Background
O'Neill was born at Foxford, County Mayo, late in the 1600s. His mother, Ms. MacDonnell, being a cousin of Count Taaffe.
O'Neill was born at Foxford, County Mayo, late in the 1600s. His mother, Ms. MacDonnell, being a cousin of Count Taaffe.
To the generosity of Mr. Tennison of Castle Tennison, County Roscommon, he owed the possession of a large farm at a nominal rent. Though sightless he enjoyed a hunt with the hounds which in an open country like Roscommon subjected him to comparatively little physical danger.