Francis Kelly
I was awarded my PhD from University College Cork for my thesis about the career of 'Captain Francisco de Cuéllar (published by Four Courts Press as Captain Francisco de Cuéllar: the Armada, Ireland, and the wars of the Spanish monarchy, 1578-1606'). Research interests include the Spanish Armada, Breifne O’Rourke, diplomatic, naval, and military affairs of the early modern era.
Supervisors: Dr Hiram Morgan & Dr Stephen Boyd
Supervisors: Dr Hiram Morgan & Dr Stephen Boyd
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Papers by Francis Kelly
It examines the career of Brian ‘na Múrtha’ O’Rourke as lord of West Breifne/County Leitrim. For twenty-four years he retained control over the north Connacht lordship, which coincided with efforts by the Elizabethan regime to extend crown authority into heretofore Gaelic-controlled territories. A decisive turning point was reached in his relations with the crown during the Spanish Armada crisis of September/October 1588. Not only did he provide safe haven to shipwrecked Spanish Armada personnel, he sought to instigate rebellion in the northwest. This stance led to the breakdown of dialogue with the regime, to open revolt, and expulsion from Breifne in 1590. The essay explores why O’Rourke acted in this manner. What influenced his decision-making? Were his motivations parochial, limited solely to his retention of power in Breifne? Or were his actions influenced by external factors as well? What of the armada crisis in the northwest? Was its effect merely transitory, or can we regard it as contributing to the descent into the general conflict of the 1590s?
It examines the career of Brian ‘na Múrtha’ O’Rourke as lord of West Breifne/County Leitrim. For twenty-four years he retained control over the north Connacht lordship, which coincided with efforts by the Elizabethan regime to extend crown authority into heretofore Gaelic-controlled territories. A decisive turning point was reached in his relations with the crown during the Spanish Armada crisis of September/October 1588. Not only did he provide safe haven to shipwrecked Spanish Armada personnel, he sought to instigate rebellion in the northwest. This stance led to the breakdown of dialogue with the regime, to open revolt, and expulsion from Breifne in 1590. The essay explores why O’Rourke acted in this manner. What influenced his decision-making? Were his motivations parochial, limited solely to his retention of power in Breifne? Or were his actions influenced by external factors as well? What of the armada crisis in the northwest? Was its effect merely transitory, or can we regard it as contributing to the descent into the general conflict of the 1590s?