Tibbot MacWalter (Theobald Fitzwalter) Kittagh Bourke () (; ; – 1604) was the 21st and final Mac William Íochtar and was created 1st Marquess of Mayo in Spanish nobility.
Bourke was inaugurated in Kilmaine by Hugh Roe O'Donnell in December 1595 during the Nine Years' War to consolidate control of Mayo for the Irish confederacy. His tenure faced strong opposition from many Bourke nobles, especially his main rival, the loyalist chief Tibbot na Long Bourke. The struggle for dominance over the MacWilliam Lordship, which corresponds to modern-day County Mayo, was intense and the control of the region frequently changed hands. After fleeing to Spain in 1602 and being created Marquess of Mayo, Kittagh's departure marked the end of the MacWilliam chieftainship. Subsequently, Tibbot na Long was appointed Viscount Mayo.
Family Born in Ardnaree, near modern-day Ballina, County Mayo, Tiobóid was the eldest child of Walter Kittagh Bourke (died 1591), the High Sheriff of Sligo, and eldest but illegitimate son of Seaán mac Oliver Bourke (Sir John Bourke), 17th Mac William Íochtar and first Baron Ardenerie (d.1580). His mother was Mary O'Donnell, a seemingly distant relation to the Lord of Tyrconnell. Kittagh had four brothers – Thomas (d. 1597), Richard (d. 1589), Meyler and Walter, as well as four sisters – Mary, Cecilia, Sabina and the youngest sister whose name is unknown.Burke, pp. 170-171 The second youngest sister, Sabina, would marry the chief of Mac Sweeney Banagh.
While it is known that Kittagh was married, the identity of his wife and family is largely unknown. He had at least two children, Walter and Meyler.Knox, pp. 404 It is also suspected that John Burke, who was made commander of the Connacht forces during the Irish Confederate Wars in 1642, was also a son of Kittagh's, having been born in County Mayo yet spending "30 years in the service of Spain". John would have been about 10 at the time of Kittagh's journey to Spain.Martyn, pp. 137
Early life, arrest and exile
Kittagh first appears in historical records following his father Walter's involvement in the MacWilliam rebellion of the 1580s against the Composition of Connacht. This was an English policy under which Risdeárd Bourke was recognized as the rightful lord of the MacWilliam territories, making his eldest son the automatic heir. This policy threatened the lands and inheritance rights of other local nobles, including Walter Kittagh. Walter made peace with the English in late 1590, securing his lands, but died shortly thereafter, leaving Tibbot in charge of his estate.Knox, pp. 251
Despite having no role in the rebellion, Kittagh soon faced legal challenges from his influential uncles, Edmund and Richard. In response, the Lord Deputy issued a general pardon on 20 February 1593, for all in County Mayo, excluding Kittagh and three others. Governor Bingham later secured a pardon for Kittagh, which required validation at a court session later that year. Anticipating that his uncles would target him at this session in Mayo, Kittagh fled to the Pale but was arrested in Athlone.Knox, pp. 252
While imprisoned in Athlone, Governor Bingham sought a new pardon for Kittagh and arranged for his wife to visit him. Allegedly, she smuggled him a file, enabling his escape with several other prisoners on 28 September. Fleeing to Tyrconnell, Kittagh sought protection from Hugh Roe O'Donnell, with whom he would form a close friendship and alliance. Following his escape, Kittagh was declared an outlaw, his castles at Cloonagashel, Castlebar, and Belleek were seized, and small English garrisons were stationed in them.Knox, pp. 253, 255
Nine Years' War Rebellion in Connacht and return
In the early stages of the Nine Years' War from 1593 to 1595 the nobles of Connacht were largely sympathetic to the cause of the Ulster lords O'Donnell and O'Neill, and detested the presence of the Binghams (Richard and his brothers George and John) in their province. Most had risen up in rebellion against the Presidency by 1595 and the government in Dublin were forced to step in. While O'Donnell and the Connachtmen had strategically battled the English and had taken control of castles across the province, the government initially floundered in the face of the rebels.
Many of the soldiers brought in from England fell ill due to the damp conditions. The veteran soldiers who were already there were not given enough supplies and ammunition to retake lost territory, or even engage the rebels at all in most cases, and the new arrivals were so unskilled in the use of their weapons that their captains were forced to give them to the Irish shots in their pay. Kittagh had returned by August 1595 and was besieging Belleek castle, one of his former possessions.Annals of the Four Masters – 1595 Captain Fowle was sent to relieve it and set out on 3 October but was killed en route. When the remainder of his party arrived they found that the castle had already been surrendered.Knox, pp. 258-259
Sir Geoffrey Fenton temporarily relieved Bingham of his command and asked the Connacht rebels to meet him in Galway to agree a peace. On O'Donnell's recommendation, they refused to meet Fenton at Galway and instead insisted that the meeting be held at Moyne. They had drawn up a book of complaints and demanded only the removal of the Binghams and their officers. However, in separate negotiations, O'Donnell told the government that there would be no peace until Ballymote and all of Sligo were handed over to his kingdom.Knox, pp. 263
Inauguration In the late 1590s, the clans of Mayo were eager to reinstate the MacWilliam chieftainship, previously abolished by Perrot and Bingham. O'Donnell dedicated months in 1595 to rally Mayo's nobles for a traditional inauguration ceremony. On 24 December, they gathered in Kilmaine, where prominent clans such as the MacJordan, MacCostello, MacMaurice, O'Malley, MacDonnell, and others convened. The contest for the title was intense, with nine members of the Bourke family vying for leadership, including notable figures like Kittagh, Tibbot na Long Bourke, and Richard "the Devil's Hook" Bourke.Knox, pp. 263
Unbeknownst to the attendees, the outcome was predetermined. Flaunting his power, O'Donnell entered with a dramatic flair, backed by 1,800 soldiers, including his allies MacSweeney and O'Doherty, each commanding their own forces.Martyn, pp. 137 They strategically positioned troops in four concentric rings around the rath, with O'Donnell and his chiefs at the core, controlling access strictly. Despite the diverse opinions, William Bourke of Shrule emerged as a favorite due to his seniority and experience. In contrast, Kittagh, the youngest and least popular, garnered support only from the MacJordan and MacCostello chiefs, who praised his relentless energy.
