Nicholas Bagenal

Who was Nicholas Bagenal?

Sir Nicholas Bagenal or Bagenal was an English-born soldier and politician who became Marshal of the Army in Ireland. He had no links with the town of Newry before he came here. However, the Bagenals had family links with the Irish government through Sir Patrick Bamewall, who was the Master of the Rolls in Dublin, he was married to a cousin of Nicholas. This connection may help to explain how Nicholas was recommended for military service in France in 1544. His descendants gave their name to Bagenalstown in Co. Carlow. During the Colonial wars, his whole family were involved in the undertaking of land in Ireland.