The siege lasted seventeen days, when a great snowstorm obliged the Deputy to return south.
Upon this episode the State Papers are silent; the Lord Deputy merely giving the following account of his northern expedition. “First, therefore, it may please your lordships, I undertook the journey the 4th November, and finished the same the 23rd of this instant, December, being seven weeks and one day, returning without loss of any one of Her Majesty’s army.”
When the English forces had retired MacClancy returned in great delight and fêted the Spaniards. He offered his sister to Cuellar in marriage, but this was declined. The chief decided to keep the foreigners as his guard, by force if necessary, but they hearing this left secretly. After much hardship Cuellar eventually crossed to Scotland from Dunluce, and from thence to Antwerp.
In 1590 MacClancy’s death is officially recorded as follows: “M’Glannaghe ran for a lough which was near, and tried to save himself by swimming, but a shot broke his arm, and a gallowglass brought him ashore. He was the best killed man in Connaught a long time. He was the most barbarous creature in Ireland, and had always 100 knaves about him. He would never come before any officer. His country extended from Grange beyond Sligo till you come to Ballyshannon. He was O’Rourke’s right hand. He had some 14 Spaniards, some of whom were taken alive.”
Thus in trying to reach Rossclogher fortress MacClancy lost his life, his head being exhibited in triumph.
The estates of the sept were forfeited in 1641, and the island fortress now belongs to St. George Robert Johnston, Esq., of Kinlough House, the village of Kinlough being near the ruins.
Upon approaching Lough Melvin from one direction at about a mile distant the castle of Rossclogher bears a most remarkable resemblance to a ship in full sail upon the lake.
H. Allingham, “Captain Cuellar’s Adventures in Connaught and Ulster,” with Translation of Narrative, by R. Crawford. Donovan, “Annals of the Four Masters.” O’Reilly, “Remarks on Captain Cuellar’s Narrative,” in Proceedings of Royal Irish Academy.
“In th’ historic pages of Erin’s green isle How bright shines the name of old Phelim the brave, Who lived where the groves of Shane’s Castle now smile, And Neagh’s crystal waters the green meadows lave.” J. S. M. C.