Nuala O'Donnell

Not to be confused with her mother Iníon Dubh, the 20th century poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, or the 15th-century noblewoman Finola O'Donnell.

Nuala O'Donnell
Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill
Bornc. 1575
Tyrconnell, Ulster, Ireland
Diedc. 1630
Leuven, Belgium
BuriedSt Anthony's College, Leuven
Noble familyO'Donnell dynasty
Spouse(s)Niall Garve O'Donnell
(m. 1591; sep. 1600)
IssueGrania (fl. 1607 - 1617)
FatherHugh McManus O'Donnell
MotherIníon Dubh

Nuala O'Donnell (Irish: Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill; c. 1575 – c. 1630) was an Irish noblewoman of the O'Donnell dynasty who took part in the Flight of the Earls.[1] She was known as "the Lady of the Piercing Wail".[2][3]

After the death of her sibling Rory, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, she became the key representative of the O'Donnell clan. During her time in Continental Europe, she petitioned both Philip III of Spain and James I of England to assist the O'Donnells. She died circa 1630, presumably in Leuven, where she is interred.

  1. ^ Swords 2007, p. 14.
  2. ^ McGurk, John (August 2007). "The Flight of the Earls: escape or strategic regrouping?". History Ireland. 15 (4).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :poem was invoked but never defined (see the help page).