Sir Brian O'Neill, 2nd Baronet
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Sir Brian O'Neill, 2nd Baronet (died 1694/1697) was an Irish landowner, barrister and judge. He was one of the Roman Catholic judges appointed by King James II of England in his effort to "Romanise" the Irish administration. As such he and his fellow Catholic judges have been treated harshly by historians. However William of Orange, after he overthrew his father-in-law James II, also made use of O'Neill's services for a time.[1] He was the second of the O'Neill Baronets of Upper Claneboys.
His branch of the O'Neill dynasty belonged to the Clanaboye O'Neills, but not much is recorded about them prior to the English Civil War. Brian's father, also named Brian, was the son of Neill Óg O'Neill and Lady Sarah MacDonnell, daughter of Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim and his wife Ellis, daughter of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone. The elder Brian fought at the Battle of Edgehill in 1642. The following year he was created a baronet as a reward for the courage and loyalty he displayed in battle.[2] There is conflicting information about his wife who has been variously described as Jane Finch, a cousin of Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Nottingham, or as Sarah Savage of Portaferry.[1] The main family estate was at Upper Clandeboye in County Down, and they also held lands at Backweston, near Celbridge, County Kildare.
Early career
The younger Brian entered Gray's Inn in 1664, and the King's Inn in 1674.[1] He succeeded to the baronetcy in 1670 (or, according to some sources, in 1680).[3] He married his cousin Mary Plunkett, daughter of Edward Plunkett, and sister of Christopher Plunkett, 10th Baron of Dunsany, and widow of James Wolverston of Stillorgan.[2] Her mother Lady Catherine MacDonnell was a sister of the Marquess of Antrim,[2] who had been a great favourite of Charles I of England and his Queen Henrietta Maria. Catherine's sister Lady Sarah MacDonnell was Bryan's grandmother. These influential family connections were no doubt one of the reasons why he escaped political disgrace after the downfall of James II.
