Eochaidh Ó hÉoghusa, or O'Hussey in English, (1567–1617) was a well-known Irish bardic poet.[1][2][3]: xii
Life
A native of Ulster, born probably in Baile Uí Eodhasa (Ballyhoo/Ballyhose), in what is now County Fermanagh,[1][2][4] Ó hÉoghusa was employed for much of his life by the Mág Uidhir (Maguire) chiefs of Fermanagh.[1][2] He received land during the Plantation of Ulster in 1610.[5]
Among his most well-known works are several poems included in the Leabhar Branach, a literary compendium of mostly Gaelic poets of Leinster,[3]: xii dedicated to the O'Byrne chiefs of Wicklow who "by their success in maintaining the independence and integrity of their mountainous territory against great odds until the final collapse, they were in a position to attract poets of repute from distant parts of Ireland."[3]: xiii
Not only did he compose praises for the Maguires, but wrote a poem in 1603 ('Mór theasda dh'obair Óivid..') celebrating the enthronement of James VI in Scotland,[2][6] and in his obituary, the poet was lauded as a man "esteemed by the Gael and the Foreigner".[2][6][7]
Aodh Mág Uidhir, Lord of Fermanagh, and a patron of Ó hÉoghusa
References
^ abcBreathnach, Diarmuid; Ní Mhurchú, Máire. "Ó hÉoghusa, Eochaidh (c.1568–1612)". An Bunachar Náisiúnta Beathaisnéisí Gaeilge [The National Database of Irish Biographies] (in Irish). An Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
