[2][1] Due to his father's occupation, Juan de Idiáquez y Olazábal spent his early childhood in and around the Spanish court.
[1] As a menin, he entered the service of Carlos, Prince of Asturias, the eldest son of King Philip II.
[1] Idiáquez lived in San Sebastián until 1573, when Philip II called him to Genoa to settle civil disputes.
O'Hely had been sent to Spain to urgently obtain 8,000 to 10,000 Spanish soldiers, to supplement Irish forces in their conflict against the Tudors.
"Philip II thought these demands were heavy, but ultimately felt pity for the plight of Irish Catholics.