Battle of Curlew Pass

Battle of Curlew Pass
Part of the Nine Years' War

The 'Gaelic Chieftain' statue overlooks the N4 bypass, but is 2 kilometers north east of the battlefield.
Date15 August 1599
Location53°59′51.000″N 8°18′43.999″W / 53.99750000°N 8.31222194°W / 53.99750000; -8.31222194
Result Rebel victory
Belligerents
Irish Government
Kingdom of England
Rebels
Commanders and leaders
Sir Conyers Clifford 
Sir Alexander Radcliffe 
Captain Ralph Constable
Sir Griffin Markham (WIA)
Sir Arthur Savage
Henry Cosby 
Red Hugh O'Donnell
Brian Óg O'Rourke (WIA)
Conor MacDermott
Strength

~1,700[1]

  • 1,500 infantry
  • 200 Cavalry

~2,500

  • 1,500 Infantry
  • 250 Light Cavalry
  • 600 musketeers
  • 160 Gallowglasses
Casualties and losses
850 killed Low
Battle of Curlew Pass is located in Ireland
Battle of Curlew Pass
Location within Ireland

The Battle of Curlew Pass was fought on 15 August 1599 during the campaign of the Earl of Essex in the Nine Years' War, between an English force under Sir Conyers Clifford and a rebel Irish force led by Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill (Red Hugh O'Donnell). The English were ambushed and routed while marching through a pass in the Curlew Mountains, near the town of Boyle, in the west of Ireland. The English forces suffered heavy casualties. Losses by allied Irish forces were not recorded but were probably minimal.

  1. ^ A note of the army under the command of Sir Conyers Clifford, CSPI 1599-1600, p. 113