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By exploring Irish-Scottish connections during the period 1603–60 this book brings important new perspectives to the study of the Early Stuart state. Acknowledging the pivotal role of the Hiberno-Scottish world, it identifies some of the... more
By exploring Irish-Scottish connections during the period 1603–60 this book brings important new perspectives to the study of the Early Stuart state. Acknowledging the pivotal role of the Hiberno-Scottish world, it identifies some of the limits of England’s Anglicising influence in the northern and western ‘British Isles’ and the often slight basis on which the Stuart pursuit of a new ‘British’ consciousness operated. Regarding the Anglo-Scottish relationship, it was chiefly in Ireland that the English and Scots intermingled after 1603, with a variety of consequences, often destabilising for English, Scots and Irish. The importance of the Gaelic sphere in Irish-Scottish connections also receives much greater attention here than in previous accounts. This Gaedhealtacht played a central role in the transmission of religious radicalism, both Catholic and Protestant, in Ireland and Scotland, ultimately leading to political crisis and revolution within the British Isles.
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This paper examines Scotland's relationship with Ireland during the later middle ages, focusing in particular on the House of Stewart's relationship with the O'Donnells of Tyrconnell.
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This collection of studies on the history of Gaelic Ireland is the product of four years of an essay competition, sponsored jointly by the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains (Buanchomhairle Thaoisigh Éireann) and Clans of... more
This collection of studies on the history of Gaelic Ireland is the product of four years of an essay competition, sponsored jointly by the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains (Buanchomhairle Thaoisigh Éireann) and Clans of Ireland (Finte na hÉireann). The works represent the winning entries and superior quality essays from 2013 to 2016, and cover the period ranging from the twelfth to the seventeenth centuries. The study themes range from political and social history to kinship and culture, relating to a selection of Gaelic Irish, Anglo-Norman and Scottish population groups who shared the island.

Over the course of the fifteenth century, the O'Donnells of Tyrconnell developed close ties with the Stewart monarchy in Scotland. This paper explores the relationship between both families and examines how the Stewarts often looked to the O'Donnells as a means of destabilising English power in Ireland.  The years leading down to the fateful battle of Flodden form a particularly interesting case study.
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This is sample page from my article in Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies. For further details please contact me directly.
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Over the course of the late 14th century and throughout the 15th century, the O’Donnells of Tyrconnell established themselves as one of the most powerful aristocratic dynasties in Ireland. By the early 16th century, the authority of the... more
Over the course of the late 14th century and throughout the 15th century, the O’Donnells of Tyrconnell established
themselves as one of the most powerful aristocratic dynasties in Ireland. By the early 16th century, the authority of the lords
of Tyrconnell extended across most of the northern half of Ireland. Their rise to prominence has received a considerable
amount of scholarly attention. Much of this has focused on the expansion of O’Donnell power within Ulster—namely the
ability of successive O’Donnell chieftains to raise considerable military forces within the lordship of Tyrconnell, which they
then used to impose their overlordship upon large areas of Ulster. O’Donnell power and prestige, however, extended well
beyond Ulster, and much of their strength derived from their ability to create and uphold a broad web of dynastic alliances
stretching across the island of Ireland—a topic which has received very little attention within the historiography of late
Medieval Ireland. Moreover, a strong maritime dimension underpinned many of their alliances. The O’Donnells’ capacity
to raise fleets from among their MacSweeny urríthe (sub-kings, or vassals) within Tyrconnell and their ability to create alliances
with powerful maritime kindreds such as the O’Malleys and Burkes of Mayo in Connacht gave them a major tactical
and strategic advantage over their traditional rivals, the O’Neills of Tyrone. Drawing upon a broad range of material from
within the wider Gaelic world (including Ireland and Scotland) as well as English and Scottish governmental material, this
essay explores the maritime dimension underpinning the O’Donnells’ rise to prominence during the later Middle Ages,
charts the development of the O’Donnell lordship within its maritime context, and demonstrates the importance of maritime
power within Gaelic Irish politics during this period.
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Although Richard II's Irish expedition of 1394–95 has attracted considerable scholarly attention, the focus has largely been on Richard's relations with the colonial administration in Ireland, pointing mainly to the colonial government's... more
Although Richard II's Irish expedition of 1394–95 has attracted considerable scholarly attention, the focus has largely been on Richard's relations with the colonial administration in Ireland, pointing mainly to the colonial government's plea for greater royal investment in the colony as the main factor underpinning Richard's decision to intervene in Ireland. Little attention, by comparison, has been devoted to exploring the king's relations with both the Gaelic Irish and Gaelic Scottish nobility. Using Richard's relations with the expanding Gaelic world as the main case study, this article reconsiders how developments in the Gaelic west influenced the king's decision to intervene in Ireland. Set against the backdrop of Anglo-Scottish relations and the Hundred Years’ War, the article draws on a broad range of Gaelic sources from Ireland and Scotland, English and Scottish governmental records, and material from the Avignon papacy. It uncovers and traces the development of the main Gaelic Irish and Gaelic Scottish dynasties during the late fourteenth century, their relationships with one another, and their unfolding connections with the English and Scottish crowns. By locating Richard's expeditions within the broader archipelagic context, this article argues that the wider Gaelic world, though on the geographic periphery of Ireland and Scotland, was capable of exerting a far greater degree of influence on the course of “British” politics than has previously been acknowledged.
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This paper explores the relationship between the Early Stewart kings (Robert II, Robert III, and James I) with Gaelic Ireland in the late fourteenth and early fifteenth century. The paper considers how the Stewarts often looked to Ireland... more
This paper explores the relationship between the Early Stewart kings (Robert II, Robert III, and James I) with Gaelic Ireland in the late fourteenth and early fifteenth century. The paper considers how the Stewarts often looked to Ireland for allies against the growing power of the MacDonald Lordship of the Isles.
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Short magazine article giving an overview of the O'Donnells' role in  the lead-up to the battle of Flodden in 1513.
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