Name: The life of Thomas Reynolds, Esq. : formerly of Kilkea Castle, in the county of Kildare (vol. 1)
Author: Thomas Reynolds (–1848)

Thurot lands French force and captures Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus · townland · Antrim · 1760

French privateer Thurot landed 600 men at Carrickfergus in February 1760; Lieutenant Colonel Jennings defended the town before retiring into the ruinous castle, which was forced to capitulate.

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In 1759 an invasion was threatened from France, in which three squadrons were to co-operate. Thurot was to sail from Dunkirk, De la Clue from Toulon, and the principal fleet, with 18,000 land forces, from Brest. This last, consisting of twenty-one sail of the line and four frigates, was entirely defeated by Admiral Sir Edward Hawke off the coast of Bretagne. De la Clue, with twelve ships of the line and three frigates, was defeated off the coast of Portugal by Admiral Boscawen. Thurot, with five frigates, succeeded in escaping from Dunkirk, where he had been some time blockaded. He sailed first to Gottenburg, and thence to Bergen, in Norway, where he remained some months, and at last, on the 21st of February, 1760, having parted company with two of his frigates, he landed with 600 men at Carrickfergus. Lieutenant Colonel Jennings defended the town as well as he could, till he was compelled to retire into the castle ; but that fortress, being in a ruin¬ ous state, was untenable, and soon obliged to capitulate. The safety of the town, castle, and garrison, was granted by Thurot, on condition that the ships should be fur-
14

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 18

Cavalry pursuit and slaughter in the streets of Killala

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

During the retaking of Killala, fleeing rebels were furiously pursued by the Roxburgh cavalry who slaughtered many in the streets, while others attempting to flee to the shore were swept away by cannon fire from across the bay.

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“ The number of the rebels engaged could not be ascertained. Many ran away before the engagement, while a very considerable number flocked into the town in the very heat of it, passing under the castle windows in view of the French officers on horseback, running upon death with as little appearance of reflec¬ tion or concern as if they were hastening to a show. About four hundred of these misguided men fell in the battle and immediately after it. They met with death on every side in attempting to escape, for, when they were driven from their post outside the town by a flanking fire of the soldiery, they fled in all directions^ and were furiously pursued by the Roxburgh cavalry, who slaughtered many in the streets ; and they were either intercepted at the other end of the town by the Kerry militia, or, directing their flight to the shore, they wTere swept away by scores, a cannon being placed on the opposite side of the bay, which did great execu¬ tion.
“ The pursuit of the cavalry into the town was not agreeable to military practice, according to which, it is usual to commit the assault of a town to the infantry.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 330

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Killala, in Mayo. In 1798, this town saw a slaughter in its streets. The number of rebels engaged could not be ascertained. Many ran away before the fighting, while a considerable number flocked into the town in the very heat of it, passing under the castle windows in view of the French officers on horseback, running upon death with as little appearance of reflection or concern as if they were hastening to a show. About 400 of these men fell in the battle and immediately after it. They met with death on every side in attempting to escape. Driven from their post outside the town by a flanking fire of the soldiery, they fled in all directions and were furiously pursued by the Roxburgh cavalry, who slaughtered many in the streets. They were either intercepted at the other end of the town by the Kerry militia, or, directing their flight to the shore, they were swept away by scores, a cannon being placed on the opposite side of the bay, which did great execution. The pursuit of the cavalry into the town was not agreeable to military practice, according to which it is usual to commit the assault of a town to the infantry.

Lady Crosbie flees Carlow for England after husband's execution

Carlow · townland · Carlow · 1798

Lady Crosbie sought a copy of the trial proceedings, which was refused, and after insults and a midnight visit from Colonel Mahon and his dragoons she fled the country for England, later publishing a pamphlet on the affair.

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Lady Crosbie, desirous of clearing her husband’s fame, and of obtaining justice against his murderers, applied for a copy of the proceedings, which was re¬ fused her ; and the insults offered to her by the mili¬ tary became so alarming, that these, together with a midnight visit from Colonel Mahon and a party of his dragoons, on a frivolous pretence, excited such appre¬ hensions for her own safety, that she left the country, and fled for refuge to England. A pamphlet contain¬ ing a narrative of this trial, and the events which led to it, was soon afterwards published by her friends, and never was refuted. To that pamphlet I refer those who desire further information on the subject.
Morice Keatinge, of Narraghmore, in the county

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 234

Mr Taylor mistaken for Reynolds and piked near Naas

Naas · town · Kildare · 1798

Rebels waiting to intercept Reynolds near Naas mistook Mr Taylor, who resembled him in size and uniform, for Reynolds, knocked him from his horse and stuck a pike in his thigh before recognising their error and sparing his life.

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dined with him at Macdonnel’s Inn, at which place his intelligence as to the road being occupied by the conspirators, and their disposition towards him was confirmed, and, as it began to grow late, he remained at the inn for that night. Mr. Taylor proceeded for Atliy : his size and uniform caused him to resemble my father, and the ruffians knowing that my father had returned into Naas, thought he was going back to Kilkea, and placed a party to intercept him outside the town, at the point where the road to Kilkea branches off from that leading to Atliy. These fellows mistook Mr. Taylor for my father, knocked him off his horse, and stuck a pike into his thigh : fortunately one of them recognised him when he was on the ground, and his life was saved. Though badly wounded they would not suffer him to return into Naas, so that his misfortunes did not come to my father’s knowledge for many months.
During some years after the Rebellion, my father re¬ ceived occasional letters from Mr. Taylor, by which he learned that the resentment and persecution of those who had been United Irishmen, and their partisans, against him, for having caused my father to return to Naas, was such as very materially to injure him in his profession. The rancorous enmity of these men never ceases : rapine, destruction, and revenge are, with them, appetites never to be satisfied.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 225

As the companion tells it

Coming through Naas now, in Kildare. In 1798, this is where rebels laid a trap and caught the wrong man. Thomas Reynolds had returned into Naas, and the conspirators knew it. They thought he was going back to Kilkea, so they placed a party outside the town where the road to Kilkea branches off from the road to Athy. But it was Mr Taylor who came along, heading for Athy. He resembled Reynolds in size and uniform. The men mistook him, knocked him off his horse, and stuck a pike into his thigh. One of them recognised him on the ground, and his life was spared. Though badly wounded, they would not let him return into Naas, so Reynolds did not learn what had happened for many months. After the rebellion, Taylor wrote to Reynolds occasionally. From those letters Reynolds learned that the United Irishmen and their partisans blamed Taylor for causing Reynolds to return to Naas, and their resentment injured him in his profession. The rancour of those men never ceased. The book says "rapine, destruction, and revenge are, with them, appetites never to be satisfied."

Perry Disguises as Beggar and Joins Rebels

Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

After being persecuted by yeomen who destroyed his home, Anthony Perry disguised himself as a beggar and crossed the country to join the rebels, who received him with acclamation and placed him in command.

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short time before the insurrection began. There alarmed, or repenting, he gave useful information, in the hope of enlargement ; but such was the state of things that he was still held in confinement, and treated with harsh¬ ness and indignity, unbecoming to the actors as men, and highly impolitic to be suffered by the magistrates : but in fact little was then thought improper or un¬ worthy, which tended to gratify the angry feelings of either party. Among other acts of cruelty practised upon Mr. Perry, a serjeant of the North Cork militia, who, from his habitual conduct was nicknamed Tom the Devil, cut away all his hair, and burned all the roots with a candle. At length when the insurgents possessed themselves of Carrigrua hill, six miles from Gorey, preparatory to an attack on that town, the magistrates, as we before said, abandoned it on the 28th of May, and liberated Perry, who returned to his own house, four miles from Gorey, in the hope of being permitted to remain in quiet, unconnected with future plots or rebellions ; but he was soon followed by a body of yeomen (a class of men who were invariably the most cruel and inveterate towards persons of the opposite party), who destroyed his effects, and obliged him to fly for his life. Finding persecution thus follow him, and believing he had no alternative, he disguised himself as a beggar, crossed the country in safety, and threw himself into the arms of the rebels, who received him with acclamation, and directly placed him in command. Now openly a leader, he devoted himself entirely to the party, entered into all their views, and adopted all their feelings. He fought under Har-
1798.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 299

As the companion tells it

You are coming near Gorey now. In 1798 this town stood at the edge of a rising, and the story of Anthony Perry is tied to it. Perry had been held in confinement, and he was treated there with harshness and indignity. A serjeant of the North Cork militia, a man nicknamed Tom the Devil from his habitual conduct, cut away all Perry's hair and burned all the roots with a candle. When the insurgents possessed themselves of Carrigrua hill, six miles from Gorey, preparatory to an attack on that town, the magistrates abandoned Gorey on the 28th of May and liberated Perry. He returned to his own house, four miles from Gorey, hoping to be permitted to remain in quiet, unconnected with future plots or rebellions. But he was soon followed by a body of yeomen, a class of men who were invariably the most cruel and inveterate towards persons of the opposite party. They destroyed his effects and obliged him to fly for his life. Finding persecution thus follow him, and believing he had no alternative, he disguised himself as a beggar, crossed the country in safety, and threw himself into the arms of the rebels. They received him with acclamation and directly placed him in command. Now openly a leader, he devoted himself entirely to the party, entered into all their views, and adopted all their feelings.

Plot to Murder Magistrate Thomas Rawson Foiled at Narraghmore

Narraghmore · townland · Kildare · 1798

A plan was laid to murder Thomas Rawson, a magistrate who had made himself obnoxious to the people. Reynolds, having been warned by a sympathetic conspirator at a dinner at Dean Keatinge's house in Narraghmore, saved Rawson's life by taking him into his own carriage instead of letting Rawson's carriage follow on the road.

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A plan was laid to murder a Mr. Thomas Rawson, of Glasely, who, having risen from the lowest order ot society to he a magistrate, had, by his severity, rendered himself particularly obnoxious to the people. My father met him at dinner at the house of Dean Keatinge, at Narraghmore : the attachment borne towards my father by one of the conspirators induced the man to seek an opportunity after dinner of cautioning him not to allow his carriage to accompany Mr. Rawson’s on the road home, lest accident should involve him in his (Mr. Rawson’s) destruction. Unwilling to betray the man who made this very extraordinary communication, my father contented himself with taking Mr. Rawson into his carriage, and leaving him in safety near his own house ; thus saving his life at the very great risk of his own. Mr. Rawson’s carriage remained at Dean Keatinge’s a considerable time after he had departed, so that he was far beyond their reach when the ruffians disco¬ vered their error.
Further off, in the county of Tipperary, a body of 800 or 900 men, mostly mounted, entered the town of Cahir in the daytime, and held possession of it until they had collected all the arms and ammunition that could be found after a regular search throughout all the houses.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 189

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Narraghmore, in 1798, a plan was laid to murder Thomas Rawson of Glasely, a magistrate whose severity had made him obnoxious to the people. He had risen from the lowest order of society to that office. One evening he dined at the house of Dean Keatinge here, along with Thomas Reynolds's father. One of the conspirators, who bore an attachment to Reynolds's father, sought him out after dinner and cautioned him not to let his carriage follow Rawson's on the road home, lest he be caught up in Rawson's destruction. Rather than betray his informant, Reynolds's father simply took Rawson into his own carriage and drove him to safety near his house, saving his life at great risk to his own. Rawson's carriage was left behind at Dean Keatinge's, and by the time the men waiting on the road discovered their error, Rawson was far beyond their reach.

Rebel Attack on Carlow and Reprisal Burnings

Carlow · townland · Carlow · 1798

Three or four thousand insurgents attacked Carlow on 25 May 1798 but were repulsed by the garrison under Colonel Mahon with heavy rebel losses; soldiers then burned upwards of eighty houses where rebels had taken refuge, followed by executions.

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The town of Carlow was attacked by three or four thousand insurgents on the morning of the 25th of May. The garrison consisted of four hundred and fifty men of different corps, under the command of Colonel Mahon, of the 9th dragoons, by whose judicious arrangements the rebels were repulsed with the loss of five or six hundred men. Numbers took refuge in the houses of their associates in the town, but the soldiers immediately set fire to them, and thus up¬ wards of eighty houses were burnt to the ground. After the defeat executions commenced, and in a few
1798.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 267

Reynolds arrested by Colonel Campbell on informations from his captains

Kilkea · parish · Kildare · 1798

After the troops left Kilkea, Reynolds was about to depart when he was arrested by order of Colonel Campbell on informations sworn against him by five of his own captains, and directed to be tried by court-martial and executed if convicted. It was then that he revealed himself to Government as an informer.

