Name: Memoirs of the different rebellions in Ireland, from the arrival of the English : also, a particular detail of that which broke out the XXIIId of May, MDCCXCVIII : with the history of the conspiracy which preceded it (vol. 2)
Author: Richard Musgrave (1745 or 1746–1818)

Massacre of prisoners on Wexford Bridge

Wexford Bridge · street · Wexford · 1798

Rebels conveyed parties of prisoners from the gaol and market-house to the bridge in Wexford, where they were piked to death by mobs and thrown into the river; ninety-seven prisoners were massacred before an alarm about Vinegar Hill interrupted the killing.

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" After they had maifacred ninety-fevcn prifoners in that manner, and before they could proceed further in the bufmefs, an exprefs rode up in great hafte, and bid them beat to arms, as Vinegar-hill was befet, and reinforcements were wanting. There was immediately a cry, " To camp ! to camp !'* The rebels leemed in fuch confufion, that the maffacre was difcontinued.
In the moment of confufion, the reverend Mr. Corrin, parifh pried of Wexford, arrived on the bridge, to divert them from their fanguinary defigns, and which, it is laid, he did to the utmoft of his povvcr. Soon after his arrival, he knelt down on the very fpot where the blood had been fpilled, and faid fome prayers. After which the rebels rofe from their knees, and exclaimed, " Come on, boys.^ in the name of God, to the camp ! Thank God, we

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 11

As the companion tells it

Along here on Wexford Bridge, in 1798, rebels brought prisoners from the gaol and market-house and piked them to death, throwing the bodies into the river. They had killed 97 prisoners in this manner when an express rode up in great haste with word that Vinegar Hill was beset and reinforcements were wanting. A cry went up, "To camp, to camp," and in the confusion the massacre was discontinued. The Reverend Mr. Corrin, parish priest of Wexford, arrived on the bridge to divert them from their designs, then knelt down on the very spot where the blood had been spilled and said some prayers. After that the rebels rose and exclaimed, "Come on, boys, in the name of God, to the camp."

Father John Murphy captured, taken to Tullow, and executed

Tullow · town · Carlow · 1798

Father John Murphy, the rebel commander in chief, fled the battlefield and was captured at an alehouse by three yeomen, then led prisoner to Tullow, headquarters of Sir James Duff. He was hanged the same day, his body burnt, and his head fixed on the market-house of Tullow.

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was hanged on the fame day. His body was burnt, and his head was fixed on the market-houfe of Tallow. He was about forty-five years old, h'ght complexioned, bald pated, and about five feet nine inches high : He was well made, uniting ftrength and agility : He was iraicibie, and, when in a pafrion,,had fomewhat the afpect of a tiger. His pix, his oil-flock, and a fmall crucifix were found in his pocket. '
In order to do away in fome degree the flain which his infamous conduct mdght bring on the' Irifh priefthood, it has been fedulouily propagated that he was excommunicated ; but this is abfolutely falfe, for he continued to exercife his clerical function, and was regarded as a pious and learned prieft, till the break-, ing-out of the rebellion j when,

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 57

Execution of General Munroe at Lisburn

near Lisburn · town · Antrim · 1798

Munroe was tried by court-martial at Lisburn and executed opposite his own door; his head was fixed on a pike and displayed on the market-house.

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They were fent under a guard to Lifburn, where Munroe was tried by a court-martial, and executed oppofite to his own door. His head was fixed on a pike, and placed on the market-houfe. Juit before he was fufpended, he faid that he wifhed to fettle an account with a neighbour, to whom he was indebted. He accordingly got a pen and ink, and adjufted it with all the coolnefs of deliberation.
The rebel army at Baliynahinch chiefly confided of prefbyterians, and other denominations of proteftant dflfenters, with few, if any, Roman catholicks, as 2000 of them defer ted the night before the battle, * which inflamed the prefbyterians very much againfl: them.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 70

Fourteen killed when troops fire on Dingle mob

Dingle · townland · Kerry · 1793

Thousands of insurgents entered Dingle armed with guns, pistols, swords, pikes and scythes to swear inhabitants to their cause; when they fired on and stoned soldiers under Mr Mullins, the troops fired back, killing fourteen and wounding many, and the mob fled to sea cliffs ten miles off.

