Sir Walter Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh was regarded by his fellow countrymen as one of the grand scalawags of the Elizabethan Age. He made a name for himself fighting the Irish at Munster; later he was introduced at court and became a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. Known for his wit and womanizing, Raleigh was in and out of Elizabeth’s favour. He was involved in Ireland between 1579 -1602 – took part in the suppression of the Desmond (Fitzgerald) rising. His letters prove that he was the advocate of a ruthless policy against the Irish, and did not hesitate to recommend assassination as a means of getting rid of their leaders. Got 42,000 acres on the Blackwater river valley and the towns of Youghal and Lismore.  Youghal had been a walled and very important trading town and port from the Viking Norman times.