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
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