A Christmas Massacre

Tully Castle was built on the shores of Upper Lough Erne in 1612 by a Scottish planter called Sir John Hume on former lands controlled by the Maguire Clan. After the Irish Rebellion of 1641 Catholics rose up against the new Protestant settlers. Rory Maguire set out to recapture his land and arrived at Tully Castle on Christmas Eve. The castle was occupied by women and children as most of the men were away. The castle was then surrendered by Lady Mary Hume who believed that she had assured a safe passage for all in her care. On Christmas Day, however, The Maguires killed 60 women and children and 15 men, sparing only the Humes. The castle was then burnt and the Humes never went back.