Owen Roe O'Neill

Half O'Neill, half Kildare, Owen Roe carried two bloodlines into one war. Born near Loughgall around 1585, he left Ireland young, learned Spanish drill and Dutch killing fields, then returned to command Ulster. Benburb came in 1646, Kilkenny in 1647, and alliance with Ormond in 1649. He died on 6 November before the promised earldom could arrive, leaving behind a name still sharp enough to cut politics.