Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 42.djvu/206

 Chichester (1813–1883) [q. v.], who is separately noticed. 

O'NEILL, JOHN (1777?–1860?), temperance poet, was born in the city of Waterford on 8 Jan. 1777 or 1778, and was the son of a poor shoemaker. He left school when nine years of age, and was apprenticed to the shoemaking business under his uncle. In 1798 he was living in Carrick-on-Suir, and in 1799 went to Dublin in search of employment. He returned to Carrick in the following year, and there married, though in extremely poor circumstances. At this time he began to write verse, some of which became popular, and he produced a satire against master-tailors called ‘The Clothier's Looking-Glass.’ His poverty was great, but he prided himself on his sobriety. After his removal to London early in the century he tried many callings, but was unsuccessful in all. Meanwhile he wrote poetry, eight dramas, and a novel in three volumes, entitled ‘Mary of Avonmore; or the Foundling of the Beach.’ None of these works seem now accessible. Hampered by a very large family, he managed to subsist by working as a shoemaker.

Connecting himself with temperance organisations, he prominently identified himself with their principles, and attracted the notice of Mrs. S. C. Hall and George Cruikshank. In 1840 he published a poem called ‘The Drunkard,’ and dedicated it to Father Mathew [q. v.] For a new edition of 1842 Cruikshank designed his remarkable etchings of the effects of the ‘Bottle.’ O'Neill died about 1860.

His published works are: 1. ‘Irish Melodies.’ 2. ‘The Sorows of Memory,’ a poem. 3. ‘Alva,’ a drama, 1821. 4. ‘The Drunkard,’ a poem, 12mo, London, 1840; ditto, with a portrait and etchings by George Cruikshank, 8vo, 1842; another edition, under the title of ‘The Blessings of Temperance,’ and containing the author's life and portrait, 12mo, London, 1851. 6. ‘The Triumph of Temperance; or the Destruction of the British Upas Tree,’ a poem in three cantos, 12mo, London, 1852. 7. ‘Handerahan the Irish Fairy-Man, and Legends of Carrick’ (edited by Mrs. S. C. Hall), 12mo, London, 1854.

Another John O'Neill published a poem entitled ‘Hugh O'Neill, the Prince of Ulster,’ in Dublin, 1859. 

O'NEILL, NEILL or NIALL (1658?–1690), soldier, born late in December 1657 or early in January 1658, was the eldest son of Sir Henry O'Neill of Shane's Castle, co. Antrim, who was created baronet of Killelagh on 23 Feb. 1666, and his wife, Eleanor Talbot, sister of Richard Talbot, earl of Tyrconnel [q. v.] He must be distinguished from Niall Og O'Neill, a well-known Ulster tory (cf., Ireland from the Restoration to the Revolution, pp. 101–2). In 1687 O'Neill raised a regiment of dragoons for the service of James II; on 10 May 1689 he was sent with his dragoons into Down and Antrim, where he signalised himself by his bravery. He was also present at the siege of Derry early in 1689, and was afterwards despatched to oppose a detachment of Schomberg's army in Sligo. On 25 March 1690 he had a skirmish with an English force at Hacketstown, co. Meath, when he was wounded in the thigh, but quickly recovered (An Exact Journal of the Victorious Progress of their Majesties' Forces in Ireland, 1690, p. 4). About the same time he was appointed lord lieutenant of Armagh. At the battle of the Boyne he was placed with his dragoons at the ford of Rosnaree, a little below the bridge of Slane, which had been previously broken down; the object was to prevent Schomberg crossing and attacking the flank of James II's army. For some time O'Neill defended the ford with conspicuous bravery, more than once charging through the river and beating back Schomberg's troops. At length he was wounded and his troops gave way. He was carried from the battlefield to Dublin, and thence to Waterford, where, owing to the carelessness of his surgeons, he died of his wound on 8 July, aged thirty-two years and six months. He was buried in the church of the Franciscan abbey at Waterford, where his tomb is still extant. He was attainted in 1691, and his estates confiscated.

O'Neill married Frances, daughter of Caryll, third viscount Maryborough [see under ]. By her he had four or five daugh-