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A fortnight before St. John's day, the twenty-fourth of June, they proclaimed at their chapels, and by notices pofted in all pubUck places, that they would meet in great numbers on that day at Dingle, and carry all their plans into execution. In confequence of their declaration, IVlr. Mullins get feventy foldiers from Limerick, who marched into Dingle the day preceding the intended meet^ ing ; and he gave publick notice that he would oppofs them : However, not deterred by the army, they entered the town in immenfe numbers, armed with guns, piilols, fwords, pikes, and fcythes mounted on poles. Mr. Mullins, defirous to prevent the effufion of blood, remained in the barrack with the troops till three o'clock, though the infurgents were two hours in pofTellion of the town; but when they began to commit adls of violence on the inhabitants, and their houfes, he marched out, when the mob fired on them, and pelted them with ftones ; on which, having ordered the troops to fire, they killed fourteen of the infurgents, and wounded many of them ; after which they dif- ■perfed and fled, and did not flop until they arrived at fome clifts over the fea, which were ten miles off*, and they would not return till they had made peace with the magiflrates. Moft of them gave information one againfl another ; and they fwore that their intention was to have killed all the proteftant gentlemen, and to have confifcated their eftates. It was proved afterwards, that this plot was general in the county of Kerry, and that it extended even to the county of Limerick, for there were perfons ftationed at Tralee, and Tarbert, and in the intervening fpace, ready to convey the event of their attack on Dingle •, that all the inhabitants of that immenfe tra6l of country might have rifen at the fame joioment, and have aO:ed in concert with them. The exemplary punifhment of thefe infurgents has kept the county of Kerry peaceful ever fince ; for though it was organized in 1797, no outrages were committed but in one place. That falutary ad: of feverity probably faved many hundred iives afterv/ards.
APPENDIX, No. IX. 243

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 133

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, in 1793, thousands of armed insurgents entered Dingle to swear the inhabitants to their cause. They had proclaimed at their chapels and by posted notices that they would meet in great numbers on St. John's day, the 24th of June, and carry all their plans into execution. Mr. Mullins got 70 soldiers from Limerick, who marched into Dingle the day before the intended meeting, and he gave public notice that he would oppose them. The insurgents were not deterred. They entered the town in immense numbers, armed with guns, pistols, swords, pikes, and scythes mounted on poles. Mr. Mullins, desirous to prevent the effusion of blood, remained in the barrack with the troops till three o'clock, though the insurgents were two hours in possession of the town. But when they began to commit acts of violence on the inhabitants and their houses, he marched out. The mob fired on the soldiers and pelted them with stones. The troops fired back, killing 14 of the insurgents and wounding many. The crowd dispersed and fled, and did not stop until they arrived at some cliffs over the sea, ten miles off. They would not return till they had made peace with the magistrates. Most of them gave information one against another, and they swore that their intention was to have killed all the protestant gentlemen and to have confiscated their estates. It was proved afterwards that this plot was general in the county of Kerry and extended even to the county of Limerick, with persons stationed at Tralee and Tarbert ready to convey the news so that all the inhabitants of that immense tract of country might have risen at the same moment. The exemplary punishment of these insurgents kept the county of Kerry peaceful for years afterward.

Highland sentinel dies defending the new gaol at Castlebar

Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

A Highland Fraser sentinel guarding the new gaol at Castlebar refused to retreat with his friends, heroically firing five times and killing a Frenchman each time before being killed and thrown down the steps with the sentry box on his body.

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whom his friends had defired to retreat with them ; but he heroically refufed to quit his poft, which was elevated, with fome fleps leading to it. He charged and fired five times iucceffively, and killed a Frenchman at every fliot ; but before he could charge the fixth time, they rufhed on him, beat out his brains, and threw him down the fteps, and the fentry box on his body.
A party of French dragoons purfued our retreating army above a mile from the town, and took a piece of cannon, which they were on the point of turning on our rear ; but a party of lord Roden's fencibles refcued the gun, and killed five of them.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 95

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Castlebar in Mayo, a town that saw fierce fighting in 1798. A Highland Fraser sentinel was guarding the new gaol here when the French came. His friends urged him to retreat with them, but he refused to quit his post, which stood elevated with steps leading up to it. He charged and fired five times, killing a Frenchman with every shot. Before he could charge a sixth time they rushed him, beat out his brains, and threw him down the steps with the sentry box on his body. After that, French dragoons pursued the retreating army over a mile from the town and seized a cannon, but a party of Lord Roden's fencibles rescued the gun and killed five of them.

Keugh's trial and his brother's suicide after Dixon's massacre order

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

At his trial, former Wexford governor Keugh described receiving an order from Roche via Thomas Dixon to execute a hundred more prisoners the morning after ninety-seven had already been killed; his elderly loyalist brother, on hearing this, shot himself in the governor's apartment.

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prevent the eiFufion of blood ; and that they owed their lives to his adive interference. He faid, " That after the maffacre on the evening of the twentieth of June, he w^as fitting in his own houfe, when he received the following meffage from the commander in chief : " Roche, the prieft, by Thomas Dixon ; — that as he was leaving town, on particular bufmefs, he ordered him under pain of death, on the next mcrning before twelve o'clock, to put to death one hundred more of the prifoners * in the fame manner^hat ninety-feven had fuffered that day." He then ftated, that his brother, who had lived many years in his houfe, and had long ferved the king with reputation as an officer, | was as noted for his loyalty as for every moral virtue : That on hearing the fanguinary mandate of Roche, delivered by Dixon, he ordered himfelf to be put to bed, as from feeblenefs and decrepitude he had not been able for many years to move from one place to another. The -next morning he crept, all fours, to the ofovcrnor's apartment, in his abfence, where having tound a cafe of piftcls, he blew out his brains. He was frequently interrupted in the courfe of this doleful narration, by crying and fobbing. He declared that his only objedt was to reform and improve the conftitution ; but that popifh fanaticifm had defeated his defigns, and borne down every thing. He lamented that he had totally negleded the cultivation of the protellant religion, in which he had> been bred ; however, he was attended in his lall moments by a protcitant clergyman. After having prayed devoutly on his knees, he tofe and then prayed aloud and fervently for. the king and the royal family, and that his majefty might long fit upon the throne, and that the conllitution in church and
ftate

