Ireland's 1798 Rebellion
The Irish Rebellion of 1798, also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion, was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland. The United Irishmen, a republican revolutionary group influenced by the ideas of the American and French revolutions, were the main organising force behind the rebellion.
The 1798 Rebellion was one of the most traumatic periods in recent Irish history. While documentary evidence for the majority of participants and victims is patchy there are three lists of c. 8,300 people from this period, which were published between 1798-1800.
The award winning National 1798 Centre offers a fascinating insight into the birth of modern democracy in Ireland.
The Society of United Irishmen, founded in 1791, embraced Catholics, Protestants and Dissenters in its aim to remove English control from Irish affairs. Their bloody rebellion of 1798, however, resulted in the 1801 Act of Union, which brought Ireland tighter still under British control. Professor Thomas Bartlett tells their story.
In 1797 the United Irishmen actively recruiting in Clare, even attempting to recruit from the ranks of army. 'Emigrants' from Dublin and Northern Ireland came to Clare on recruiting missions. A number of locals were also actively recruiting new members, including Martin Devitt, a carpenter from Lackamore; Michael Mulqueeny, a blacksmith from Torr; and Michael Murphy, a labourer from Tullygarvan, Lahinch.
In 1798 Ireland was shook by a mass rebellion for democratic rights and against British rule. 200 years later 1798 continues to loom over Irish politics. The bi-centenary, co-inciding with the 'Peace process', has attracted considerable discussion, with the formation of local history groups, the holding of conferences and a high level of interest in the TV documentaries and books published around the event.
General Joseph Holt was the only United Irish General to be banished to New South Wales following his surrender in County Wicklow during the 1798 Irish Rebellion. The Bank of Ireland director, Peter La Touche and his wife, Elizabeth La Touche, as members of the Ascendancy, apparently helped orchestrate Joseph's safe surrender to Lord Powerscourt IV at 11 O'Clock on the 11th November 1798 at his demesne of, Powescurt, in County Wicklow.
Free online book describing the events of the 1798 Rebellion in North Kildare. Extensive resource.
Shows existing and intended buildings, County Boundaries, North and South Divisions, and the Earl of Meath's Liberty. Compass Star top centre. Inset view of the New Custom House bottom left. Scale of half a Mile Irish bottom left. Dublin City Coat Of Arms, with The Great Mace (1665) and the Great Civic Sword (1390s) bottom right.
By no stretch of the imagination could the Battle of the Big Cross, which took place on June 19th, 1798, on the old road from Shannonvale to Ballinascarthy, be described as major military engagement. At best it was a hurriedly arranged attach by enthusiastic but ill-armed and ill trained civilians on a force, admittedly smaller in number, but having the advantages of superior weapons and military training. Enthusiasm was no match for superior skills and so the Battle of Big Cross ended in defeat for the Irish and the death of many of them, among whom was Tadhg and Asna O'Donovan, the only man whose name has survived in song and in tradition.
"I marched from Limerick on Sunday morning, with 60 dragoons, the Dublin militia, their field pieces, with 2 curricle guns, to open the communication with Dublin, which I judged of the utmost importance to government." Federal Gazette & Baltimore Daily Advertiser -August 11, 1798.
Nicholas Delaney: Irish rebel in 1798, transported convict, Australian roadbuilder, innkeeper, farmer and ancestor. Our descent from Nicholas. By his great-great-great-granddaughter. As a young man living on the borders of Wicklow and Wexford in the east of Ireland, Nicholas Delaney was caught up in the violent events of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. After the rebels were defeated, he was tried and convicted of murder on the word of a notorious informer, Biddy Dolan. Sentenced to death, he was reprieved and sent as a convict to New South Wales.
Jack Hepenstal was a lieutenent in the Irish Yeomanry, who earned himself the nickname of "The Walking Gallows" at the time of the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
Includes articles related to Irish laws and associations, convicts and databases, and World War 1.