The Beara-Breifne Way, a walking trail in Ireland which follows…

The Beara-Breifne Way, a walking trail in Ireland which follows the route of O’Sullivan’s March during the Nine Years War.

by
u/oglach

O’Sullivans
March was a famous event during the Nine Years War. Which saw many
Irish clans, including the O’Sullivans, rise up against English
authority.

The short version is
that, after several defeats, Chieftian Domhnall Cam led the O’Sullivans
away from their lands in Béarra to link up with the allied O’Rourke clan
in Bréifne. A trek of over 500 km through enemy territory. Setting off
with around a thousand people, including women and children.

They
were basically under constant assault all along the way, and also
suffering from starvation. This occured during the middle of winter, and
much of the countryside was already decimated by war. Essentially a
wasteland of starving people competing for what little food was
available. This saw the O’Sullivans facing off against not only the
English and their allies, but also bands of equally desperate people.

By the time that they finally reached the O’Rourkes, only 35 of the original 1,000 remained.