Hugh Roe ODonnell

Hugh Roe O'Donnell 1571?-1602, Irish chieftain and ruler of Tyrconnel (modern Donegal), known as Red Hugh. His father tended to favor the English, who left him free to continue the traditional O'Donnell struggle with the O'Neills, until Hugh was taken hostage by the English for his father's loyalty and imprisoned (1587-92). On his escape his father resigned the clan leadership to him, and Hugh participated in a rising against the English, which turned into a major war (1594-1601). Successful at first, and aided by Spain, he enlarged his own territories but gradually lost control over the other nobles who resented his personal ambition. He was defeated, with Hugh O'Neill, 2d earl of Tyrone , at Kinsale (1601) and fled to Spain, where he died.

O'Donnell, Hugh Roe (c.1571–1602). O'Donnell was married to a daughter of Tyrone. From 1587 to 1591 he was held in captivity in Dublin but escaped and built up a powerful position in Connacht. He drifted into open rebellion against Elizabeth, sharing Tyrone's victory at Yellow Ford in 1598. On hearing of the Spanish expedition to Kinsale in 1601, he moved south to join forces with Tyrone. They were routed by Mountjoy and O'Donnell left at once for Spain, where he died eight months later. His younger brother Rory O'Donnell took over the chieftainship.

J. A. Cannon