BattlefieldsAssault on the Blackwater Fort
Tudor

Assault on the Blackwater Fort

1595
Armagh, northern_ireland
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Armagh, northern_ireland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Kingdom of England
Forces
English: approximately 26 (soldiers and families), led by Edward Cornwall
VS
Victor
Irish alliance
Forces
Irish alliance: approximately 240 (initial force of 40 under Art MacBaron O'Neill plus a secondary force of 200)
Outcome
Irish alliance captured the fort; the English garrison surrendered after fighting lasted until 5pm and MacBaron threatened to burn the fort
The Battle

History & Significance

On 16 February 1595, a Gaelic Irish force assaulted and captured the English-held Blackwater Fort at Blackwatertown in County Armagh. The Irish were led by Art MacBaron O'Neill, brother of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and marked Tyrone's break with the English Crown as he openly waged war against the English forces in Ireland.

Confirmed battlefield location
Casualties & Losses

Irish: 23 killed (15 during the assault, 8 died later of wounds); English: few reported

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