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* Mr. Reynolds retired into the country, after the arrests at Bond’s house, intending to leave Ireland with his family until the restoration of tranquillity, but his departure was delayed by Mrs. Reynolds’ confine¬ ment, which took place on the 1 5th of April. In the mean time the suspicions of Government were directed towards him. A troop of dra¬ goons, and a company of infantry were sent to live at free quarters upon his estate : the troops remained at Kilkea ten days, and the sum of 630^., mentioned by Mr. Reynolds, was his land-steward’s account for corn, hay^ straw, cattle, and sheep furnished to the troops during that visit. When the troops left him, he was again about to depart, when he was arrested by order of Colonel Campbell, on informations sworn against him by five of his captains, and directed to be tried by court-martial, and, if convicted, executed. It was then that he made himself known to Government, and claimed the benefit of the second condition. But for this circumstance he would in all probability have ever remained unknown to government ; and the prisoners who were now tried, and their confederates then in custody* must all have been discharged, after a short confinement, for want of evi¬ dence to convict them, or, if brought to trial, must have been acquitted, as was the case with Arthur O’Connor at Maidstone. The following letter from Lord Castlereagh to Mr. Reynolds, written many years after these events, corroborates the latter part of the above statement.
* Sir, “ Downing Street, 1st August, 1808.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 417

Reynolds Meets Lord Edward Fitzgerald at the Four Courts

Four Courts · site · Dublin · 1797

Being in Dublin in November 1797, Reynolds met Lord Edward Fitzgerald on the steps of the Four Courts, and at his solicitation, backed by Oliver Bond, consented to be elected colonel for the barony of Kilkea and Moone in County Kildare.

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stated that, although he now knew these to be the real views of the promoters of these societies, yet that their ostensible objects extended only to reform in parliament and Catholic emancipation ; that the oath* taken by them only purported to comprehend those objects, and fidelity to each other; that hundreds upon hundreds became members of these societies, and continued in them, with no other views ; and, lastly, that it was only upon reaching the higher grades of the society that their real objects were fully developed. He said that, having purchased the lease of Kilkea Castle and estate, he retired into the country with his family in the beginning of the summer of 1797, thereby breaking off his attend¬ ance at the meetings of the society. He then stated that, being in Dublin in the following month of Novem¬ ber, he met Lord Edward Fitzgerald on the steps of the Four Courts in Dublin, and, at his solicitation, backed by the advice of Oliver Bond, he consented to be elected colonel for the barony of Kilkea and Moone, in the county of Kildare, in which barony his estate lay.t
He then stated that Lord Edward Fitzgerald told him that everything relative to his appointment as colo¬ nel should be arranged by one Matthew Kennaa ; and

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 345

As the companion tells it

Right here at the Four Courts in Dublin is where a meeting took place in November 1797 that pulled a man deeper into a dangerous movement. Thomas Reynolds had bought the lease of Kilkea Castle and estate and retired into the country with his family that summer, breaking off his attendance at the society's meetings. But being in Dublin that November, he met Lord Edward Fitzgerald on these very steps. At Fitzgerald's solicitation, backed by the advice of Oliver Bond, Reynolds consented to be elected colonel for the barony of Kilkea and Moone in County Kildare, where his estate lay. Reynolds later said that the societies' ostensible objects were only reform in parliament and Catholic emancipation, and that hundreds joined with no other views. It was only upon reaching the higher grades that their real objects were fully developed. Lord Edward Fitzgerald told Reynolds that everything relative to his appointment as colonel should be arranged by one Matthew Kenna.

Yeomen rout rebels at Kilthomas Hill

Kilthomas · townland · Wexford · 1798

On 27 May, yeomen from Carnew marched to attack rebels on Kilthomas Hill, routing them and pursuing fugitives seven miles, killing about two hundred and burning two chapels and over a hundred houses.

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As I before said, the two main bodies of the rebels had taken their stations, early on the 27th, at Oulart and Kilthomas Hill. On that morning a body of between two and three hundred yeomen, cavalry and infantry, marched from Carnew to attack those who were stationed at the latter place. The rebels were posted on the summit of the hill, where they might have defended themselves with advantage ; but the yeoman infantry, advancing intrepidly up the hill, and firing as they advanced, soon put the insurgents to flight. The rout was complete : the yeomen cavalry pursued the fugitives for upwards of seven miles, and killed about two hundred of them. At the same time they laid waste the country through which they passed, burning the houses and cabins of the Catholics. Two Romish chapels and more than a hundred houses were thus destroyed.
At Oulart, where Father John Murphy commanded in person, the result was very different. Lieutenant- Colonel Foote, with a detachment of a hundred and ten men, of the North Cork militia, marched from Wexford to attack the rebels, but they were received with so vigorous a charge that every man was killed, except the lieutenant-colonel, a sergeant, and three privates. Father John Murphy, flushed with this first success, marched from Oulart towards Ennis-

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 272

Attack on Lieutenant Bookey's house at Rockspring

Rockspring · townland · Wexford · 1798

Rebels attacked Lieutenant Bookey's house at Rockspring at one in the morning of 27 May 1798; two Protestant defenders held out for hours before the rebels set the house alight and retreated, leaving several dead rebels behind.

Read the passage

At the same time the conduct of the rebels was marked by murder and outrage at every step. One of their first achievements was the attack of Lieutenant Bookey’s house at Rockspring at one o’clock in the morning of the 27th. The only persons in the house when it was attacked were two Protestants, who de¬ fended it with the greatest bravery for several hours : at last the rebels set it on fire, and, as day was break¬ ing they retired, leaving several of their friends dead in and about the house. After they had gone the two men escaped unhurt, but nearly suffocated by the smoke. They next attacked the house of the Rev. Robert Burrowes, of Kyle, murdered him and seven of his parishioners who had taken shelter there, des¬ perately wounded his son, and burnt his house to the ground. His son languished till the summer of 1800, when he died. Another body of insurgents attacked the house of Mr. Dawson, of Charlesfort, which they plundered, after murdering a man of the name of Willis, and wounding Mr. Dawson. They then pro¬ ceeded to the house of the Rev. Francis Turner of Ballingale, rector of Edeermine, which they burned after an obstinate resistance on the part of the inmates. Mr. Turner and nine of his friends were murdered with savage brutality by the rebels after they had
1798.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 271

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Rockspring, rebels attacked Lieutenant Bookey's house at one in the morning of 27 May 1798. Two Protestants inside defended it with the greatest bravery for several hours. The rebels set the house on fire and retired as day was breaking, leaving several of their own dead in and about the house. After they had gone, the two men escaped unhurt but nearly suffocated by the smoke. The rebels then attacked the house of the Reverend Robert Burrowes of Kyle, murdered him and seven of his parishioners who had taken shelter there, desperately wounded his son, and burnt his house to the ground. His son lingered until the summer of 1800, when he died. Another body of insurgents attacked Mr. Dawson of Charlesfort, which they plundered after murdering a man named Willis and wounding Dawson. They then proceeded to the house of the Reverend Francis Turner of Ballingale, rector of Edeermine, which they burned after obstinate resistance. Turner and nine of his friends were murdered with savage brutality by the rebels after the house fell.

Colclough taken hostage near Duncannon and ambush of yeomanry

Duncannon · town · Wexford · 1798

John Colclough was seized as a hostage by fleeing yeomanry near Duncannon; after his release, rebels ambushed the yeomanry on the road, killing about fifty of them.

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Colclough went first to his own house, and thence, accompanied by his wife, he took the road to Wexford, for the purpose of fulfilling his engagement with Cap¬ tain Boyd. On his arrival at the gaol it was not considered necessary to detain him any longer, and both he and Harvey were discharged. Returning with his wife in their carriage towards his own residence, he was met on the road by a party of panic-struck yeomanry, under Captains Cornock and Snowe, who were flying from Wexford to seek their safety at Duncannon. These men stopped him, and declared they would hold him as a hostage, and, in case they were attacked on the road, they would instantly shoot him. In this manner they marched until they arrived within a mile of Duncannon, at about ten o’clock at night, when he was suffered to depart. He had scarcely left them on his return, when a party of rebels, who lay in ambush on the roadside, fell upon the two troops of yeomanry, and killed about fifty of them : the others fled into Duncannon. The rebels then followed Col¬ clough, and offered him the command of their party, which he accepted, considering, as he himself declared, that, although innocent and ignorant of this affair, nothing could ever clear him of the charge of having
1798.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 275

Defender attacks across multiple counties, 1792-93

Louth · town · Louth · 1792–1793

Bands of Defenders attacked, pillaged, and murdered Protestants across counties Dublin, Roscommon, Westmeath, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Derry, Limerick, Wexford, and Kerry. In County Louth alone they plundered one hundred and eighty houses, forcing landlords to relinquish rents and families to flee to Dublin.

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In the years 1792 and 1793 numerous bands of Defenders attacked, pillaged, and murdered Protestants of every denomination, and extended their destructive fury to the counties of Dublin, Roscommon, Westmeath, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Derry, Limerick, Wexford, and Kerry. In the county of Lowtli alone they plundered a hundred and eighty houses ! In some places landlords were obliged to relinquish their rents, and the clergy their tithes, and many families abandoned their houses, and fled to Dublin for protection. At
44

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 48

Execution of Father John Murphy at Tullow

Tullow · town · Carlow · 1798

Father John Murphy was sentenced to death and hanged the same day at Tullow, at about forty-five years of age.

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head-quarters of Sir James Duff. He was sentenced to death, and hanged the same day. At the time of his death he was about forty-five years of age. The fugi¬ tives were pursued several miles by the cavalry. In forcing their way through the Gap they were again
V

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 305

Gibbet erected to hang MP in Dublin riot

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1759

During the same Dublin riot, the mob destroyed carriages of obnoxious persons and erected a gibbet intending to hang an unpopular member of the House of Commons, who escaped.

Read the passage

find to swear that they never would consent to a union with Great Britain, destroyed the carriages of several obnoxious persons, and erected a gibbet, with the in¬ tention of hanging an obnoxious member of the House of Commons, who, however, escaped. As the night came on, the rioters dispersed, and, order being re¬ stored next day, a committee of both Houses was appointed for the discovery and punishment of the leaders and instigators of the tumult.
In 1759 an invasion was threatened from France, in which three squadrons were to co-operate. Thurot was to sail from Dunkirk, De la Clue from Toulon, and the principal fleet, with 18,000 land forces, from Brest. This last, consisting of twenty-one sail of the line and four frigates, was entirely defeated by Admiral Sir Edward Hawke off the coast of Bretagne. De la Clue, with twelve ships of the line and three frigates, was defeated off the coast of Portugal by Admiral Boscawen. Thurot, with five frigates, succeeded in escaping from Dunkirk, where he had been some time blockaded. He sailed first to Gottenburg, and thence to Bergen, in Norway, where he remained some months, and at last, on the 21st of February, 1760, having parted company with two of his frigates, he landed with 600 men at Carrickfergus. Lieutenant Colonel Jennings defended the town as well as he could, till he was compelled to retire into the castle ; but that fortress, being in a ruin¬ ous state, was untenable, and soon obliged to capitulate. The safety of the town, castle, and garrison, was granted by Thurot, on condition that the ships should be fur-

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 18

As the companion tells it

In Dublin, 1759, a mob took to the streets. They destroyed the carriages of several obnoxious persons and erected a gibbet, with the intention of hanging an obnoxious member of the House of Commons. The member escaped. As night came on, the rioters dispersed. Order was restored next day, and a committee of both Houses was appointed for the discovery and punishment of the leaders and instigators of the tumult. That same year, 1759, an invasion was threatened from France, in which three squadrons were to co-operate. Thurot was to sail from Dunkirk, De la Clue from Toulon, and the principal fleet, with 18,000 land forces, from Brest. This last, consisting of 21 sail of the line and 4 frigates, was entirely defeated by Admiral Sir Edward Hawke off the coast of Bretagne. De la Clue, with 12 ships of the line and 3 frigates, was defeated off the coast of Portugal by Admiral Boscawen. Thurot, with 5 frigates, succeeded in escaping from Dunkirk, where he had been some time blockaded. He sailed first to Gottenburg, and thence to Bergen, in Norway, where he remained some months, and at last, on the 21st of February, 1760, having parted company with 2 of his frigates, he landed with 600 men at Carrickfergus. Lieutenant Colonel Jennings defended the town as well as he could, till he was compelled to retire into the castle; but that fortress, being in a ruinous state, was untenable, and soon obliged to capitulate.

Harvey's surrender summons and killing of the messenger at New Ross

New Ross · townland · Wexford · 1798

Harvey sent a written summons demanding the surrender of New Ross; General Johnson's forces shot the messenger, Mr Furlong, either deliberately or as he approached under a flag of truce, precipitating the battle.

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General Johnson, instead of replying to this singular summons, shot the messenger, or, according to other accounts, he was shot by one of the sentinels at an out¬ post as he was advancing towards him, waving a white handkerchief in the air as a flag of truce.
The attack was instantly commenced with great vigour, and for many hours victory seemed doubtful. The rebels fought with desperate courage, and nothing but the gallant bearing of General Johnson, who re¬ peatedly rallied and brought up his dispirited men, charging with them, and fighting in the thickest dan¬ gers, could have saved the town. At length, at three in the afternoon, after ten hours’ hard fighting, in the

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 281

Meeting of United Irish leaders fixed at Bond's house

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1798

M'Can informed Reynolds that the crucial meeting of United Irish leaders was fixed to take place at the house of Oliver Bond, information Reynolds passed to Cope, leading to the arrests of the Leinster Provincial Committee.

