Formerly known as 'The Queen's O'Doherty, Cathair Rua, the young chief of Inishowen, emerged as a pivotal ally of Sir Henry Docwra - the City's second founder, and he was Knighted for his loyalty to the Crown. His loyalty was tested however, when Docwra was replaced by Sir George Paulet, the new governor, who publicly insulted him, causing him to 'turn traitor'.
Jointly hosted by the University of Ulster and Derry City Council, in association with the McGlinchey Summer School, the conference explored the motivation, course and character of the O'Doherty revolt 400 hundred years ago and what it meant for Irish history by some notable members of the O'Doherty clan.
The impact of Sir Cathair's ill-fated 11-week rebellion, which was a postscript to The Flight of the Earls and a prelude to the Plantation of Ulster, was significant, according to Dr Eamonn Ó Ciardha, one of the conference organisers.
"The collapse of the rebellion and O'Doherty's subsequent bloody end was most significant as it enabled the Plantation of Ulster to proceed on a much greater scale than had previously been anticipated," he said.
The speakers included: Dr. Pádraig Lenihan (University of Limerick), Dr. Annaleigh Margey (University of Aberdeen), David Finnegan (IRCHSS Fellow, Trinity College Dublin), Dr. Henry Jeffries (Thornhill College) independent scholars Brian O'Doherty and Dr. Darren McGettigan.
While Sir Cathair O'Doherty may have been one of the first Doherty's to make his mark on Irish history, many others have followed in his wake including the panellists for an intriguingly entitled panel discussion; 'From City Arsonists to City Architects: Derry, Inishowen and the O'Dohertys in the 21 Century'.
The Friday afternoon discussion included prominent local businessmen and community activists. Among them were James Doherty, Paddy 'Bogside' Doherty, Brian O'Doherty, Brian Dougherty and Garvan O'Doherty. Chairing the discussion is Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ulster.