... is one of the foremost historians of all these islands.

Remember too, he cautions me that, The Countess of Tyrone who fled with the earl was a 'Newry' woman, the daughter of the Lord of Iveagh.

We have our own place in history!

Anyway, John emailed me as follows …
 

“My new illustrated history of the Flight of the Earls is being launched at the National Museum in Dublin on 4th of Sept. at 6.00pm. Any one interested in attending, please contact me at johnmccavitt.hotmail.com” …

and supplied the following press release for the perusal of Newry Journal readers ………….

The Flight of the Earls, an illustrated history by Dr John McCavitt,  FRHistS

This is the first fully illustrated book about one of the most colourful and defining moments in Irish history.  The publication features a wide range of contemporary images, photographs of the surviving built heritage and modern art. Among the highlights is a rare portrait of Owen Roe O'Neill (published courtesy of the chief of the Clandeboy O'Neills, Don Hugo O'Neill from Portugal).  Frescos from St.Isidore's, Rome, the home of Irish Franciscans since 1625, include a representation of the arms of the ancient 'five' provinces of Ireland, including ‘royal’ Meath but excluding the Red Hand of Ulster.  Among the modern art exhibits is an original double page colour spread impression of the earls' arrival in France drawn by Seán Ó Brógáin, the artist who drew the 400th anniversary stamps for An Post.

Building on John McCavitt’s previously published work, The Flight of the Earls (Dublin, 2002) it contextualises the exodus of the northern earls in terms of the N. Ireland peace process and reveals new insights into the reasons for the Flight of the Earls, not least the link with ‘Ireland’s Helen’, Mabel Bagenal, the protestant beauty.  Her elopement with the dashing Earl of Tyrone precipitated a family feud with the Bagenals over her unpaid dowry (evoking connotations of The Quiet Man) that unleashed a tidal wave of events that not only led to the Nine Years War but arguably swept the earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnell to the continent in 1607.  

A subject of local, national and international appeal, the book emphasises the impact of the imprisonment of Dublin aldermen following the Gunpowder Plot in England in 1605 on the way events unfolded at Rathmullan two years later. Also considered in greater depth is the role played by the Fermanagh chieftain, Cúchonnacht Magure, in orchestrating the earls' escape in 'Maguire's Ship', as well as events in Derry that altered the course of Irish history. An event of considerable international importance at the time, it is fitting that this was reflected in the European complexion of those who took part in the Flight of the Earls. People from at least four different countries were involved: Irishmen, French, a Spaniard and a Scot. While many who departed from the shores of Lough Swilly were Ulstermen, evidence shows that all four provinces were represented on the vessel that left Rathmullan.

Considerable attention in this 400th anniversary year has focused on who comprised the so-called 'Noble Ninety-Nine', those who departed from Rathmullan in September 1607.  A chapter tackles some of the myths that have arisen over the centuries in this regard.  The 'fate and fortunes' of those who took part in the exodus is also charted, with poignant details of what happened to the earls themselves and the leading nobles as well as examining the adventures and misadventures of the women and children who took part.  Perhaps most revealingly of all, the book chronicles the fate of those who managed to make it back to Ireland.

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THE AUTHOR

Dr John McCavitt, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, is a widely published author. As well as a range of scholarly articles, his books include Sir Arthur Chichester, Lord Deputy of Ireland, 1605-1616 (Belfast, 1998) and The Flight of the Earls (Dublin, 2002).  

A regular media contributor in both print and radio, he has lectured extensively in Ireland and abroad. He was an historical consultant to the Ulster Scots Agency during the 400^th anniversary commemorations of the Hamilton and Montgomery settlement in County Down in 2006, appearing in the BBC documentary, The Dawn of the Ulster Scots.

He also acted as an historical consultant to BBC N. Ireland’s three part Flight of the Earls television series (2007).  He maintains a website at www.theflightoftheearls.net.