Read the passage

On this second interview my father was unable to state positively that the meeting was finally fixed for the 12th, nor did he know the precise hour at which it would he held. To enable the government effect¬ ually to stop the further proceedings of the conspira¬ tors, it was necessary that they should be made ac¬ quainted with those particulars : my father therefore sought an interview with M‘Can, who refused to give him the information he required until he produced his returns of men and money from the committee of the county of Kildare, which as treasurer he was expected to do. In order to procure those returns my father went to Kilkea on the 3rd March, and on the 4th he went to Castle Dermot, where he met his cap¬ tains, and, having settled the returns with them, he proceeded to Daly at Kilcullen and got them, and on the 7th he returned to Dublin, and gave them to M‘Can, who promised to call on him on Sunday the 11th, which he did, when he informed him that the meeting was fixed to take place on the morrow at the house of Oliver Bond at 10 o’clock in the forenoon. My father then saw Mr. Cope for the third and last time on this subject, and at that interview merely gave him those particulars.
He decidedly refused to intrust Mr. Cope with any other name, or any further particulars ; and, when the latter urged him to make further disclosures, he assured him that the person who had been in com-

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 199

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Dublin in 1798, this is the city where the United Irish leaders were caught. A man named M'Can told Thomas Reynolds that the crucial meeting was fixed for the house of Oliver Bond, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon on the 12th. Reynolds had to get his returns of men and money from Kildare first before M'Can would share the details. He went to Kilkea on the 3rd of March, met his captains at Castle Dermot on the 4th, collected the returns from Daly at Kilcullen, and was back in Dublin by the 7th. M'Can called on him on Sunday the 11th and gave him the time and place. Reynolds then saw Mr. Cope for the third and last time and passed on only those particulars. He refused to give Cope any other name or any further information, no matter how much Cope pressed him. That meeting at Bond's house was the Leinster Provincial Committee, and the government used what Reynolds gave them to arrest the lot.

Military free quarters and destruction at Reynolds' house

Kilkea · parish · Kildare · 1798

Captain Erskine and Lieutenant Neale of the Louth militia, with soldiers, came to live at free quarters at Reynolds' house, placed him under arrest, and over days destroyed much of his property, drinking his wine and breaking his furniture; a later military occupation caused over 12,000l. damage.

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ing at the county meeting, which was to be held at Bells, on the Curragh, there to stand my trial on an accusation brought from Dublin by Michael Reynolds* from the provincial committee, relative to my having betrayed the meeting at Bond’s ; that he was sure, as every other member in the county was, that I would acquit myself, and it was for that reason they called upon me. I had before that intended to quit the country, but Mrs. Reynolds’ illness prevented me (Mrs. Reynolds was confined of her second son on the 15 th of April), and I remained arranging my affairs, and in¬ tended to have gone to Dublin instead of going to the Curragh ; but on the Saturday previous to the meeting Captain Erskine and Lieutenant Neale, of the Louth militia, with a number of men, came to live at free quarters at my house, and put me under arrest ; they stayed about eight or ten days, and destroyed an immen¬ sity of my property, drank my wine, ate my provision, and broke my furniture. t After they left me, and I had put the house in what order I could, I was coming to
* Upon Mr. Reynolds’ resignation this person was chosen delegate to the provincial committee.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 353

Miss Keatinge accused of leading rebels at Narraghmore

Narraghmore · townland · Kildare · 1798

It was rumoured that on the day the Rebellion broke out, Miss Keatinge appeared on horseback at the head of rebels near Narraghmore, accompanied by apothecary Mr. Johnstone, presenting them a standard with rebel symbols and verses.

Read the passage

of Kildare, was colonel of a regiment of the line, a gentleman of large fortune, and member of Parliament for the county. He was a friend of the Leinster family, attached to their interests, and professed similar political opinions, which were purely those of the con¬ stitutional Whig party. He of course was said, like the Leinster family, to be a friend to the people, and to be opposed to the Beresford family, who then guided and governed the councils of the Irish executive go¬ vernment. His seat at Narraghmore was a fine man¬ sion, newly finished, and furnished at a vast expense. His sister, a young lady of handsome person and ac¬ complished manners, presided there, and, residing much in the country, had acquired a taste lor field-sports, and was an excellent horsewoman. It was said, I know not with what truth, that on the day on which the Rebellion broke out Miss Keatinge appeared on horseback at the head of a great body of rebels, accompanied by a Mr. Johnstone, an apothecary, who attended her family, and who resided in the village of Narraghmore, and that she presented to the rebels a standard, on which was embroidered some symbols and verses appropriate to their views in rising. These reports, whether true or false, chimed well with the prejudices and wishes of those then in power in the county. However that may be, Miss Keatinge remained quietly living in the bosom of her family, and Mr. Johnstone was as usual attend¬ ing to the concerns of his shop, when a body of the 9th dragoons, and some infantry, were sent from Athy to take military possession of Colonel Keatinge’s house.
248

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 235

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, Colonel Keatinge had a fine mansion, newly finished and furnished at vast expense. His sister, Miss Keatinge, a young lady of handsome person and accomplished manners, presided there. She lived much in the country, had acquired a taste for field-sports, and was an excellent horsewoman. It was said, though the narrator admits he knows not with what truth, that on the day the Rebellion broke out in 1798, Miss Keatinge appeared on horseback at the head of a great body of rebels, accompanied by Mr. Johnstone, an apothecary who attended her family and lived in the village of Narraghmore. She was said to have presented the rebels a standard embroidered with symbols and verses appropriate to their views in rising. These reports, whether true or false, suited the prejudices and wishes of those then in power in the county. Whatever the truth, Miss Keatinge remained quietly living in the bosom of her family, and Mr. Johnstone carried on as usual attending to his shop, until a body of the 9th dragoons and some infantry were sent from Athy to take military possession of Colonel Keatinge's house.

Protestant Gentry Led Wexford Rebellion

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Cornelius Grogan, a wealthy Protestant landowner in County Wexford, and Mr Keugh, rebel commandant in Wexford town throughout its occupation by insurgents, were among the principal Protestant leaders of the 1798 rebellion who were later executed.

Read the passage

and in its original formation, essentially Protestant ; it was planned by Mr. Theobald Wolfe Tone, who was a Protestant. At its dissolution in 1798, among the 1 7 principal leaders, there was only one Roman Catho¬ lic, and during the actual rebellion the principal men of rank and fortune found at the head of the insurgents were Protestants, as Cornelius Grogan, a Protestant gentleman possessing property to the amount of 8000/. or 10,000/. a-year, in the county of Wexford ; Beau¬ champ Bagenal Hervey, who commanded the rebels at the battle of Ross, the fiercest and best-contested affair of the whole rebellion, also a Protestant gentleman pos¬ sessing property to the amount of 3000/. or 4000/. a-year in the same county. Mr. Keugli, a Protestant of considerable respectability, was rebel commandant in Wexford during the whole period of its occupation by the insurgents. Mr. Anthony Perry, another Protest¬ ant of rank and fortune, acted as general among the rebels, and was their leader in the affair denominated Bloody Friday. All these persons suffered death in Wexford, after the rebellion had been put down in those parts. Yet certainly, in a country where four-fifths of the population are Roman Catholics, the mass of such an extensive association must necessarily have been of that persuasion ; and, unhappily for themselves and their country, so inveterately rooted are the prejudices of religious antipathy in the minds of all the lower, the middle, and not a few of the upper classes of Irish Roman Catholics, that any civil war, however originat¬ ing from causes unconnected with religion, is speedily
1792.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 141

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, you are in the town where some of the most unlikely leaders of the 1798 rebellion met their end. The rising was planned by Theobald Wolfe Tone, himself a Protestant, and of its 17 principal leaders only one was Roman Catholic. Here in Wexford, the men of rank and fortune at the head of the insurgents were Protestants. Cornelius Grogan, a Protestant gentleman with property worth 8,000 or 10,000 pounds a year in the county, was among them. Beauchamp Bagenal Hervey, also a Protestant with 3,000 or 4,000 pounds a year in the same county, commanded the rebels at the battle of Ross, described as the fiercest and best-contested affair of the whole rebellion. Mr. Keugh, a Protestant of considerable respectability, served as rebel commandant in Wexford during the entire period the town was held by the insurgents. Anthony Perry, another Protestant of rank and fortune, acted as general among the rebels and led what was called Bloody Friday. All of these men suffered death in Wexford after the rebellion was put down.

Rebel Attack on Naas Repulsed with Heavy Losses

Naas · town · Kildare · 1798

Michael Reynolds led about a thousand rebels in an attack on Naas at three in the morning of 24 May, targeting the gaol, but was repulsed after nearly an hour of fighting with heavy rebel casualties from pursuit by cavalry.

Read the passage

they began to give way, and at length fled on all sides, pursued and slaughtered by the cavalry. Their loss was thirty men killed in the assault, and above one hundred more in the pursuit ; the numbers wounded have never been stated, but they must have been very numerous. Of the king’s troops, there were two offi¬ cers and seventeen privates killed, and several wounded* Michael Reynolds escaped unhurt, and on the 25th of the following month was killed at the head of a band of his misguided followers, whom he was leading to the attack at Hacketstown.
On the evening of the 24th large bodies of the rebels approached the town of Rathangan ; but Captain Langton, who wras quartered there with a company of the South Cork militia, kept them in check during the night, after several skirmishes. Next day, in pursu¬ ance of his orders, he marched with his troop from Rathangan to join General Dundas, who had been compelled to evacuate Kilkullen, after losing Captains Erskine and Cooke, and several of his men. The inhabitants of Rathangan, thus abandoned to their resources, remained under arms all night between the 25th and 26th, expecting every moment to be attacked. But the rebels did not make their appearance till the morning of the 26th, when they entered the town in such numbers as to render all attempts to oppose them hopeless. Among the numerous atrocities which they committed during the short time they remained in pos¬ session of the place, the following deserves to be more particularly noticed. Mr. Spenser was a magistrate, and

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0

As the companion tells it

Coming up now is Naas, the Kildare town. On the 24th of May, 1798, about a thousand rebels led by Michael Reynolds attacked Naas at three in the morning, aiming for the gaol. They were repulsed after nearly an hour of fighting. The rebels gave way and fled on all sides, pursued and slaughtered by the cavalry. Thirty men were killed in the assault, and above a hundred more in the pursuit. The wounded were never counted, but they must have been very numerous. Of the king's troops, two officers and seventeen privates were killed, and several wounded. Michael Reynolds escaped unhurt, but he was killed the following month at the head of a band of followers he was leading to attack Hacketstown.

Rebel defeat at Bunbrusna

near Bunbrosna · population centre · Westmeath · 1798

Rebels marched to meet Lord Longford's forces at the village of Bunbrusna and made an impetuous attack trying to seize a field-piece, but were repulsed by grape-shot and musketry, with many perishing after taking refuge in a burning farmhouse.

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amounting to three or four hundred men, and one fieldpiece. The rebels, hearing of his lordship’s approach, marched t meet him at the village of Bunbrusna, and made, as was their custom, a very impetuous attack, en¬ deavouring to seize the field-piece ; but a few dis¬ charges of grape-shot and musketry soon cooled their ardour, and they fled in confusion. A great number took refuge in an adjoining farm-house, which was set on fire, and many perished in the flames. Lord Long¬ ford’s troops remained under arms all night, intending to attack the hospital early the following morning ; but during the night it was evacuated by the rebels, and the troops took possession of it without further hinderance.
When the Rebellion had thus been put down in the county of Longford, the attention of the government was directed to those places in the county of Mayo which still remained in the power of the insurgents. Castlebar had been occupied by the king’s troops since its evacuation by the French, and on the 12th of September it was attacked by a very numerous body of rebels. The garrison consisted of fifty-seven Fraser fencibles, thirty-four volunteers, and a troop of yeoman cavalry, under the command of Captain Urquart, who defended the place with this little force so valiantly, that he beat oft* the assailants and saved the town from plunder. The towns of Newport and Westport were soon retaken, and on the 22nd of September Ballina surrendered after a few discharges ol cannon. The rebels, commanded by Mr. True, a French officer.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 328

As the companion tells it

Up ahead the road passes through Bunbrosna. In 1798 this was the village of Bunbrusna, where a rebel force marched to meet Lord Longford. He was advancing with three or four hundred men and one fieldpiece. The rebels had heard of his lordship's approach. As was their custom, they made a very impetuous attack, endeavouring to seize the field-piece. But a few discharges of grape-shot and musketry soon cooled their ardour, and they fled in confusion. A great number took refuge in an adjoining farm-house. It was set on fire, and many perished in the flames. Lord Longford's troops remained under arms all night, intending to attack the hospital early the following morning. But during the night it was evacuated by the rebels, and the troops took possession of it without further hindrance. When the Rebellion had thus been put down in the county of Longford, the attention of the government was directed to those places in the county of Mayo which still remained in the power of the insurgents.

Reynolds brought to Athy for court-martial trial

Athy · town · Kildare · 1798

On arrival at Athy, Reynolds was conducted to Colonel Campbell's headquarters to be tried by the sitting court-martial and, if found guilty on the evidence of the five accusers, faced immediate execution.

