!!
A very frustrating part of Irish history.

[@primalireland-histcult]

Too true

[@SeanDonaghey-x8u]

Thank You. .SEAN DHONNCHAIDH

[@primalireland-histcult]

Thanks Sean