O’Donnell, Hugh Roe

(1572 –1602),also known as Red Hugh O’Donnell, was sixteenth-century Irish nobleman. He became ruler of Tyrconnell in 1593 after a succession dispute among the O’Donnell dynasty, and after escaping a five-year imprisonment in Dublin Castle by the English. Along with his father-in-law Hugh O’Neill of Tyrone, he led the Irish alliance in the Nine Years’ War against the English government in Ireland. Hugh Roe led an Irish army to victory in the Battle of Curlew Pass. After defeat in the Siege of Kinsale, he travelled to Spain to seek support from Philip III. Unsuccessful, he died in Spain.