Read the passage

On his arrival at Athy my father was conducted to Colonel Campbell’s head-quarters, to be tried by the court-martial then sitting, and, if found guilty, of which there could be little doubt, on the evidences of the five men I have mentioned, to be executed imme¬ diately. Thus in a few hours was he to perish as a rebel and a traitor to his king and country, through the machinations of those very men with whom he was accused of associating, and who at the same hour were loading his name with calumnies to justify their own treachery. This was the event announced four days previously to Mr. Taylor by the religious recluses of King-street Convent in Dublin, as having already happened. Did they prophesy it ? or did they know of the intention of their friends to betray him ? It was very extraordinary that this same anticipated report should have spread so generally that it actually reached my mother’s ears in her sick-room in Dublin, and she remained tormented with anxiety for two days, until at length she received a letter from my father assuring her of his safety. He wrote that letter on the 6th from Athy gaol, purposely to prevent her being alarmed. She received it early on the morning of the 7th. One of the sons of Sir Samuel Broadstreet soon after called to see her, and she showed VOL. i.
R

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 230

As the companion tells it

Coming up now is Athy, in Kildare. In 1798, Thomas Reynolds was brought here and conducted to Colonel Campbell's headquarters, to be tried by the court-martial then sitting. If found guilty, and of that there could be little doubt, on the evidence of five accusers, he was to be executed immediately. In a few hours he would perish as a rebel and a traitor to his king and country, through the machinations of the very men with whom he was accused of associating, men who at the same hour were loading his name with calumnies to justify their own treachery. Four days before this, the religious recluses of King-street Convent in Dublin had told Mr. Taylor it had already happened. Whether they prophesied it or knew of the intention of their friends to betray him is a question the account leaves open. What is certain is that this anticipated report spread so generally it reached Reynolds's mother in her sick-room in Dublin. She remained tormented with anxiety for two days until she received a letter from him written on the 6th from Athy gaol, assuring her of his safety. She received it early on the morning of the 7th. Soon after, one of the sons of Sir Samuel Broadstreet called to see her, and she showed him the letter.

Samuel Neilson Threatens Reynolds Over 'Half-Measures'

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1798

When Reynolds urged United Irish leaders to enforce a proclamation recommending peace and threatened to quit the association, Samuel Neilson of Belfast warned him he knew too much to stop and that they would tolerate no half-measure men.

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Irishmen, recommending peace, industry, and sobriety, in the name of the directory. With this in his hand he asked why they did not enforce its recommendations. He was laughed at. He grew more serious, and threat¬ ened to quit them, when Mr. Samuel Neilson, of Bel¬ fast, said, “ Take care what you say, Reynolds ; you know too much to stop now : we’ll have no half-mea¬ sure men !” This man Neilson appeared to have been the most violent, determined conspirator among the as¬ sociates. Able-bodied, sturdy, dark, plodding, and re¬ served, he seemed to possess unbounded influence over the Dublin leaders. He Avas subsequently seized and made prisoner by Gregg, the gaoler of Newgate, in the act of reconnoitring that prison to liberate O’Connor, Bond, and his other associates therein confined.
While on the subject of Neilson I cannot refrain from noticing a passage in the twenty-seventh volume of the State Trials, edited by Thomas Jones Howell. That gentleman professes to give a correct account of the different trials which took place during the Rebel¬ lion. As a compiler, the report he selects ought not only to be faithful and impartial, but, if he thinks proper to accompany that report by notes, he should take care to ascertain the truth of the circumstances related in those notes, and cautiously avoid converting a work intended for legal and historical references into a collection of scandalous gossip.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 191

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Dublin, you are travelling the city where, in 1798, Thomas Reynolds faced down the United Irish leaders. He came to them with a proclamation in his hand, recommending peace, industry, and sobriety, issued in the name of the directory. He asked them why they did not enforce its recommendations. They laughed at him. He grew more serious and threatened to quit them. It was then that Samuel Neilson of Belfast spoke. His words were: "Take care what you say, Reynolds; you know too much to stop now: we'll have no half-measure men." Neilson appeared to have been the most violent, determined conspirator among the associates. Able-bodied, sturdy, dark, plodding, and reserved, he seemed to possess unbounded influence over the Dublin leaders. He was later seized and made prisoner by Gregg, the gaoler of Newgate, caught in the act of reconnoitring that prison to liberate O'Connor, Bond, and his other associates confined there. The book recording this also takes issue with a passage in the twenty-seventh volume of the State Trials, edited by Thomas Jones Howell, accusing him of converting a work intended for legal and historical reference into a collection of scandalous gossip.

Sectarian massacre at Aughrim, Wicklow

Aughrim · town · Wicklow · 1798

At Aughrim in County Wicklow, fifteen Protestants were murdered by the banditti, and yeomen retaliated by massacring twenty-seven Roman Catholics in the same place.

Read the passage

At Castletown, four miles from Gorey, four Protest¬ ants were murdered in the night by Hacket’s men ; next day seven Roman Catholics were butchered by the yeomen in revenge. At Aughrim, in the county of Wicklow, fifteen Protestants were murdered by the banditti ; the yeomen massacred twenty-seven Roman Catholics in the same place in revenge ! Horrible as this appears, these are plain, naked truths. Many similar facts are now before me, but these are sufficient to evince the shocking condition of the country. Ha¬ rassed by the pursuit of the military, particularly of a Scotch regiment of Highlanders, who were as active mountaineers as the outlaws themselves, and the dreary wastes affording no shelter in the wet and cold season, their numbers daily decreased. At length Hacket was killed by a Mr. Atkins, near Arklow, in defence of his house, which that robber attacked ; and Holt surren¬ dered himself to Lord Powerscourt, and was trans¬ ported.
When Holt was brought to Dublin he was at first lodged in a little chamber on the ground-floor of the buildings in the castle-yard. My father could not re¬ sist the desire to see this very remarkable outlaw ; he accordingly went with Lord Castlereagh and several

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 310

Sectarian massacres at Castletown near Gorey

Castletown · townland · Wexford · 1798

At Castletown, four miles from Gorey, four Protestants were murdered at night by Hacket's men, and the following day yeomen massacred seven Roman Catholics in revenge.

Read the passage

At Castletown, four miles from Gorey, four Protest¬ ants were murdered in the night by Hacket’s men ; next day seven Roman Catholics were butchered by the yeomen in revenge. At Aughrim, in the county of Wicklow, fifteen Protestants were murdered by the banditti ; the yeomen massacred twenty-seven Roman Catholics in the same place in revenge ! Horrible as this appears, these are plain, naked truths. Many similar facts are now before me, but these are sufficient to evince the shocking condition of the country. Ha¬ rassed by the pursuit of the military, particularly of a Scotch regiment of Highlanders, who were as active mountaineers as the outlaws themselves, and the dreary wastes affording no shelter in the wet and cold season, their numbers daily decreased. At length Hacket was killed by a Mr. Atkins, near Arklow, in defence of his house, which that robber attacked ; and Holt surren¬ dered himself to Lord Powerscourt, and was trans¬ ported.
When Holt was brought to Dublin he was at first lodged in a little chamber on the ground-floor of the buildings in the castle-yard. My father could not re¬ sist the desire to see this very remarkable outlaw ; he accordingly went with Lord Castlereagh and several

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 310

Skirmish at Charlotte Grove

Charlotte Grove · street · Wexford · 1798

Lieutenant Gordon marched out to meet Perry's approaching rebel force at Charlotte Grove with seventeen cavalry and fourteen yeomanry infantry. Volleys were fired killing seven of Perry's men before the yeomen fled through the town for Arklow.

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vey at Ross on the 5th of June, was at the attack of Arklow on the 9tli, and when on the 21st Wexford was delivered up, he led his followers, to the number of five hundred active, determined men, towards the Wicklow mountains. The town of Gorey having been evacuated by the rebels a day or two before their surrender at Wexford, a party was despatched on the 20th of June, from Arklow to take possession, consist¬ ing of seventeen men of the Gorey yeomanry cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant Gordon, a youth scarcely seventeen years of age ; he was told he would meet a larger force in Gorey, and a superior officer, under whose orders he was instructed to place himself. A few of the yeoman infantry, and other royalists who had fled from the town on the advance of the rebels, hearing of the force which was now to occupy it, hastened back to their homes at Gorey. Lieutenant Gordon did not find the force in the town which he had reason to expect, and instead of remaining quietly in the place for its arrival, he set out with his little band to scour the country in search of rebels, and killed about fifty men, said to have been rebels, but then in their homes, or straggling homeward from the rebel armies. On the 22nd, Perry being on his march from Wexford, as I have just related, received information of this slaughter ; he directly turned from his road, and with his men made for Gorey, determined on revenge. Lieutenant Gordon, apprized of his approach, marched out to meet him as far as a spot called Charlotte Grove, with his seventeen cavalry, and fourteen of the yeomanry
320

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 300

Burning of Carnew and executions of Orangemen

Carnew · town · Wicklow · 1798

Rebels spent four or five days burning the town of Carnew, trying and executing Orangemen, and plundering houses before advancing to attack Arklow.

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Meantime that body of insurgents who had defeated Colonel Walpole and advanced to Gorey had for¬ tunately been as inactive as their friends at Lacken. Instead of marching immediately upon Arklow, which had been abandoned by the garrison on the morning of the 5th, they waited till the 9th. By that time the mnic had subsided, the garrison had returned to their duty, and had been reinforced by the Cavan regiment of militia, and at one o’clock in the morning of the 9th, by a regiment of the Durham fencibles, under Colonel Skerrett. At length the rebels, who had been for the preceding four or five days occupied in burning the town of Carnew, in trying and executing Orangemen, in plundering houses, and other acts of a similar nature,
1798.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 284

Cavalry Ambushed by Rebels Near Carnew

Carnew · town · Wicklow · 1798

Lieutenant-Colonel Pulestone's two hundred cavalry, pushing forward unsupported near Carnew, were ambushed by rebels firing from behind walls and hedges, killing fifty-five without losing a single rebel.

Read the passage

opposed by a body of the King’s troops, who killed a great number of them, and those who escaped passed through the woods near Ferns, and gained the Wicklow mountains. There they fell in wfith Garret Byrne, who had been repulsed from Hacketstown, and, placing themselves under his command, they returned towards Wexford, intending to surprise the garrison of Carnew by the way. General Needham, who com¬ manded the forces stationed at Gorey, hearing of their approach, sent two hundred cavalry, under the com¬ mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Pulestone, and a propor¬ tionate body of infantry, to disperse them. They came up with the rebels near Carnew ; and the cavalry, pushing forward with most imprudent zeal, so as to be quite unsupported by the infantry, began a vigorous attack ; but the rebels, quitting the high-road, placed themselves behind the wall or hedges on either side, and poured such a destructive fire on their adversaries, that they killed, in a very short time, fifty-five of them, without losing a single man. The cavalry, unable to retreat, or to do any injury to the rebels, had no resource but to push forward for Carnew, where they gave the alarm to the garrison, which had barely time to retire into a malt-house that had escaped the previous con¬ flagration of the town, and which now served as their
1798.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 305

Founding of the First United Irishmen Club in Belfast

near Belfast · city · Antrim · 1791

The first club of United Irishmen was formed at Belfast on 14 October 1791 by Theobald Wolfe Tone, aided by Thomas Russell, with the avowed aim of uniting Protestants, Dissenters and Catholics to secure Catholic emancipation and parliamentary reform. The club had thirty-six members, with Simon Butler as chairman and James Napper Tandy as secretary.

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The first club of United Irishmen was formed at
1791.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0

General Asgill Relieves Castlecomer

Castlecomer · town · Kilkenny · 1798

Major-General Sir Charles Asgill arrived with twelve hundred men to reinforce the desperate loyalist defence, and their joint exertions drove the rebels out of Castlecomer by four in the afternoon, though Asgill later retired to Kilkenny for lack of shelter.

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On entering tlie town they massacred between fifty and sixty of the loyalists, but, finding that mode of exter¬ mination too slow, they set fire to the place, which then underwent all the horrors of a town taken by storm. The loyalists, however, made a desperate de¬ fence, in which they were soon seconded by the arrival of Major-General Sir Charles Asgill, with a force of twelve hundred men. Their joint exertions succeeded in driving the rebels out of the town at four o’clock in the afternoon ; but the general, finding no shelter for his troops, retired to Kilkenny, followed by all the loyalists. After their departure the rebels returned, plundered the now deserted town, and once more re¬ gained the heights they had occupied on the preceding night.
On the morning of the 25th Father Murphy found that his numbers were reduced by desertion to between four and five thousand men, and that his hopes of raising an insurrection were vain ; he therefore resolved to return to Wexford. Accordingly he marched that day to Kilcomny, near Newbridge, where he took post on a rising ground, and on the following morning he was attacked on three sides by General Asgill, aided by Major Mathews with five hundred men of the Downshire militia. After an hour’s brisk firing the rebels gave way, and fled towards Scollogh Gap, leaving ten pieces of artillery, seven hundred horses, and all their plunder, to the victorious loyalists. The celebrated Father John Murphy was taken prisoner after this engagement, and brought to Tullow, the

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 304

Imprisonment of rebel leaders in Wexford gaol

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey of Bargy Castle, John Colclough of Ballyteige, and Edward Fitzgerald of New Park were arrested as suspected fomenters of disturbance and lodged in Wexford gaol at the outbreak of rebellion.

