William Óge Martyn

William Oge Martyn, or William Oge Martyn fitz Thomas, fl. 1566-1592, was a son of Thomas Oge Martin and Evelina Lynch of Galway. Bailiff of Galway in 1566 to 1567, kidnapped by the Earl of Thomond in January 1570, he fought at the battle of Shrule in April of the same year. He served as High Sheriff of Galway and Jailer of Athlone Castle during the 1570s and 1580s.

Martyn attempted to capture or kill the pirate Grace O'Malley at her stronghold of Rockfleet Castle in 1579, but was repulsed. In 1580 he personally hanged William Burke, third son of the 2nd Earl of Clanricarde, for rebellion at the gallows outside the walls of Galway, unaware that the condemned man had been pardoned.

Martyn served as Mayor of Galway from September 1586 to September 1587. He also served as a negotiator between the O'Flaherty's of Connemara and the administration in Dublin Castle in 1585 and 1586, and again in 1589 and 1590, when they rose in rebellion. He was survived by his brother, Francis, sons John and Richard, and was the ancestor of Edward Martyn of Tullira Castle (1859-1923).

References

*"History of Galway", James Hardiman, 1820
*"Old Galway", Maureen Donovan O'Sullivan, 1942
*"The Tribes of Galway", Adrian J. Martyn, 2001