AN Irish mercenary in the Spanish army trained in the art of war by Franciscan monks.
EOGHAN Ruadh Ó Néill is one of the most famous members of the O'Neill Dynasty of Ulster, an Irish family which claim the lineage of Niall of the Nine Hostages, a legendary High King.
HAVING only left Ireland as boy in the Flight of the Earls, O'Neill became known as an incredible defensive tactician, oftentimes fighting and winning with significantly fewer soldiers than the enemy. He quickly rose the ranks of the Spanish garrison.
IT is often said that O'Neill's defensive capabilities could have changed the sequence of events that followed Cromwell's bloody tirade across Ireland.
BUT this is not how the story goes.
LUKE and ARAN discuss the unpredictable, fascinating and unfortunate rise and fall of Owen Roe O'Neill and read through a selection of tales sourced from the National Folklore Collection.
(also it is a really hot day upon the recording and the boy's concept of whats going on hangs by a thread)
