Aclint bridge crosses the Lagan, alias Glyde river at the ford where Elizabeth's ill-starred favourite, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, parleyed with the Great Hugh O'Neill on 7th September 1599.

Robert Devereux was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and was sent over to Ireland with a huge army of 16,000 foot soldiers and 1,300 horses to put down Hugh O'Neill's rebellion. They met at Aclint Bridge. However, Devereux's campaign was a total disaster and through defeat, illness and other losses his army was reduced to 4,000 men.

Problems at home marked the end of Elizabeth1's reign. The Irish rebelled and the economy soured. The Earl of Essex had captured Elizabeth's interest, but he became discouraged in his quest for power and led a rebellion in 1601. On his return to England, Essex was arrested for treason and beheaded in the Tower of London.