Hugh Roe McMahon (Irish: Aodh Rua Mac Mathúna; died September/October 1590) was an Irish Gaelic nobleman and Lord of Monaghan who reigned over Airgíalla from 1589 until his execution in 1590. He was from the McMahon clan of Oriel.

Family background

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He was the younger brother of Ross McMahon,[1] the Chief of the Name McMahon.[2] Upon Ross's death, two of his kinsman had claims to the chieftainship: Hugh Roe McMahon was supported by English law (per the surrender and regrant policy) and Brian Mac Aodha Oig McMahon was supported by brehon law. The English Lord Deputy of Ireland, William FitzWilliam, planned to divide Monaghan between the claimants, preventing a potentially bloody succession dispute and also weakening the McMahon clan.[1]

After Ross's death, Hugh Roe McMahon went to Dublin to claim his inheritance. A few days after arriving there, FitzWilliam had three other claimants summoned.[1] FitzWilliam proposed dividing Monaghan four ways. McMahon objected violently, but was threatened with a charge of treason and so ultimately accepted.[3]

Death

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Hugh Roe McMahon was sentenced to execution in September 1590.[4]

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c Duinnshleibhe 1955, p. 42.
  2. ^ Duinnshleibhe 1955, p. 40.
  3. ^ Duinnshleibhe 1955, p. 43.
  4. ^ McGinty, Matthew (2013), The Development and Dynamics of the Relationship between Hugh O’Neill and Red Hugh O’Donnell

Sources

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Further reading

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