Ultimately, in a highly untraditional and heavily guarded assembly, O'Donnell publicly endorsed Kittagh, anointing him with the MacWilliam title, to the surprise of many. This decision led to the capture of three rivals and the securing of hostages from the remaining contenders.Knox, pp. 264
However, O'Donnell's military approach to what was a diplomatic matter proved to be a misstep. By imposing Kittagh as leader, he alienated many, turning previously neutral or supportive nobles against him. This act of unilateral decision-making led the Connachtmen to question if their revolt against English rule had merely replaced one authoritarian ruler with another. O'Donnell's disregard for noble counsel at a site sacred for inaugurations not only embarrassed but also deeply insulted the local nobility.Martyn, pp. 137
Campaign into Galway Shortly after taking office, Kittagh, accompanied by O'Donnell and several allied chieftains, attacked the town of Athenry, burning it to the ground and capturing all the soldiers from the town and nearby castles. Subsequently, they sent a messenger to Galway city seeking provisions for their war efforts. Denied entry, the messenger was informed of the city's longstanding policy of not opening its gates at night under any circumstances. The Mayor of Galway, Oliver Oge French, expressed distrust toward O'Donnell due to the widespread destruction he had caused since the war began. The next day, O'Donnell sent French a letter offering money for provisions, excluding weapons, in an attempt to alleviate French's concerns. However, he also threatened to harm Galway city if they declined his offer. French replied that he would not assist the Ulster lord and his allies unless they ceased their destructive campaign in Connacht.
In retaliation, on the night of 17 January 1596, Kittagh and O'Donnell executed a surprise attack on Galway, burning several houses on the city's outskirts and killing six people before being driven off by cannon fire. A subsequent attempt to burn the same houses the next afternoon was thwarted when O'Donnell's agents were caught after setting fire to only one house. The rebels then retreated to Mayo, burning every village en route and warning the non-rebellious Galway inhabitants of harsher treatment by the Spaniards compared to what they had inflicted on Athenry. These early raids significantly eroded local support among lords and merchants for the rebel cause.Wright, pp. 467-469
Opposition by rivals and ouster In June 1597, Kittagh and Rory O'Donnell, Hugh's brother, were stationed in Tirawley, with a force 700 strong, 300 Connachtmen and 400 soldiers from Tyrconnell. They were in complete control of Mayo; and all of Connacht except for Galway and Clare had either joined or been captured by the Irish alliance. However, the newly-appointed Governor Conyers Clifford led forces deep into Connacht in an attempt to reassert English control over the area. Clifford ordered Tibbot na Long and O’Conor Sligo, whose forces numbered some 1,000, to rout out the rebels. Clifford marched to Collooney to cut off their retreat. Kittagh and Rory attempted to escape to Ulster in July through the Ox Mountains but were intercepted and decisively beaten by Clifford's forces while attempting to cross the Owenmore River, with the loss 200 men and 1,200 cattle.Annals of the Four Masters – 1597Building on his success, Clifford led his forces north and laid siege to Ballyshannon. However, he was forced to break the siege and retreat after five days upon receiving news that O'Neill had beaten back an invasion by Lord Burgh in Ulster, and was now free to join his forces with those of O'Donnell, Maguire and O'Rourke, which could potentially cut off Clifford's own retreat.
By the end of September, Kittagh returned to Mayo along with his allies Ulick Burke and Feriagh McHugh. The devastation caused by the war had led to famine and it was becoming increasingly difficult for both the rebels and the English to keep troops in the province for long periods. While his Ulster allies had retreated from the province, Kittagh intended to remain throughout the winter "through the strength of the bogs and the woods" as he knew Clifford did not have adequate manpower or supplies to push him out of Mayo. This second attempt at holding Mayo was also a failure for Kittagh and his allies. Safe in the knowledge that Clifford couldn't venture far into the county, they were ill-prepared for a surprise attack by Tibbot na Long, in which they lost 40 of their men (including Kittagh's brother Thomas) along with the remainder of their supplies, forcing them to retreat once again to Ulster.Knox, pp. 270
By the end of October 1597 Kittagh was once again in exile and all of his approximately 1,000 followers in Mayo who had risen up to join the rebellion had now applied to Clifford for protection from the rebels, chiefly O’Donnell, whom they feared might return. By mid-November sheriffs were re-instated in Mayo and Sligo for the first time in 3 years and Kittagh was left without local allies. Another incursion by Kittagh into the province in January 1598 was quickly repelled.