choice, his first-born son, Cathaoir Rua, had not yet come of age, and there were other forces at work wanting their own man installed. Aodh Rua O Donaill, the Lord of Tir Chonaill, wanted an experienced and mature man at the helm, someone who would remain loyal to him, effectively keeping the peninsula and its resources under his control. That man was Feilim Og, Sean Og's half-brother. The English commander in Derry, Sir Henry Dowcra, was not bothered who the successor was as long as they were ready to submit himself and the territory to the Queen. Aodh Bui Mac Daibheid wanted the young Cathaoir as successor. Aodh Rua O Donaill prevailed and Feilim Og was inaugurated in February 1601. His reign, however, was to be short lived. Aodh Bui Mac Daibheid, though cunning negotiations with both Dowcra and O Donaill, had Cathaoir Rua O Dochartaigh rightfully installed as Lord of Inishowen in May 1601. He was just 14 years old, and he was to be the last of the great Irish Lords. Ireland at this time was very fragmented, with feuds and arguments happening between different clans. The English were seen as just another enemy, and the rulers of the clans were interested only in keeping hold of their own lands. Aodh Rua O Donaill mobilised his army in May 1601 to attack Aodh Bui Mac Daibheid who was in alliance with the English. The reasons he did so are unclear. Maybe he thought he was being double-crossed when he agreed to install Cathaoir Rua as Lord of Inishowen. The battle took place on the sand plain at Pollan on The Isle of Doagh, not far from Carrickabraghy Castle. Aodh Rua O Donaill and his forces were beaten. Machtochair says 'The battle was bloody; the loss was terrible'. Although Cathaoir Rua, or Cahir Roe was Lord of Inishowen from 1601, he did not take full control until he turned 18 in 1605. His rule was a peaceful one until The Flight of The Earls in 1607. The English became suspicious the Earls would return with forces from Spain to reclaim their lands, and thought Cathaoir Rua had a part to play in this plan. In the autumn of 1607, Cathaoir Rua went to chop wood at Kilmacrennan for building purposes. English spies reported this as Cathaoir Rua mobilising for a rebellion. Cathaoir heard of these English suspicions and sensed