Read the passage

The principal leaders of the rebels in the county of Wexford were Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey of Bargy Castle; John Colclough, of Ballyteig ; and Edward Fitzgerald, of New Park. These men had long shown their opposition to the existing order of things in their county, insomuch that they were considered by the magistracy as decided fomenters of the disturbances, and on the first breaking out of the rebellion they were arrested, and lodged in Wexford gaol, as a mea¬ sure of precaution, and to deprive the rebels of their countenance, though there was not any specific charge against them. When the surrender of Enniscorthy excited such well-grounded apprehensions for the safety of Wexford, Captain Boyd, who commanded the garrison, visited those three gentlemen in the gaol, and prevailed upon Colclough and Fitzgerald to go to Enniscorthy and endeavour to persuade the insurgents to disperse, taking their words of honour to return to gaol in case of failure, but giving them a promise of total enlargement, protection, and oblivion of all accu¬ sations against them, in case of their success. They went accordingly, and were received with shouts of welcome ; but when they declared their mission they met not the smallest success. Colclough, as a man of honour, directly retired, with the intention of re-
u 2

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 274

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford town, this is where three men the authorities feared most were locked up in 1798. Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey of Bargy Castle, John Colclough of Ballyteige, and Edward Fitzgerald of New Park were arrested at the outbreak of the rebellion and lodged in Wexford gaol as a precaution, with no specific charge against them. When the fall of Enniscorthy raised fears for Wexford's safety, Captain Boyd, who commanded the garrison, visited the three in the gaol and persuaded Colclough and Fitzgerald to go to Enniscorthy and urge the insurgents to disperse. He took their word of honour that they would return to gaol if they failed, and promised them full release, protection, and oblivion of all accusations if they succeeded. They went, and were met with shouts of welcome, but when they declared their mission they had no success whatever. Colclough, as a man of honour, turned back at once, meaning to return to the gaol.

Martial Law and Sir Ralph Abercrombie's Manifesto

Kildare · town · Kildare · 1798

The lord lieutenant gave Sir Ralph Abercrombie discretionary powers in disturbed districts, and troops used pillage, burning, and torture to extract confessions, causing many in Kildare and Tipperary to surrender arms.

Read the passage

nortli the peasants returned to their homes and usual occupations : still the conspiracy, though checked, was not put down. In Leinster and Munster large bodies of the insurgents were in arms, and continually harass¬ ing the peaceable inhabitants, till at last the lord lieutenant issued a proclamation, by which he gave Sir Ralph Abercrombie, the commander-in-chief of the forces, discretionary powers in all the disturbed districts. That general addressed a manifesto to the people, dated the 3rd of April, requiring them, under pain of military execution, to deliver up their arms within ten days ; and promising secrecy and reward to all who would give information. At the expiration of the pro¬ mised delay, his threats were put in force. The troops were quartered on the houses of the disaffected or sus¬ pected. Many houses were pillaged or burnt, under pretext of seeking for arms. Picketings, floggings, and other modes of torture, were applied to extort con¬ fessions, and the people were so constantly harassed, that very many, especially in the counties of Kildare and Tipperary, returned to their allegiance, and gave up their arms and ammunition, so that the chiefs, fear¬ ing a total disorganization, resolved to try an immediate rising, without waiting, as they had intended, the arrival of their French auxiliaries. The military committee accordingly fixed on the night of the 23rd of May for the commencement of the insurrection.
The executive government, aware of the intended rising, thought fit, as a necessary precaution, to arrest many of the leading members of the Union. Among

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 258

As the companion tells it

As you come through Kildare, this town sits in the story of 1798. That spring, insurgents in Leinster and Munster were in arms, harassing the peaceable inhabitants, and the lord lieutenant gave Sir Ralph Abercrombie, commander-in-chief of the forces, discretionary powers in all the disturbed districts. On the 3rd of April, Abercrombie addressed a manifesto to the people, requiring them to deliver up their arms within ten days, under pain of military execution, and promising secrecy and reward to anyone who gave information. When the ten days passed, his threats were put in force. Troops were quartered on the houses of the disaffected or suspected. Many houses were pillaged or burnt under pretext of seeking for arms. Picketings, floggings, and other modes of torture were applied to extort confessions. The people were so constantly harassed that very many, especially in the counties of Kildare and Tipperary, returned to their allegiance and gave up their arms and ammunition. The chiefs, fearing a total disorganization, resolved to try an immediate rising, without waiting as they had intended for the arrival of their French auxiliaries. The military committee fixed on the night of the 23rd of May for the commencement of the insurrection. The executive government, aware of the intended rising, thought fit, as a necessary precaution, to arrest many of the leading members of the Union.

Massacre of Barclay's Family at Forkhill Cited as Precedent

near Forkill · parish · Armagh · 1795

Opponents of the United Irishmen cited the massacre of Barclay's family at Forkhill by the Defenders as proof of Catholic rancour, alongside other atrocities in the feud against the Peep-o'-day Boys.

Read the passage

testants, similar to that which, in 1641, had take place under the guidance of Lord Maquire, Sir Phelii O’Neale, and Roger Moore. They adduced the mas sacre of Barclay’s family at Forkhill, and other enor mities, committed by the Defenders, in their feu against the Peep-o’-day Boys, as proofs of the existin rancour of the Papists ; and, led on by some zealou and perhaps well-meaning persons, towards the end c the year 1795 they formed a counter-association, an called themselves Orangemen, in allusion to Kin William, Prince of Orange.
The party broils between the Orangemen and th Roman Catholics had for some time been carried t the most indecent and violent extremes, disturbing an disuniting the nearest connexions, invading the peac of private families, and even poisoning those convivia meetings so congenial to the Irish character. The firs toast usually given after every entertainment by th triumphant party was, “ The glorious and immorta memory of King William, and down with popery an slavery:” while the opposite party, with equal fervour and perhaps with more bitterness, toasted, “ The me mory of the sorrel horse which broke King William' neck.”

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 185

Meetings with Lord Edward Fitzgerald in Dublin before his arrest attempt

Aungier Street · street · Dublin · 1798

Reynolds saw Lord Edward Fitzgerald on the 11th at Leinster Lodge, again on the 14th at Dr. Kennedy's house in Aungier Street, and a third time on the 15th by appointment, when Lord Edward gave him a letter for the Kildare County Committee.

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My father had seen Lord Edward on the 11th, that is, on the day before the arrests, at Leinster Lodge. He saw him again on the 14th, at the house of Dr. Kennedy, in Aungier-street, and a third time, by ap¬ pointment, on the 15th, when Lord Edward gave him a letter for the Kildare County Committee. I mention these interviews in a cursory manner now. I shall presently have to speak more fully on the subject of Lord Edward, when I examine the history of his life and death, as given by Mr. Thomas Moore, and I will then state the circumstances which led to those three interviews, and what took place at them.
On the 17th of March my father left Dublin on his way to Kilkea, and slept at Naas, eighteen miles from town. His arrival was quickly known, being looked for in consequence of a letter written by post from Lord Edward Fitzgerald to Kennaa, stating that my father

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 204

As the companion tells it

On this street in Dublin, in March 1798, Thomas Reynolds met Lord Edward Fitzgerald at the house of Dr. Kennedy. He had seen Lord Edward a few days earlier, on the 11th, at Leinster Lodge, the day before the arrests. The meeting here in Aungier Street was on the 14th, and there was a third meeting by appointment on the 15th, when Lord Edward gave Reynolds a letter for the Kildare County Committee. On the 17th of March Reynolds left Dublin, sleeping at Naas on his way to Kilkea. His arrival was quickly known, as he was expected because of a letter Lord Edward had written to Kennedy.

Michael Reynolds Killed Leading Attack at Hacketstown

Hacketstown · parish · Wicklow · 1798

Michael Reynolds, who had escaped unhurt from the battle at Naas, was killed on 25 June 1798 while leading a band of followers in an attack at Hacketstown.

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they began to give way, and at length fled on all sides, pursued and slaughtered by the cavalry. Their loss was thirty men killed in the assault, and above one hundred more in the pursuit ; the numbers wounded have never been stated, but they must have been very numerous. Of the king’s troops, there were two offi¬ cers and seventeen privates killed, and several wounded* Michael Reynolds escaped unhurt, and on the 25th of the following month was killed at the head of a band of his misguided followers, whom he was leading to the attack at Hacketstown.
On the evening of the 24th large bodies of the rebels approached the town of Rathangan ; but Captain Langton, who wras quartered there with a company of the South Cork militia, kept them in check during the night, after several skirmishes. Next day, in pursu¬ ance of his orders, he marched with his troop from Rathangan to join General Dundas, who had been compelled to evacuate Kilkullen, after losing Captains Erskine and Cooke, and several of his men. The inhabitants of Rathangan, thus abandoned to their resources, remained under arms all night between the 25th and 26th, expecting every moment to be attacked. But the rebels did not make their appearance till the morning of the 26th, when they entered the town in such numbers as to render all attempts to oppose them hopeless. Among the numerous atrocities which they committed during the short time they remained in pos¬ session of the place, the following deserves to be more particularly noticed. Mr. Spenser was a magistrate, and

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 265

Mob storms Irish House of Lords in Dublin

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1759

A riotous Dublin mob forced its way into the House of Lords, seated an old woman on the throne, and compelled members present to swear against a union with Great Britain.

Read the passage

Kildare. In that year a sum of 240,000/., which re¬ mained unappropriated in the Irish treasury, was with¬ drawn from the country, to the great detriment of the kingdom. That proceeding was immediately laid hold of by the Patriots ; and, as it had already created general dissatisfaction, it was commented on in public and private meetings, till at length the mob became so riotous as to alarm the Viceroy for his personal safety, and to cause him to quit the country in all haste, under the protection of a military guard. In 1755 the Mar¬ quis of Hartington, afterwards created Duke of Devon¬ shire, was appointed Lord Lieutenant, and an entire change took place in the government. Stone, the primate, was removed from the privy council ; Boyle, the leader of the patriot party in the lower House, was created Earl of Shannon. Several others of the party were advanced to lucrative and influential stations ; and most of those who had been displaced for favouring the popular cause were reinstated. But these conces¬ sions came too late : the poverty was so great, that the lower orders were discontented, and ripe for any ex¬ cesses ; and, as is usual in such cases, artful and designing men seized the opportunity of advancing their own interests, by fanning the slumbering embers into a flame. Reports were propagated, that Ireland was to be deprived of her Parliament and subjected to the same taxes as England, and that a union with Great Britain was projected. A riotous mob forced its way into the House of Lords, seated an old woman upon the throne, compelled such members as they could
1759.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 17

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Dublin, you are travelling the city where, in 1759, a riotous mob forced its way into the House of Lords. The trouble had been building for years. A sum of 240,000 pounds had been withdrawn from the Irish treasury, leaving the kingdom worse off. The Patriots seized on it, public and private meetings aired the grievance, and the mob grew so unruly that the Viceroy fled the country under military guard. In 1755 the Marquis of Hartington, later Duke of Devonshire, was appointed Lord Lieutenant, and concessions followed. The primate Stone was removed from the privy council. Boyle, the patriot leader in the lower House, was created Earl of Shannon. Others were advanced to lucrative posts, and many who had been displaced for supporting the popular cause were reinstated. But the concessions came too late. Poverty was so great among the lower orders that they were ripe for any excesses, and artful men fanned the slumbering embers into a flame. Reports spread that Ireland was to be deprived of her Parliament, subjected to the same taxes as England, and that a union with Great Britain was projected. The mob broke into the Lords, seated an old woman upon the throne, and compelled such members as they could find to swear against a union.

Napper Tandy Tried at Lifford Assizes

Lifford · townland · Donegal · 1801

After being arrested at Hamburgh and sent to Ireland, Napper Tandy was indicted for high treason at the spring assizes held at Lifford for County Donegal in 1801. He pleaded guilty and obtained royal mercy on condition of banishing himself from the country.

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Napper Tandy was afterwards arrested at Hamburgh, and sent to Ireland, where he was indicted for high treason, at the spring assizes, held at Lifford, for the county of Donegal, in 1801; and, having pleaded guilty, he obtained the royal mercy, on condition of banishing himself from the country.
The news of Humbert’s first successes soon reached France, and immediate preparations were made for sending the second detachment from Brest. On the 20th of September the expedition set sail from the Baie de Camaret. It consisted of the Hoche 74, the Loire, Resolve, Bellone, Coquille, Embuscade, Immortalite, Romaine, and Semillante, frigates, and the Biche schooner, under the command of Commodore Bom part. The land-forces consisted of three thousand men, under General Hardy. Bompart took a large sweep to the westward, to avoid the British fleet, and, then turning to the north-east, he reached the end of Loch Swilly on the 10th of October, after twenty days’ sailing. On the following morning, before he could enter the bay, he was signalled by Sir John Borlase Warren, and, after a desperate fight, the Hoche and six of the frigates were taken : the Romaine and the Semillante, with the Biche schooner, escaped to France.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 334

Peasantry flock to defend Belfast against Thurot

near Belfast · city · Antrim · 1760

On hearing thousands of peasantry were flocking to Belfast to offer their services against the French landing, Thurot hastily re-embarked his men from Carrickfergus.

