(From O’Sullevan’s Hist. Cath. Hib., p.158)

OF his early life we know nothing. 

In 1581 he was appointed to the see of Ardagh. 

In 1587 he was transferred to the primatial see of Armagh.[1] 

Six years after we find him in Ireland, having come from Spain in the vessel of James Fleming, a Drogheda merchant. 

He was commissioned by Pope Clement VIII. To exhort the Irish people to persevere steadily in the faith, and, if necessary, to shed their blood in defence of their religion;and by Philip II. of Spain, to assure them that he would send them speedy aid. 

He went to Hugh Maguire, who was then in arms, and urged him to continue his efforts.

He took up his residence with this chieftain at Enniskillen, and was treated by him with great respect and kindness.

Sir William Russell,[2] hearing of his arrival, sent a messenger in all haste to Maguire, bidding him in the Queen’s name to deliver into his hands the Bishop, consecrated in a foreign country and belonging to another religion, who had lately landed in Ireland and had been received by him. 

This illustrious man was too religious to obey such an order; but knowing that he could not offer any resistance to the English where he was, he left his castle at Enniskillen, and taking the Archbishop with him, he retired with his forces to a place that was better fortified.

After some time they were joined by Hugh O’Donnell, then in his twenty-first year, who had been seized by the English some years before by a trick, and confined in the Castle of Dublin for four years.[3]  

Sir Richard Bingham, Governor of Connaught, sent William Guefert[4] with a small body of troops to attack him. 

The armies met at a place called Sciath na bfeart,[5] i.e., the shield of miracles. 

The cavalry of both was in the front, and advanced without any sound of trumpet. 

The day was very dark, owing to a thick fog, so that they were close to each other before they knew it. 

The signal was given, and both parties immediately began the combat.

Maguire, who was always on the alert, caught sight of the General of the opposite side, and pierced him through with a lance; the cavalry immediately gave way and fled. 

During the fight the Primate was engaged in hearing the sacramental confession of a heretic, and reconciling him to the Church, and while so engaged he received a deadly wound from an heretical soldier.

There was some doubt about the precise date of his death, whether it took place in 1593 or 1598. 

The date is now fixed by a letter of Sir Richard Bingham giving an account of his death to the Privy Council, dated June 28th, 1593.

See also Rothe, Copinger, Molanus, Ward, Annals EM., Lynch, Bruodin, Arsdekin, Porter, and Hueber.

[1] See Brady, Episc. Succession, i.221, 292
[2] He was Lord Deputy from 1594 to 1597
[3] See O’Clery’s Life of Hugh Roe O’Donnell, p.63
[4] Sir William Clifford.
[5] Near Tuisk, Co. Roscommon

Please pray for final perseverance for all of us!
May the martyrs of old inspire us all.