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Cò bha ann an Richard Bingham? Carson a bha gràin aig Gàidheil na h-Alba air? Rugadh e ann an còig ceud deug, fichead ’s a h-ochd (1528). ’S e Sasannach a bha ann. Choisinn e a chliù ann an Èirinn. Bha e an sàs ann an ceannsachadh na h-Èireann. Bha Ealasaid na Banrigh ann an Lunnainn aig an àm.

            Ann an còig ceud deug, ochdad ’s a ceithir (1584), chaidh Bingham a chur a dh’Èirinn mar riaghladair Chonnacht. Cha robh cùisean sìtheil ann an Connacht, ge-tà. Bha ar-a-mach ann. Bha na cinnidhean Gàidhealach a’ strì an aghaidh nan Sasannach.

            Anns an t-Sultain còig ceud deug, ochdad ’s a h-ochd (1588), bha Bingham fhathast na riaghladair. ’S ann an uair sin a sgap Cabhlach Mòr nan Spàinnteach à costa deas Shasainn. Chaidh na soithichean timcheall uisgeachan an iar Bhreatainn is na h-Èireann.

            Dh’òrdaich Bingham a h-uile saighdear is maraiche Spàinnteach a nochdadh air cladach Chonnacht a thoirt a Ghaillimh. Bhiodh iad air an cùr gu bàs an sin. Chaidh grunn soithichean air na creagan. Chaidh na ceudan de Spàinntich a thoirt a Ghaillimh. Bha iad air an cur gu bàs.

            Lean an t-sabaid eadar na Gàidheil Èireannach agus na Sasannaich. Bha na h-Èireannaich a’ dìon an dùthcha. Bha na Sasannaich ag amas air a gabhail thairis. Chaochail Richard Bingham mus robh Cath Chinn t-Saile ann. Thug an cath sin an aon seòrsa buaidh air na Gàidheil Èireannach ’s a thug Blàr Chùil Lodair air na Gàidheil Albannach. Tha fios againn cò thug buaidh aig a’ cheann thall. Cha b’ e na Gàidheil.

            Bha Richard Bingham an sàs ann am blàr an aghaidh Gàidheil Albannach. Agus dh’fhàg sin an t-uabhas dhiubh marbh. Cha robh e a’ sabaid ann an Alba, ge-tà. Thachair am batail ann an Èirinn ann an còig ceud deug, ochdad ’s a sia (1586). Bha Bingham na riaghladair air Connacht aig an àm. Thathar ag ràdh gun robh còrr is dà mhìle Albannach air am marbhadh air an aon latha. Bha timcheall air mìle gu leth fear ann, agus mnathan is clann aig feadhainn aca. Innsidh mi tuilleadh dhuibh mun ghnothach anns an ath Litir.

Who was Richard Bingham? Why did the Scottish Gaels hate him? He was born in 1528. He was an Englishman. He won his reputation in Ireland. He was involved in the subjugation of Ireland. Elizabeth was the Queen in London at the time.

        In 1584, Bingham was sent to Ireland as the governor of Connaught. Matters weren’t peaceful in Connaught, however. There was a rebellion there. The Gaelic clans were struggling against the English.

        In September 1588, Bingham was still a governor. It was at that time that the Spanish Armada was scattered from the south coast of England. The vessels went around the western waters of Britain and Ireland.

        Bingham ordered every Spanish soldier and sailor who appeared on the shore of Connaught to be taken to Galway. They would be put to death there. Several vessels were wrecked. Hundreds of Spaniards were taken to Galway. They were put to death.

        The fighting between the Irish Gaels and the English continued. The Irish were defending their country. The English were intending to take it over. Richard Bingham died before the Battle of Kinsale took place. That battle had the same sort of influence on the Irish Gaels as the Battle of Culloden had on the Scottish Gaels. We know who was victorious in the end. It wasn’t the Gaels.

        Richard Bingham was involved in a battle against Scottish Gaels. And that left many people dead. He wasn’t fighting in Scotland, however. The battle happened in 1586. Bingham was the governor of Connaught at the time. It’s said that more than two thousand Scots were killed on the one day. There were around fifteen hundred men, and the wives and children of some of them. I’ll tell you more about the matter in the next Litir