Sir Henry Docwra Lands at Culmore
1600 Culmore, near Derry, Ulster
Sent by Queen Elizabeth I to suppress unrest and rebellion in Ulster during the Nine Years’ War, Sir Henry Docwra landed at Culmore with a force of 4,000 foot soldiers and 200 horsemen. His military campaign laid the foundations for what would become the modern city of Derry.
Significance: Docwra’s arrival marked a key moment in the English conquest of Ulster. His fortification of Derry and the surrounding area would serve as a stronghold for English power and a base for further operations against Irish chieftains, particularly the O’Neills and O’Donnells.