Battle of Clontibret

Battle of Clontibret
Part of the Nine Years' War
Marker stone at the site of the battle
Date 25–27 May 1595 Location near Clontibret, County Monaghan, Ireland Result Irish victory
Belligerents
England	Irish Alliance
Commanders and leaders
Sir Henry Bagenal	Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone
Strength
1,750	4,000
Casualties and losses
300–700 killed, more wounded	Low

The Battle of Clontibret was fought in County Monaghan in May 1595, during the Nine Years' War in Ireland. A column of 1,750 English troops led by Henry Bagenal was ambushed near Clontibret by a larger Gaelic Irish army led by Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone. The English column had been sent to relieve the besieged English garrison at Monaghan Castle. The English suffered very heavy losses, but a suicidal cavalry charge apparently saved it from destruction. The Irish victory shocked the English and was their first severe setback during the war.