Life
?1544-1597 [also Fiach; or Fiacha Mac Aodha Ua Broin]; chief of the O’Byrnes
of Wicklow; stronghold at Ballinacor, in valley of Glenmalure; raided
Pale; combined with Rory Oge O’More, 1571; implicated in death of
Robert Browne; 1572; defeated the seneschal, and pardoned, 1573; attacked
seneschal Masterson in Wexford, 1580; joining Baltinglas[s] and advanced
within 10 miles of Dublin; Lord Grey de Wilton’s expedition against
Glenmalure defeated with great loss, Aug. 1580; submitted and pardoned,
1581; renewed submission, 1584, 1586, and 1588; proclaim traitor as being
held responsible for burning of the house of the sheriff of Kildare by
his sons, 1595; Ballinacor captured and garrisoned by Sir William Russell,
Lord Deputy; proclaimed traitor, with reward for capture; appealed to
Elizabeth, but joined Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone; captured by Russell,
8 May, and beheaded immediately; subject of patriotic ballad (‘Fiac
may do what Fiac may dare ... Follow me up to Carlow!’). ODNB DIB
[ top ]