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nished with provisions, and that a number of French prisoners, equal to that of the garrison, should be released, and sent home to France. Next day, Thurot, hearing that some thousands of the peasantry were flocking to Belfast to offer their services, hastily reimbarked his men ; and, being prevented by contrary winds from going round the north of Ireland, boldly attempted to return home through the Irish Channel. On the 28th of February he was overtaken near the Isle of Man by Commodore Elliot, with three English frigates ; and after a desperate fight for one hour and a half, in which Thurot was killed, the three French frigates were captured, and brought into Ramsay Bay. On this occasion the Irish House of Commons was loud in its commendation of the zeal and patriotism of the inhabitants of the counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down, and Derry. Shortly afterwards George II. died, and with the new reign began a new series of events of the greatest importance.
About the year 1760 the distress in the south of Ireland, first caused by the restrictions on the wooltrade, had greatly increased in consequence of a law which exempted grazing- grounds from the payment of tithes. This law, which had been intended as a measure of relief, had in fact operated as a premium to the landowners and farmers to convert their arable land to pasture, and, consequently, vast numbers of labourers were thrown out of employ, while those who were still employed were obliged to submit to such a low rate of wages as was altogether inadequate

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 19

Quarrel near Market Hill sparks Peep-o'-day Boys and Defenders feud

near Markethill · town · Armagh · 1785–1787

A quarrel between two Presbyterians near Market Hill, county Armagh, escalated into a religious feud spreading across Ireland, giving rise to the Peep-o'-day Boys and the Defenders.

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About the same year a quarrel between two Presby¬ terians near Market Hill, in the county of Armagh, led to a feud, which gradually increased in violence, until, having assumed a religious complexion, it spread over the whole of Ireland. The two men, not satisfied with voiding their quarrel by themselves, began by inviting their friends to their assistance, at first without distinc¬ tion of religious denomination ; but as each party in¬ creased in numbers they lost sight of their original quarrel, and separated into Roman Catholic and Pres¬ byterian. The Roman Catholics were by far the most numerous, and showed great activity in collecting arms. The Presbyterians adopted the plan of disarming them, and with that view they visited their houses at a very early hour in the morning, whence they obtained the name of Peep-o’-day Boys. In their search they were often guilty of wanton excesses, both on the persons and property of their antagonists.
The Roman Catholics took the name of Defenders, and, as the passions of both parties were much inflamed, they never let pass an opportunity of attacking one another, and bloodshed and murder were too often the

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 45

Rebel attack on Granard repulsed

Granard · townland · Longford · 1798

On 5 September 1798, several thousand rebels led by Alexander Denniston attacked the town of Granard but were repulsed after five hours of fighting by Captain Cottingham's reinforced garrison, and pursued with great slaughter.

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espoused this cause. The rising took place on the 4th of September, the same day on which the French evacuated Castlebar, and on the morning of the 5th a body of several thousand rebels, led by one Alex¬ ander Denniston, a lieutenant of the Mastrim yeoman cavalry, marched to the attack of the town of Granard. Fortunately on that same morning Captain Cottingham, of the Cavan and Ballyhaise yeoman infantry, arrived from Cavan with eighty-five men : these, with the few troops who were stationed in Granard, formed a body of a hundred and fifty-seven infantry and forty-nine cavalry. The rebels attacked this little body with great impetuosity, but Captain Cottingham bravely stood his ground. During five hours the insurgents made the most desperate attempt to drive back the troops, but they were received with such a welldirected fire of musketry that all their efforts were ineffectual, and towards three o’clock in the afternoon they gave way and fled in all directions, pursued with great slaughter by the cavalry.
On the evening of the same day a strong column of the rebels, having rallied, marched to attack Wilson’s hospital, six miles from Mullingar. This hospital, which had been built for the maintenance of twenty old men and a hundred boys, had been seized and plundered in the morning by another party, and the rebels, enraged at their defeat, were just about to mur¬ der twenty-eight Protestant prisoners, whom they had collected from the neighbourhood, when Lord Longford came up with a force of yeomen and Argyle fencibles,

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 327

Rebel gatherings at Oulart Hill and Kilthomas Hill

Oulart · town · Wexford · 1798

By the morning of 27 May 1798, two large rebel bodies of six or seven thousand armed men, plus women and children, gathered at Oulart hill south of Gorey and Kilthomas hill west of the town.

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While by these successive defeats the rebellion seemed entirely put down in the neighbourhood of Dublin, where it had first broken out, it burst forth with increased energy in a part of the country where it was least expected, and very soon increased to such an extent as to occasion universal and serious alarm. On the 26th of May the standard of rebellion was raised by Father John Murphy, priest of Boulavogue, between Gorey and Wexford. As the county of Wexford was known to be but very partially organized, and many of its Roman Catholic inhabitants had voted an address to the lord lieutenant, declaring their loy¬ alty, and offering to arm in defence of the laws, the government had not more than six hundred men sta¬ tioned in that county, so that they were ill prepared to oppose any serious rising. As soon as it was known that a priest had placed himself at the head of the insur¬ gents, the people flocked to him in such numbers that by the morning of the 27th two large bodies were collected, one on the hill of Oulart, about eleven miles south of Gorey, and anothei on Kilthomas hill, about nine miles to the west of that town. These bodies were composed of six or seven thousand armed men, and a vast num¬ ber of women and children. It is fair to add that the numbers of the insurgents were much increased by the injudicious conduct of some of the yeomen, who, on the first intelligence of Father Murphy’s proceedings, went
288

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 270

Reynolds warned of assassination plot at Macdonnel's inn

Kilkea · parish · Kildare · 1798

Thomas Reynolds's father stayed at Macdonnel's house where United Irishmen urged Macdonnel to allow a nighttime murder. Warned of the plot, he barricaded himself in a room opposite a military guard-room until daybreak, then rode back to Kilkea.

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Meanwhile my father’s situation was very precarious : Macdonnel, in whose house he remained, was, like all persons of his class, a sort of United man, and was strongly urged by Michael Reynolds and others, to allow a party to enter his house and murder my father during the night. Macdonnel’s own ruin must have ensued had he done so : he w~as a prudent and a humane man ; he went to my father and told him wThat was going on. The room he occupied in the inn looked on the street, and was directly fronting a guard-room of the military ; so that being warned of the danger, he fastened the door, and being armed, he could have resisted, without difficulty, while he gave the alarm from his window. Thus the time passed until day-break, when, knowing that the military were still out, and that consequently the roads were safe, he mounted his horse, and returned on the 4th of May to Kilkea, where he could defy the assassins, unless he allowed himself to be taken unarmed and by surprise.
At this period the disturbed state of the country rendered all communication difficult and precarious. Expresses were frequently waylaid, robbed, and some¬ times murdered on the roads at noon-day. The military had authority to act independently of the civil power, and courts-martial in the country towns and out-quarters, executed their sentences in a most summary man¬ ner, without appeal to Dublin. Men were frequently arrested, tried, and executed by these military tribunals within the space of two or three hours. In many places they were permanently sitting, and though perhaps

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 226

Trial of rebel chief Keugh at Wexford for saving Earl of Kingston

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

The rebel chief Keugh was tried by court-martial at Wexford, where his having saved the life of the Earl of Kingston, at great personal risk, was used as proof of his guilt and undue influence; he was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged.

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government as proofs of liis possessing an undue in¬ fluence ; and the very persons whose goods were re¬ stored considered him, not as an individual actuated by worthy motives, but as the head of a gang, influenc¬ ing his subaltern plunderers. So decided was this de¬ scription of feeling throughout Ireland, that on the trials by courts-martial, during and subsequent to the heat of the rebellion, the successful display of humanity by a person accused was very frequently urged, and with success, as a proof of guilt. Whoever could be proved to have saved a Royalist from assassination, his house from being burned, or his property from plunder, was considered as having undue influence among the people, and was consequently set down as a rebel com¬ mander. When the rebel chief Keugh was brought to trial at Wexford, where at great peril of his own life he had preserved that of the Earl of Kingston, his protection and kindness to that nobleman, who was a witness for the prosecution, were adduced as un¬ doubted proofs of his guilt, to the great scandal of many persons in court. When Keugh was found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged, a gentleman in the court exclaimed, “ Well, I thank my God that no per¬ son can prove me guilty of saving the life or property of any one.”
These very circumstances, which raised the suspicions of government, caused my father to be reported through the United Irish committees as one counteracting their measures, and disaffected to their cause, insomuch as to occasion John M‘Can, the provincial secretary, on his

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 210

As the companion tells it

You're passing through Wexford now, the town where the rebel chief Keugh was brought to trial by court-martial in 1798. During the rebellion, a strange logic governed these military courts. If you could be proved to have saved a Royalist from assassination, or his house from being burned, or his property from plunder, that was taken as proof you had undue influence among the people, and so you were a rebel commander. Acts of humanity were turned into evidence of guilt. Keugh had saved the Earl of Kingston's life at great peril of his own. Kingston appeared as a witness for the prosecution, and Keugh's protection and kindness toward that nobleman were put before the court as undoubted proof of his guilt, to the great scandal of many persons present. He was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. Upon the sentence, a gentleman in the court exclaimed, "Well, I thank my God that no person can prove me guilty of saving the life or property of any one." The same instinct that condemned Keugh worked in the other direction too. A man who showed humanity to Royalists could be reported through the United Irish committees as disaffected to their cause, as happened to the narrator's father, who was reported by John McCann, the provincial secretary.

Troops quartered at Kilkea Castle after Bond's house arrests

Kilkea · parish · Kildare · 1798

After the arrests at Bond's house, government suspicion turned to Reynolds and a troop of dragoons and company of infantry were sent to live at free quarters upon his estate at Kilkea for ten days. His land-steward's account for corn, hay, straw, cattle and sheep furnished to the troops came to £630.

Read the passage

* Mr. Reynolds retired into the country, after the arrests at Bond’s house, intending to leave Ireland with his family until the restoration of tranquillity, but his departure was delayed by Mrs. Reynolds’ confine¬ ment, which took place on the 1 5th of April. In the mean time the suspicions of Government were directed towards him. A troop of dra¬ goons, and a company of infantry were sent to live at free quarters upon his estate : the troops remained at Kilkea ten days, and the sum of 630^., mentioned by Mr. Reynolds, was his land-steward’s account for corn, hay^ straw, cattle, and sheep furnished to the troops during that visit. When the troops left him, he was again about to depart, when he was arrested by order of Colonel Campbell, on informations sworn against him by five of his captains, and directed to be tried by court-martial, and, if convicted, executed. It was then that he made himself known to Government, and claimed the benefit of the second condition. But for this circumstance he would in all probability have ever remained unknown to government ; and the prisoners who were now tried, and their confederates then in custody* must all have been discharged, after a short confinement, for want of evi¬ dence to convict them, or, if brought to trial, must have been acquitted, as was the case with Arthur O’Connor at Maidstone. The following letter from Lord Castlereagh to Mr. Reynolds, written many years after these events, corroborates the latter part of the above statement.
* Sir, “ Downing Street, 1st August, 1808.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 417

Wolfe Tone Embarks for America at Belfast

near Belfast · city · Antrim · 1795

On 13 June 1795, in pursuance of a compromise made with the government, Theobald Wolfe Tone embarked at Belfast for America, having received secret instructions to follow up negotiations with Jackson.

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On the 13th of June, 1795, Mr. Theobald Wolfe Tone, in pursuance of the compromise made with the government, embarked at Belfast for America ; but, before he went, he tells us that “ he received secret instructions to follow up the negociations begun with Jackson;” and that he went, with his friend Russell, to Emmet’s house at Rathfarnham, where he stated his intention of leaving his family in America, and of setting off instantly for Paris, for the purpose of apply¬ ing, in the name of his country, for the assistance of the French. He adds, It is unnecessary, I believe, to say that this plan met with the warmest approbation and support from both Russell and Emmet. ”j' Fie says he also consulted M‘Cormick and Keogh, and received, as he expected, their most cordial approba¬ tion ; and they both laid their most positive injunctions upon him to leave nothing un attempted on his part to
+ Life of Tone, vol. i. p. 125.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 152

Arrest of Thomas Reynolds at Castle Dermot post-office

Castledermot · town · Kildare · 1798

Following depositions by five men accusing him of being a United Irish leader, dragoons under Colonel Campbell arrested Reynolds at Castle Dermot post-office, having missed him at Kilkea Castle.

