The Battle of Ardnaree, a battle in the Tudor conquest of Ireland, is fought at Ardnaree, now a suburb of Ballina, County Mayo, on September 23, 1586. The result is a victory for the English over the Mac Philbins and Burkes. The conflict is a part of the political and military struggle, involving the English and occasionally the Scots, for control of northern Ireland. The anglicised version of the name Ardnaree can be translated to Árd na ríogh, meaning the hill of the kings.
The Mac Philbins and Mayo Burkes are in rebellion against the brutal English rule. An Irish-Scottish mercenary army, led by Donnell Gorm MacDonnell of Carey and Alexander Carragh MacDonnell of Glenarm, sons of the deceased James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg, are invited into Connacht by the Burkes to attack English settlements and forces. The mercenary army is fronted at Sligo, Coolony and Ballingafad by English forces for over fourteen days.
Sir Richard Bingham, governor of Connacht, follows the mercenary force to Ardnaree, where the mercenary force has camped on the east bank of the River Moy. Bingham’s forces surround the camp at night and attack the occupants. During the battle 1,000 mercenaries are killed, including Donnell Gorm MacDonnell of Carey and Alexander Carragh MacDonnell of Glenarm. Also slaughtered are some 1,000 men, women and children in the camp.
Richard Bingham goes on to hang the leaders of the Burkes, with the former lands of Mac Philbins and Mayo Burkes given to English settlers.
(Pictured: Sir Richard Bingham, governor of Connacht)
January 5, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Hi Jim,
I am involved in a commemoration this year that might be of interest to you.
Let’s keep in touch,
Dermot
dermotrice1@hotmail.com
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January 6, 2021 at 7:54 AM
Absolutely! Best wishes, Dermot!
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March 6, 2024 at 7:20 AM
Árd na Riagh / Ardnaree means then ‘Hill of the Noose’ or ‘Hanging hill’. The Four Maols were monks/priests who murdered Cellach of Kilalla and they were hanged on Árd na Riagh and were interred at Knockleaghta, outside the town where the ‘Dolman of the Four Maols’ still stands today.
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March 8, 2024 at 12:12 PM
Enjoyed the article! Do you know of any reading material on the Philbin’s from this time period?
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March 8, 2024 at 6:07 PM
Hello, Billy! Thank you for visiting my site. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any reading material on the Philbins. That, however, does not mean such material does not exist. 🙂 If I come across anything, I will pass it on to you. Best wishes!
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