Christopher Lynch (Mayor)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Lynch was Mayor of Galway
, fl. 1601–1604.
A member of one of The Tribes of Galway, Lynch was elected mayor during the Nine Years' War (Ireland)
, which had devastated Ireland
and left the town of Galway deeply impoverished and depopulated. The town itself had been besieged twice in the 1590s, and though not seized, had suffered the burning of the suburbs and the seizeing of goods and livestock. In addition, the town was obliged to pay for the maintenance of the town garrison
, amid controversy, since 1579. To this end he sent one of the merchants, Nicholas Darcy, to London
to seek much-needed payment and cancellation of debts.
The most dramatic event of his term occurred on 4 October 1601 when Lynch took the sworn statements of Andrew Lynch fitz Henry, merchant, and Doctor Thomas Lynch fitz Nicholas. The two had just arrived from Spain
, stating that a large fleet had sailed from Spain and had landed at Kinsale
, County Cork
. Their evidence suggested that the fleet's original destination was either Limerick
or Galway
, but had been forced to divert due to bad weather. The landing of six thousand men had taken place on 2 October; thus Lynch immediately sent a dispatch
to Dublin to warn the authorities. This in turn led to Charles Blount, 8th Baron Mountjoy, marching to Kinsale with as many men as he could take, where he laid siege to the town. The result was the Siege of Kinsale
, leading to the defeat of the Gaelic-Irish
. In turn through his many conquest and allies, Lynch has also been known to consort with great Scottish leaders, the most famous being one William Wallace of Darby Scotland. Though only a few families share the name Lynch almost all who do can directly trace ancestry back to the Lynch Tribe of Galway.
Christopher was the son of George Lynch, and served as mayor again from June to September 1603, following the death of Mayor James Riabhach Darcy (father of the Irish nationalist Patrick D'Arcy
.
Mayor of Galway
The office of Mayor of Galway is an honorific title used by the of Galway City Council. The Council has jurisdiction throughout its administrative area which is the city of Galway – the largest city in the province of Connacht, in the Republic of Ireland. The office was originally established by a...
, fl. 1601–1604.
A member of one of The Tribes of Galway, Lynch was elected mayor during the Nine Years' War (Ireland)
Nine Years' War (Ireland)
The Nine Years' War or Tyrone's Rebellion took place in Ireland from 1594 to 1603. It was fought between the forces of Gaelic Irish chieftains Hugh O'Neill of Tír Eoghain, Hugh Roe O'Donnell of Tír Chonaill and their allies, against English rule in Ireland. The war was fought in all parts of the...
, which had devastated Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and left the town of Galway deeply impoverished and depopulated. The town itself had been besieged twice in the 1590s, and though not seized, had suffered the burning of the suburbs and the seizeing of goods and livestock. In addition, the town was obliged to pay for the maintenance of the town garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
, amid controversy, since 1579. To this end he sent one of the merchants, Nicholas Darcy, to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to seek much-needed payment and cancellation of debts.
The most dramatic event of his term occurred on 4 October 1601 when Lynch took the sworn statements of Andrew Lynch fitz Henry, merchant, and Doctor Thomas Lynch fitz Nicholas. The two had just arrived from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, stating that a large fleet had sailed from Spain and had landed at Kinsale
Kinsale
Kinsale is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Located some 25 km south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and has a population of 2,257 which increases substantially during the summer months when the tourist season is at its peak and...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Their evidence suggested that the fleet's original destination was either Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
or Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
, but had been forced to divert due to bad weather. The landing of six thousand men had taken place on 2 October; thus Lynch immediately sent a dispatch
Dispatch
Dispatch or dispatches may refer to:In literature* Dispatches , a 1977 book by Michael Herr about the Vietnam War* dispatches , a magazine edited by Gary Knight and Mort RosenblumIn radio and television...
to Dublin to warn the authorities. This in turn led to Charles Blount, 8th Baron Mountjoy, marching to Kinsale with as many men as he could take, where he laid siege to the town. The result was the Siege of Kinsale
Siege of Kinsale
The Siege or Battle of Kinsale was the ultimate battle in England's conquest of Gaelic Ireland. It took place during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, at the climax of the Nine Years War - a campaign by Aodh Mór Ó Néill, Aodh Rua Ó Dónaill and other Irish clan leaders against English rule...
, leading to the defeat of the Gaelic-Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
. In turn through his many conquest and allies, Lynch has also been known to consort with great Scottish leaders, the most famous being one William Wallace of Darby Scotland. Though only a few families share the name Lynch almost all who do can directly trace ancestry back to the Lynch Tribe of Galway.
Christopher was the son of George Lynch, and served as mayor again from June to September 1603, following the death of Mayor James Riabhach Darcy (father of the Irish nationalist Patrick D'Arcy
Patrick D'Arcy
Patrick D'Arcy was an Irish Catholic Confederate and lawyer who wrote the constitution of Confederate Ireland.-Background:Born in County Galway, Ireland, Darcy was the youngest son of James Riabhach Darcy by his second marriage to Elizabeth Martyn. James Riabhach was formerly Vice-President of...
.