Read the passage

with the United Irish business. The County Com¬ mittee, whose duty it was to advise and assist such of their associates as fell under the lash of the authorities, ordered these five men to make their peace by accusing my father, in expectation that, being tried by a courtmartial, he would fall a victim to military execution, although he had escaped assassination : and this mea¬ sure of theirs it was that first brought my father into direct communication with the administration . In obedience to those commands these five men deposed before Colonel Campbell that my father was a prin¬ cipal leader of the United Irishmen, and their imme¬ diate chief or colonel. In consequence of these depo¬ sitions Colonel Campbell on the 5th of May sent a party of dragoons to arrest him at Kilkea. On that morning, expecting letters from Dublin, my father had mounted a little Arabian horse belonging to my mother, and had ridden to the post-office at Castle Dermot about a mile from Kilkea Castle, on the side opposite to that on which the town of Athy was situ¬ ated, from whence a party of the 9th dragoons were detached to arrest him. The dragoons arrived at Kilkea soon after he had left it, and Sergeant Mackay and a few troopers were sent after him to Castle Dermot, where they found him reading his letters at the door of the post-office. They rode up to him, and with much civility said they had orders to conduct him to Athy. He accordingly returned with them to Kilkea, where he delivered his keys to his steward, William Byrne, with a note for his cousin, Thomas
240

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 228

Battle near Saintfield against Colonel Stapleton

near Saintfield · town · Down · 1798

On 9 June rebels under newly elected general Henry Munro attacked York fencibles and yeomanry cavalry under Colonel Stapleton in a well-fought battle costing Stapleton 60 men before the rebels were defeated and dispersed.

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pearance near Saintfield, led on by Dr. Jackson of Newtownards. One of their first exploits was directed against Mr. Mackee, a very respectable farmer, who was obnoxious to them. They surrounded his house, set it on fire, and burnt him, his wife, his children, and his servants, amounting to 11 persons, driving back into the flames with their pikes, such as endeavoured to quit the house and escape. They then elected Henry Munro, a shopkeeper of Lisburn, as their general ; and on the 9th they attacked a body of York fencibles and yeomanry cavalry, under Colonel Stapleton. After a well-fought battle, in which Colonel Stapleton lost 60 men, the rebels were defeated, and dispersed in all directions. Next day they re-assembled at Ballynahinch, on the Windmill Hill, and on Lord Moira’s property. On the 12th, General Nugent and Colonel Stewart, with 1500 hundred men, went in pursuit of them, and soon gained possession of Windmill Hill, as well as of the town of Ballynahinch, which the troops wantonly set on fire. On the morning of the 13th the action began : the rebels were about 5000 in number, and fought with great fury and determination for several hours ; but at length, their courage alone was not sufficient to with¬ stand the discipline of the regular troops, and they gave way in all directions. The main body retired to the mountains of Slyeeve Croob, from whence in a few days they separated, and returned to their homes.
Another very slight insurrection took place in the county of Cork, where, on the 19th of June, an attack was made on a detachment of the Westmeath regiment

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 313

Butler and Bond Sentenced for Publication Against Committee

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1793

Simon Butler and Oliver Bond, as chairman and secretary of the United Irishmen, were brought before the House of Lords in Dublin and sentenced to six months imprisonment and a fine of 500l each for publishing objections to the secret committee's authority.

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In the beginning of the year 1793 the House of Lords appointed a secret committee to inquire into the causes of the disturbances which were so prevalent throughout the country, and especially in the county of Louth. That committee thought proper to examine witnesses on oath, and the United Irishmen, fearing a premature discovery of their designs, published a series of observations calculated to show that the committee had no such right. In consequence of that publication the Honourable Simon Butler and Oliver Bond, who, as chairman and secretary, had signed it, were brought before the House on the 1st of March, and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of 5007 each. The result of the report of the committee was the cele¬ brated Convention Bill, the object of which was to pre¬ vent the election or appointment of unlawful assemblies under the pretence of preparing or presenting public petitions or other addresses to his Majesty or the par¬ liament. All such assemblies were by the bill declared unlawful. This bill was a severe blow to the United Irishmen. It obliged them to use the greatest secrecy and circumspection in all their proceedings, and had it been vigorously enforced it would probably have nipped the entire association in the bud. All the United Irish-
152

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 148

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Dublin, this city was where the United Irishmen met their first serious setback in 1793. The House of Lords appointed a secret committee to inquire into disturbances across the country, and the United Irishmen, fearing premature discovery of their designs, published objections arguing the committee had no right to examine witnesses on oath. On the 1st of March the Honourable Simon Butler and Oliver Bond, who as chairman and secretary had signed the publication, were brought before the House and sentenced to six months' imprisonment and a fine of 500 pounds each. The committee's report led to the celebrated Convention Bill, which declared all such assemblies unlawful and aimed to prevent the election or appointment of bodies under the pretence of preparing public petitions to the King or Parliament. The bill was a severe blow to the United Irishmen, obliging them to use the greatest secrecy and circumspection in all their proceedings. Had it been vigorously enforced, it would probably have nipped the entire association in the bud.

Evacuation of Wexford by loyalist forces

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

On 30 May 1798, militia and yeomanry abandoned their posts and fled towards Duncannon, leaving Colonel Maxwell to evacuate Wexford, which the rebel force of 15,000 then occupied without opposition.

Read the passage

The rebel force, amounting to 15,000 men, now took possession of Wexford without any opposition.
The rapid success of the insurgents in the southern parts of the county of Wexford created universal alarm among the loyal inhabitants of the neighbouring towns. At Gorey, especially, which was garrisoned by Lieu¬ tenant Swayne, with only thirty men of the North Cork militia, and a few yeomen, the terror and agitation was so great, that an order was given to evacuate the town, and retire to Arklow. As soon as this order was known, a melancholy scene of confusion took place. Crowds of people were running in all directions for their horses, harnessing their cars, and placing their families in them with terror and haste, in order to get away before the imagined arrival of a resistless and ferocious enemy. The road was soon tilled with vehicles

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 277

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, this is the town that fell to the rebel cause on 30 May 1798. A rebel force of 15,000 men took possession of Wexford without any opposition, after the loyalist forces abandoned their posts. The rapid success of the insurgents in the southern parts of the county created universal alarm among the loyal inhabitants of the neighbouring towns. At Gorey, garrisoned by Lieutenant Swayne with only 30 men of the North Cork militia and a few yeomen, the terror was so great that an order was given to evacuate the town and retire to Arklow. The scene that followed was one of melancholy confusion, crowds running in all directions for their horses, harnessing their cars, placing their families in them with terror and haste, and the road soon filled with vehicles.

Provincial committee to meet at Oliver Bond's house, Bridge Street

Bridge Street · street · Dublin · 1798

Reynolds was told that the Leinster provincial committee was to meet on 19 February 1798 at the house of Oliver Bond in Bridge-street, Dublin, where plans for imminent insurrection and assassination of government leaders were to be discussed.

Read the passage

they were re-appointed or superseded, according to cir¬ cumstances. The rules of the association did not per¬ mit Cummins or Daly to mention in the county com¬ mittee what they had learned in the provincial, any further than they had previous orders from the pro¬ vincial to reveal ; hut they of course considered it neces¬ sary to be more explicit with my father, as he was now to meet the provincial as treasurer. Therefore after the meeting had broken up, they took him aside and informed him that the provincial was to meet next day, the 19th, at ten o’clock,, at the house of Oliver Bond, in Bridge-street, in Dublin ; that Bond was not a member of the Leinster provincial, but that a Mr. Mac- Can, who was chief clerk to Mr. Bond’s brother-in-law, Jackson, the iron-founder, would attend and conduct the proceedings as agent for the directory, and secre¬ tary to the provincial committee ; and by way of pre¬ paring my father for the business, which was to be dis¬ cussed in the provincial, they then disclosed to him, for the first time, that all was prepared for an immediate insurrection, which only awaited the arrival of a mili¬ tary force daily expected from France, and that orders had gone from the directory, through the committees, for the people to exert themselves in every way to possess themselves of arms, and ammunition, and to deprive their enemies of them ; and that one of the signals for open rebellion, and the first step to be taken to ensure success, was to deprive the executive govern¬ ment of its principal active leaders, by the assassination of about eighty individuals, of whose names Mr. Cum-
188

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 180

As the companion tells it

Along this street in Dublin stood the house of Oliver Bond, where the Leinster provincial committee was to meet on the 19th of February 1798. The meeting was set for ten o'clock. Bond was not himself a member of the Leinster provincial. A Mr. Mac-Can, who was chief clerk to Bond's brother-in-law, Jackson the iron-founder, would attend and conduct the proceedings as agent for the directory, and secretary to the provincial committee. The story reaches us through Thomas Reynolds. After a county committee meeting had broken up, Cummins and Daly took his father aside. Reynolds' father was to meet the provincial as treasurer, and they considered it necessary to be more explicit with him. They told him the provincial was to meet the next day at Bond's house. Then they disclosed to him, for the first time, what the business was. All was prepared for an immediate insurrection, which only awaited the arrival of a military force daily expected from France. Orders had gone from the directory, through the committees, for the people to exert themselves in every way to possess themselves of arms and ammunition, and to deprive their enemies of them. One of the signals for open rebellion, and the first step to be taken to ensure success, was to deprive the executive government of its principal active leaders, by the assassination of about eighty individuals.

Reynolds hides valuables in walled closet at Kilkea Castle

Kilkea · parish · Kildare · 1798

Thomas Reynolds walled up a closet in his sitting room at Kilkea to conceal family plate worth £1000 and 3500 guineas in gold. While doing so, a county delegate arrived to summon him to a United Irishmen meeting at Bell's public-house on the Curragh.

Read the passage

On the 1 6th of April he was occupied in walling up a closet, which was made in the thickness of the wall of his common sitting-room, and which had evi¬ dently been originally intended as a secure place for depositing valuables. The entire room was newly papered, in order the better to conceal the closet, in which he had deposited his family plate, to the value of about 1000/., together with 3500 guineas in gold, which had been unexpectedly paid to him a few days before, and other valuables. While thus occupied, in company with his cousin, Mr. Thomas Dunn, of Lein¬ ster Lodge, who alone was privy to the concealment, the county delegate belonging to the district of Narrah and Rheban, accompanied by another man whom he did not know, called on him and gave him notice, as if he was still a member of the county committee, to meet that committee at Bell’s public-house on the Curragh of Kildare, on the following day. This he of course refused to do, as he had formally withdrawn from the committee, and would not renew a connexion he had just so happily got rid of. He reminded them that he had joined the society in that county at Lord
1798.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 211

Attack on Mr Dawson's house at Charlesfort

near Charles Fort · monument · Cork · 1798

Another body of insurgents attacked and plundered the house of Mr Dawson of Charlesfort, murdering a man named Willis and wounding Mr Dawson.

Read the passage

At the same time the conduct of the rebels was marked by murder and outrage at every step. One of their first achievements was the attack of Lieutenant Bookey’s house at Rockspring at one o’clock in the morning of the 27th. The only persons in the house when it was attacked were two Protestants, who de¬ fended it with the greatest bravery for several hours : at last the rebels set it on fire, and, as day was break¬ ing they retired, leaving several of their friends dead in and about the house. After they had gone the two men escaped unhurt, but nearly suffocated by the smoke. They next attacked the house of the Rev. Robert Burrowes, of Kyle, murdered him and seven of his parishioners who had taken shelter there, des¬ perately wounded his son, and burnt his house to the ground. His son languished till the summer of 1800, when he died. Another body of insurgents attacked the house of Mr. Dawson, of Charlesfort, which they plundered, after murdering a man of the name of Willis, and wounding Mr. Dawson. They then pro¬ ceeded to the house of the Rev. Francis Turner of Ballingale, rector of Edeermine, which they burned after an obstinate resistance on the part of the inmates. Mr. Turner and nine of his friends were murdered with savage brutality by the rebels after they had
1798.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 271

As the companion tells it

Somewhere about Charles Fort, in 1798, a body of insurgents attacked the house of Mr. Dawson of Charlesfort. They plundered the house, murdering a man named Willis and wounding Mr. Dawson. This was part of a wave of rebel attacks in the area at the time. The same night, at one in the morning of the 27th, rebels attacked Lieutenant Bookey's house at Rockspring. Two Protestants defended it for several hours until the rebels set it on fire. As day broke, the rebels retired, leaving several of their own dead in and about the house. The two defenders escaped unhurt but nearly suffocated by the smoke. The rebels next attacked the Reverend Robert Burrowes of Kyle, murdering him and seven parishioners who had taken shelter there, desperately wounding his son, and burning the house to the ground. His son lingered until the summer of 1800, when he died. After Charlesfort, they proceeded to the house of the Reverend Francis Turner of Ballingale, rector of Edeermine, which they burned after obstinate resistance from the inmates. Mr. Turner and nine of his friends were murdered with savage brutality by the rebels.

Battle of Collooney

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1798

At Collooney the French were attacked by Colonel Verreker with three hundred infantry, thirty light dragoons and two curricle-guns; after an hour's action Verreker retreated, losing his guns to the French.

