he Martyrs of
Kilmallock--Death of FitzMaurice--Drury's Cruelties and Death--Arrival
of San Jose--His Treachery--Massacre at the Fort del Ore--O'Neill shows
Symptoms of Disaffection--Treacherous Capture of O'Donnell--Injustice to
Tenants--O'Donnell attempts to Escape--O'Neill's Marriage with Mabel
Bagnal--O'Donnell Escapes from Dublin Castle--Causes of
Discontent--Cruel Massacre of Three Priests--Tortures and Death
inflicted in Dublin on Bishop O'Hurley--O'Neill's Insurrection--His
Interview with Essex--He marches to the South--His Fatal Reverse at
Kinsale--The Siege of Dunboy--O'Neill's Submission--Foundation of
Trinity College, Dublin, on the Site and with the Funds of a Catholic
Abbey.

[A.D. 1579-1605.]

Exaggerated rumours were now spread throughout Munster, of the
probability of help from foreign sources--A.D. 1579. James FitzMaurice
had been actively employed on the Continent in collecting troops and
assistance for the Irish Catholics. In France his requests were politely
refused, for Henry III. wished to continue on good terms with Elizabeth.
Philip II. of Spain referred him to the Pope. In Rome he met with more
encouragement; and at the solicitation of the Franciscan Bishop of
Killaloe, Cornelius O'Mullrain, Dr. Allen, and Dr. Saunders, he obtained
a Bull, encouraging the Irish to fight for the recovery of religious
freedom, and for the liberation of their country. An expedition was
fitted out at the expense of the Holy See, and maintained eventually by
Philip of Spain. At the earnest request of FitzMaurice, an English
adventurer, named Stukeley, was appointed admiral. The military command
was bestowed on Hercules Pisano, a soldier of some experience.

Stukeley was reported to be an illegitimate son of Henry VIII. He was a
wild and lawless adventurer, and entirely unfitted for such a command.
At Lisbon he forsook his squadron, and joined the expedition which
Sebastian, the romantic King of Portugal, was preparing to send to
Morocco. FitzMaurice had travelled through France to Spain, from whence
he proceeded to Ireland, with a few troops. He had three small vessels
besides his own, and on his way he captured two English ships. He was
accompanied by Dr. Saunders,[444] as Legate, the Bishop of Killaloe, and
Dr. Allen.[445] They were entirely ignorant of Stukeley's desertion
until their arrival in Ireland. The squadron reached Dingle on the 17th
of July, 1579. Eventually they landed at Smerwick Harbour, and th