Siege of Donegal

The Siege of Donegal took place in August 1601 during the Nine Years' War in Ireland, when a Gaelic Irish army led by Hugh Roe O'Donnell laid siege to the town of Donegal.[1] The garrison of the town were a mixture of English troops and allied Gaelic troops led by Niall Garve O'Donnell. Heavy fighting took place during the month-long siege in which Donegal Abbey was wrecked by an accidental gunpowder explosion. Having suffered several repulses, Hugh Roe O'Donnell abandoned the siege and moved his army southwards to Munster to take part in the Battle of Kinsale. In his absence, Crown forces were able to use Donegal as a base to capture the strategic town of Ballyshannon.

Siege of Donegal
Part of the Nine Years' War

Donegal Abbey
DateAugust 1601
Location
Donegal, County Donegal, Ireland
Result Crown victory
Belligerents

Kingdom of England

 Irish alliance
Commanders and leaders
Niall Garve O'Donnell
Conn O'Donnell		 Hugh Roe O'Donnell

Conn O'Donnell was killed during the siege, while fighting for the Crown.

References
  1. McGurk p.113-16

Bibliography
  • McGurk, John. Sir Henry Docwra, 1564-1631: Derry's Second Founder. Four Courts Press, 2006.
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