by J. Michael Finn
One of Ireland’s most historically significant songs is “O’Donnell Abú.” For many listeners it is also one of the most obscure in meaning. The song was written in 1843 by Michael Joseph McCann and originally published with the title “Clan Connell’s War Song.” It is about the struggle of Red Hugh O’Donnell and Hugh O’Neill against the forces of Queen Elizabeth I, as she sought to destroy the influence of the Irish earls. “O’Donnell Abú” means “O’Donnell Forward” and was the war cry of Red Hugh O’Donnell’s clan.
This particular struggle between Ireland and England began in 1594; it would continue until 1603. Red Hugh O’Donnell united his forces with those of Hugh O’Neill and fought the English for the first time in Irish history on an all-Ireland national level. The song portrays the call-to-arms for the O’Donnell clan.
Proudly the note of the trumpet is sounding
Loudly the war cries arise on the gale,
Swiftly the steed by Lough Swilly is bounding
To join the thick squadrons on Samier’s Green Vale.
On, every Mountaineer, strangers to flight and fear;
Rush to the standard of dauntless Red Hugh.
Bonnaught and Gallowglass, throng from each mountain pass;
On for old Erin, O’Donnell Abú!
Here the O’Donnell clan is proudly sounding the trumpets to rally all of their forces, advising them that a united force is gathering near Lough Swilly. They are called to assemble on “Samier’s Green Vale.” Samier is Irish for Morning Star and is the ancient name of the River Erne that flows through the counties of Fermanagh and Donegal.
Those living in the mountains are urged forward and any strangers (the English) in the area are encouraged to flee and be afraid as the forces gather under Red Hugh’s banner. Bonnaughts were Irish mercenary soldiers and the Gallowglass were Scottish mercenary soldiers. Both groups were in the employ of O’Donnell and were used to guard the mountain passes. They are urged to leave the passes and advance to join O’Donnell’s forces.
Princely O’Neill to our aid is advancing
With many a chieftain and warrior clan.
A thousand proud steeds in his vanguard are prancing,
‘Neath the Borderers brave from the banks of the Bann.
Many a heart shall quail under its coat of mail;
Deeply the merciless foeman will rue,
When on his ear shall ring, borne on the breeze’s wing,
Tyrconnell’s dread war cry, O’Donnell Abú!
Hugh O’Neill, the Earl of Tyrone, is advancing with thousands of his clansmen to join forces with O’Donnell. He is following the River Bann that runs through Antrim, Derry and Armagh—which the O’Donnell clan knew in their day to be O’Neill land (Borderers were soldiers who protected the border of O’Neill lands). The English, who wore coats of chain mail, will be afraid and they will deeply regret hearing the war cry of the O’Donnell’s. Tyrconnell means “Land of Connell,” the homeland of the O’Donnell clan. It was the original name of County Donegal.
Wildly o’re Desmond, the war-wolf is howling,
Fearless the eagle sweeps over the plain,
The fox in the streets of the city are prowling,
All who would scare them are banished or slain.
Grasp, every stalwart hand, hackbut and battle-brand,
Pay them all back the deep debt long due.
Norreys and Clifford well, can of Tyrconnell tell,
Onward to glory, O’Donnell Abú!
This verse brings to mind the terrific slaughter of men, women and children carried out by Queen Elizabeth’s soldiers across the province of Munster, where the Desmonds once held power (1579-1583). O’Donnell’s forces are reminded that the slaughter in the Desmond territory was so complete that the eagle and fox were boldly prowling the plains and streets of the city because the people who would scare them away have either been banished or slain.
The song calls upon all “stalwart hands” to pick up their hackbut (a type of musket) and battlebrand (an Irish sword) and pay the English back for the numerous atrocities they committed against the Irish in Desmond territory.
Queen Elizabeth appointed Sir John Norreys (pronounced as Norris) to the post of commander-in-chief of all her troops in Ireland. O’Donnell and O’Neill won most of their battles against Norreys and his experienced troops. Another of Elizabeth’s commanders, Sir Conyers Clifford, was in charge of Connaught Province. Clifford was killed by O’Donnell’s forces at the Battle of the Curlew Mountains in County Sligo in 1599. Both Norreys and Clifford could tell of the bravery of the Irish soldiers from Tryconnell and the song urges the Irish to continue on to glory.
Sacred the cause that clan Connell’s defending,
The altars we kneel at, the homes of our sires,
Ruthless the ruin the foe is extending
Midnight is red with the plunderer’s fires.
On, with O’Donnell then, fight the old fight again,
Sons of Tyrconnell, all valiant and true.
Make the false Saxon feel Erin’s avenging steel,
Strike for your country, O’Donnell Abú!
The final verse reminds O’Donnell’s supporters that their cause is indeed a sacred one and the safety and security of their homes and their religion is at stake. The Saxon enemy is extending their ruthlessness to the north, as the burning of Munster is again recalled. But, now is the time for the Irish to “fight the old fight.” This is the time to set aside any clan loyalties and strike against the false Saxon as a unit for the country of Ireland.
O’Donnell and O’Neill ultimately lost their fight with the English at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. Red Hugh O’Donnell went to Spain in 1602 to seek Spanish help, but died there under mysterious circumstances. Hugh O’Neill and the other Irish Earls were forced to flee the country in 1607 in what is called “The Flight of the Earls.” This flight brought an end to Gaelic Ireland. It resulted in the confiscation of the clan lands in the north and ushered in centuries of English rule. The words of the song remain to remind us of their valiant efforts.
*J. Michael Finn is the Ohio State Historian for the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Division Historian for the Patrick Pearse Division in Columbus, Ohio. He is also Chairman of the Catholic Record Society for the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. He writes on Irish and Irish-American history; Ohio history and Ohio Catholic history. You may contact him at
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