Read the passage

The French reached Tubbercurry early in the morn¬ ing of the 5th, where they were opposed by Captain O’Hara with a few yeomen. After a short skirmish Captain O’Hara was repulsed, and the enemy pro¬ ceeded to Coloony, where they were attacked by Co¬ lonel Verreker, with three hundred infantry, thirty light dragoons, and two curricle- guns. After an action of about an hour Colonel Verreker was obliged to retreat, leaving his guns in the hands of the French. General Humbert, conceiving this body to be the van¬ guard of a much larger army, instead of proceeding to Sligo, now directed his march by Drummahair towards Manorhamilton, in the county of Leitrim, leaving three six-pounders dismounted on the road, and having thrown five pieces of cannon over the bridge at Drum¬ mahair. At Manorhamilton he turned towards Drumkerin, apparently with the design of reaching Granard, in the county of Longford. Colonel Crawford still kept hanging on his rear, and on the 7th had an en¬ gagement, in which he was repulsed with considerable
1798.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 325

Destruction of Mail-Coaches at Santry and Between Lucan and Leixlip

Santry · townland · Dublin · 1798

As a signal for the rising, mail-coaches on the northern and western roads were destroyed on the night of 23 May 1798, the former at Santry and the latter between Lucan and Leixlip.

Read the passage

The plan laid down by the rebels for the beginning of the insurrection, which was fortunately frustrated by the active measures of the government, was a simul¬ taneous attack on the troops encamped at Laughlinstown, on the artillery at Chapelizod, and on several parts of Dublin, especially on the castle. The signal was to be given to the distant parts of the kingdom by the detention of the coaches on the great roads ; and, as notice of the plan had been circulated through the dif¬ ferent committees, it was expected that the rising would be very general. But, the plot being discovered on the 21st of May, the government were enabled to preserve the peace in Dublin. In the neighbouring counties however, the insurgents obeyed the call of their leaders in considerable numbers. The mail-coaches on the northern and western roads were destroyed on the night of the 23rd of May, the former at Santry, the latter between Lucan and Leixlip ; and, during that night and the following day, the towns of Naas, Clane, Pros¬ perous, Ballymore-Eustace, Kilcullen, Carlow, and Monastereven, were attacked by the rebels. Skir¬ mishes took place also at Rathfarnham, Tallagh, Lu¬ can, Lusk, Dunboyne, Barretstown, Collon, Baltin-
1798.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 262

Dublin United Irishmen Club Formed

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1791

On 9 November 1791, following the Belfast example, a similar club of United Irishmen was formed in Dublin, adopting the resolution declaring 'We have no national government.'

Read the passage

Belfast on the 14th of October, 1791, by Theobald Wolfe Tone, aided by his friend Thomas Russell- The avowed object was to form a union of all parties in Ireland, whether Protestant of the Established Church, Protestant Dissenter, or Roman Catholic, for the pur¬ pose of obtaining, by their joint endeavours, the entire emancipation of the Catholics, and a reform of the Irish House of Commons. The first club consisted of thirtysix members. The Honourable Simon Butler was chairman, and Mr. James Napper Tandy secretary. Among the members were Keogh, William Sinclair, Samuel Neilson, M‘Cabe, and the two brothers Sims. On the 9th of November following a similar club was formed in Dublin, which adopted the resolution which had received the approbation of the parent society in Belfast, that “We have no national government.”
But though the avowed object was thus in harmony with the laws, and though doubtless the greater num¬ ber of the members contemplated nothing beyond what was strictly legal, I feel it necessary to state, and to prove beyond the possibility of doubt, that, from the first hour the society was established, the founders had very different views, and that emancipation and reform were merely pretexts put forward to entice men to join their standard. Mr. Tone himself shall furnish the proof of this. He says that “ in 1789 he made a discovery that the influence of England was the radical vice of the Irish government, and consequently that Ireland would never be either free, prosperous, or happy, until she was independent, and that independence was unat-

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 134

As the companion tells it

As you travel through Dublin, this is the city where, on 9 November 1791, a club of United Irishmen was formed, following the example set in Belfast the previous month by Theobald Wolfe Tone and Thomas Russell. The Belfast club had 36 members, with the Honourable Simon Butler as chairman and James Napper Tandy as secretary, and its avowed aim was to unite Protestants of the Established Church, Protestant Dissenters, and Roman Catholics to seek Catholic emancipation and reform of the Irish House of Commons. The Dublin club adopted the same resolution approved by the Belfast parent society, declaring "We have no national government." Though the stated aims were legal, the author of this account argues that from the very beginning the founders held different views, and that emancipation and reform were merely pretexts to draw people in. Tone himself wrote that in 1789 he had concluded that the influence of England was the radical vice of the Irish government, and that Ireland would never be free, prosperous, or happy until she was independent.

Father John Murphy Captured and Brought to Tullow

Tullow · town · Carlow · 1798

After the engagement near Newbridge, Father John Murphy was taken prisoner and brought to Tullow, the headquarters of Sir James Duff.

Read the passage

On the morning of the 25th Father Murphy found that his numbers were reduced by desertion to between four and five thousand men, and that his hopes of raising an insurrection were vain ; he therefore resolved to return to Wexford. Accordingly he marched that day to Kilcomny, near Newbridge, where he took post on a rising ground, and on the following morning he was attacked on three sides by General Asgill, aided by Major Mathews with five hundred men of the Downshire militia. After an hour’s brisk firing the rebels gave way, and fled towards Scollogh Gap, leaving ten pieces of artillery, seven hundred horses, and all their plunder, to the victorious loyalists. The celebrated Father John Murphy was taken prisoner after this engagement, and brought to Tullow, the
y 2

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 304

First National Battalion Reviewed in Dublin

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1792

Dublin United Irish associates raised a body called the First National Battalion, with distinctive green uniforms and revolutionary symbols, intended to be reviewed by Napper Tandy but banned by proclamation from the lord lieutenant.

Read the passage

They raised a body of men, whom they called tlie First National Battalion. Their uniform was green turned up with white, white waistcoat, and striped trousers, gilt buttons, impressed with a harp, and letters import¬ ing “ First National Battalion no crown, hut over the harp was a cap of liberty upon a pike. This battalion was to have been publicly reviewed by their commander, James Napper Tandy, on the 9th of December, but the lord lieutenant issued a proclamation on the 8th, for¬ bidding all such assemblage, and ordering the magis¬ tracy to employ the garrison troops, if necessary, to prevent it. The leaders resolved, however, to make another effort, and Mr. Archibald Hamilton Rowan signed and published a proclamation* on the 14th of December, inviting the kingdom to arm after the Dungannon example, and to send deputies to Armagh to consider and organize measures for obtaining a redress of grievances. The executive government now found it necessary to take strong and decided measures to stop their revolutionary designs. Mr. Archibald Hamilton Rowan was arrested, tried, condemned, and sentenced to two years imprisonment in Newgate, whence he afterwards contrived to escape and fled to France.
Before we take leave of the year 1792, let us see Avhether Dr. M‘Nevin, who, in his “Pieces of Irish History,” denies the fact of the leaders having secret and traitorous designs at this period, is borne out in his

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 138

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Dublin, this is the city where, in 1792, the United Irish associates raised a body of men they called the First National Battalion. Their uniform was green turned up with white, with a white waistcoat and striped trousers, and gilt buttons pressed with a harp and the words "First National Battalion." Over the harp was a cap of liberty upon a pike. The battalion was to have been publicly reviewed by their commander, James Napper Tandy, on the 9th of December, but the lord lieutenant issued a proclamation on the 8th forbidding any such assemblage and ordering the magistracy to use garrison troops if necessary to prevent it. The leaders made another effort, and Archibald Hamilton Rowan signed and published a proclamation on the 14th of December inviting the kingdom to arm after the Dungannon example and to send deputies to Armagh to organize measures for obtaining a redress of grievances. The government moved to stop these revolutionary designs. Hamilton Rowan was arrested, tried, condemned, and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment in Newgate, from which he afterwards escaped and fled to France.

James Coffey's sworn affidavit at Enniscorthy

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798–1800

James Coffey swore at Enniscorthy in 1800 that he witnessed Andrew Farrell command the murder of Rev. Pentland and the Gills at Vinegar Hill, but that Farrell's influence also saved Coffey's and Captain Blacker's lives.

Read the passage

left for dead : and he further swears, that the said Andrew Farrell, by his influence among the rebels, saved the lives of deponent and of Captain Blacker at the same time and place. “James Coffey.
“ Sworn before me at Enniscorthy, this 25th day of June, 1800.

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0

Lord Edward Fitzgerald meets Reynolds at the Four Courts

Four Courts · site · Dublin · 1797

In November 1797, Reynolds encountered Lord Edward Fitzgerald in the company of Hugh Wilson on the steps of the Four Courts in Dublin, where Lord Edward asked to speak with him on particular business.

Read the passage

In the month of November, 1797, as he was walking in the streets of Dublin, he met Lord Edward Fitzge¬ rald, in company with one Hugh Wilson, on the steps of the Four Courts. Lord Edward’s absence in Ame¬ rica with his regiment, and his subsequent residence upon the Continent, during which he had married the natural daughter of the Duke of Orleans, had prevented that acquaintance between his lordship and my father which had grown up between my father and the other mem¬ bers of the Leinster family, previous to his marriage in 1794. Lord Edward accosted my father, and told him that he wished to speak to him on very particular busi-
184

Internet Archive lifeofthomasreyn01reyn_0, Chapter 176

As the companion tells it

Right here at the Four Courts in Dublin, in November 1797, Thomas Reynolds met Lord Edward Fitzgerald on these steps. Lord Edward was in the company of a man called Hugh Wilson. He stopped Reynolds and told him he wished to speak with him on very particular business. The two men had not known each other well before then. Lord Edward had been away in America with his regiment and had later lived on the Continent, where he married the natural daughter of the Duke of Orleans. That long absence had kept him from the acquaintance with Reynolds that Reynolds had already formed with other members of the Leinster family before his own marriage in 1794.

The life of Thomas Reynolds, Esq. : formerly of Kilkea Castle, in the county of Kildare (vol. 1)

The stories, best first

Thurot lands French force and captures Carrickfergus

Cavalry pursuit and slaughter in the streets of Killala

Lady Crosbie flees Carlow for England after husband's execution

Mr Taylor mistaken for Reynolds and piked near Naas

Perry Disguises as Beggar and Joins Rebels

Plot to Murder Magistrate Thomas Rawson Foiled at Narraghmore

Rebel Attack on Carlow and Reprisal Burnings

Reynolds arrested by Colonel Campbell on informations from his captains

Reynolds Meets Lord Edward Fitzgerald at the Four Courts

Yeomen rout rebels at Kilthomas Hill

Attack on Lieutenant Bookey's house at Rockspring

Colclough taken hostage near Duncannon and ambush of yeomanry

Defender attacks across multiple counties, 1792-93

Execution of Father John Murphy at Tullow

Gibbet erected to hang MP in Dublin riot

Harvey's surrender summons and killing of the messenger at New Ross

Meeting of United Irish leaders fixed at Bond's house

Military free quarters and destruction at Reynolds' house

Miss Keatinge accused of leading rebels at Narraghmore

Protestant Gentry Led Wexford Rebellion

Rebel Attack on Naas Repulsed with Heavy Losses

Rebel defeat at Bunbrusna

Reynolds brought to Athy for court-martial trial

Samuel Neilson Threatens Reynolds Over 'Half-Measures'

Sectarian massacre at Aughrim, Wicklow

Sectarian massacres at Castletown near Gorey

Skirmish at Charlotte Grove

Burning of Carnew and executions of Orangemen

Cavalry Ambushed by Rebels Near Carnew

Founding of the First United Irishmen Club in Belfast

General Asgill Relieves Castlecomer

Imprisonment of rebel leaders in Wexford gaol

Martial Law and Sir Ralph Abercrombie's Manifesto

Massacre of Barclay's Family at Forkhill Cited as Precedent

Meetings with Lord Edward Fitzgerald in Dublin before his arrest attempt

Michael Reynolds Killed Leading Attack at Hacketstown

Mob storms Irish House of Lords in Dublin

Napper Tandy Tried at Lifford Assizes

Peasantry flock to defend Belfast against Thurot

Quarrel near Market Hill sparks Peep-o'-day Boys and Defenders feud

Rebel attack on Granard repulsed

Rebel gatherings at Oulart Hill and Kilthomas Hill

Reynolds warned of assassination plot at Macdonnel's inn

Trial of rebel chief Keugh at Wexford for saving Earl of Kingston

Troops quartered at Kilkea Castle after Bond's house arrests

Wolfe Tone Embarks for America at Belfast

Arrest of Thomas Reynolds at Castle Dermot post-office

Battle near Saintfield against Colonel Stapleton

Butler and Bond Sentenced for Publication Against Committee

Evacuation of Wexford by loyalist forces

Provincial committee to meet at Oliver Bond's house, Bridge Street

Reynolds hides valuables in walled closet at Kilkea Castle

Attack on Mr Dawson's house at Charlesfort

Battle of Collooney

Destruction of Mail-Coaches at Santry and Between Lucan and Leixlip

Dublin United Irishmen Club Formed

Father John Murphy Captured and Brought to Tullow

First National Battalion Reviewed in Dublin

James Coffey's sworn affidavit at Enniscorthy

Lord Edward Fitzgerald meets Reynolds at the Four Courts