Conn O'Neill (died 1601)

Conn O'Neill (d. 1601) was an Irish chieftain of the O'Neill dynasty, primarily associated with Tír Eoghain (Tyrone) in the late 16th century. He was a prominent figure during the Nine Years' War (1594-1603), also known as Tyrone's Rebellion, a major conflict between the Gaelic Irish and the English crown.

Conn was a son of Shane O'Neill, a powerful and rebellious chieftain who dominated Ulster in the mid-16th century. Following Shane's death in 1567, the O'Neill lordship fragmented somewhat, and Conn became one of several claimants vying for influence and power. He was frequently at odds with his cousin, Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, the recognized leader of the O'Neills and the central figure in the Nine Years' War.

Despite his kinship with Hugh O'Neill, Conn's relationship with the Earl was complex and often strained. He sometimes acted independently and occasionally even sided with the English against Hugh. This shifting allegiance reflected the turbulent political landscape of the time and the rivalries within the O'Neill family and among other Gaelic lords.

Conn O'Neill played a significant role in various battles and campaigns throughout the Nine Years’ War. However, his actions were frequently driven by personal ambition and the desire to maintain his own power base within Tír Eoghain. Details of his specific military contributions are often interwoven with the broader narrative of the war and are sometimes difficult to disentangle from the overall strategic objectives of Hugh O'Neill.

Conn O'Neill died in 1601, prior to the final defeat of the Gaelic forces at the Battle of Kinsale. His death further complicated the already precarious political situation in Ulster and contributed to the eventual collapse of Gaelic resistance to English rule. He left behind descendants who continued to be involved in Irish affairs in the subsequent decades. His story exemplifies the complex and often contradictory dynamics that characterized Gaelic society during the Elizabethan era.