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 26

As the companion tells it

As you come through Wexford, this is the town where Keugh stood trial and described what happened here in June 1798. He had been governor of Wexford. At his trial he said that after the massacre on the evening of the twentieth of June, he was sitting in his own house when he received a message from the commander in chief, Roche the priest, brought by Thomas Dixon. Roche was leaving town on particular business, and ordered Keugh, under pain of death, to put to death one hundred more prisoners the next morning before twelve o'clock, in the same manner that ninety-seven had suffered that day. Keugh then told the court about his brother, who had lived many years in his house and had long served the king with reputation as an officer. He was as noted for his loyalty as for every moral virtue. On hearing the mandate from Roche, delivered by Dixon, the brother ordered himself to be put to bed, as from feebleness and decrepitude he had not been able for many years to move from one place to another. The next morning he crept on all fours to the governor's apartment, in Keugh's absence, where having found a case of pistols, he blew out his brains. Keugh was frequently interrupted during this narration by crying and sobbing. He declared that his only object was to reform and improve the constitution, but that popish fanaticism had defeated his designs and borne down everything. He lamented that he had totally neglected the cultivation of the Protestant religion in which he had been bred. He was attended in his last moments by a Protestant clergyman. After having prayed devoutly on his knees, he rose and prayed aloud and fervently for the king and the royal family.

Plan to burn Protestant women and children at Killan church

Killan · townland · Cavan · 1798

Rebels gathered Protestant women and children with intent to burn them in the church, calling it the 'protestant pie'. They were held in an outhouse belonging to Mrs. Kelly until Providence intervened when General Johnson's army drove the rebels from Lackenhill.

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In the former, which lies near the weft fide of the Black-ftair * mountains, the rebels were on^ the point of committing the following barbarous ad : A band of aflaffins were fent out to colled all the proteftant women and chiloren in it, in order to burn them in the church. They drove the vidims into an outhoufe, belonging to a IVJrs. Kelly, within gun-fhot of it, where they were to be kept till they could procure a fufficient number of faggots to accomplifji their horrid defign. The ruffians who were employed in it, frequently called the church the proteftant pie. In this dreadful fituation were thele helplefs and mxiferable women, embracing each other, and preffing to their bofoms, for a laft farewel, their innocent bitbes, when Providence interfered, and faved them in a mo ft miraculous manner. The army commanded - by general Johnfon, in their way to Ennifcorthy, drove the rebels from Lackenhill. One of them, a native of Killar, fled home in great confternation with the news, and added that the king's troops w ere clofe at his heels. The guilty keepers, fearing the juft punifliment of their crimes, forfook their charge and fled. A few, more brutal than the reft, detained twelve of the youngeft girls all night, and forced and dreadfully abufed them. Four of thefe aflafllns v^ere afterwards convided of thefe crimes at Nevvtown-barry, and, by the orders of general Taylor, were executed in the village of Killan, on the twentyeighth ot November, 1798, oppofite to the houfe where they had committed that brutal ad, and not far diftant from the fpot which gave them birth. All thefe circumftances were proved on the trial of thefe jnonfters by the concurrent teftimony of the fuflerers.
Kiichael M'Grath proved, by affidavit, that a few days before the adion at Vinegar-hill, he faw five proteftant girls, viz. Eliza and Hannah Shields, Anne and Hannah Jamts, and Rachael Murphy, all in tears, in cuftody of Chriftopher Drohan and four other men ;

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 36

Death of Father Clinch, Enniscorthy priest, at Vinegar Hill

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

Father Clinch, an Enniscorthy priest of huge stature who fought conspicuously mounted on a white horse, was pursued after the battle by the earl of Roden, wounded, and then shot dead by an officer after firing on Roden; he was found carrying vestments, gold, a watch and a snuff-box.

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Father Clinch, an Ennifcorthy prieft, fell in this engagement. Being of a huge flature, with a fcymitar and broad crofs belts, and mounted on, a large white horfe, with long piftols, he made fo conlpicuous a figure on the hiilj during the action, and the day preceding it, as to attract the notice of our troops, particularly as he feemed to be conftantly employed in reconnoitring them. The earl of Roden having fmgled him out among the fugitives, overtook him alter a mile's purfuit, and received his fire, which his lordfhip returned, and wounded him in the neck. He then difcharged his fecond pifcol at lord Roden^ on which an officer of his regiment rode up and /hot him. He wore his veftments under his clothes ; he had near forty pounds in his pocket, a gold
watch.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 6

Rebel camp attacked and carried at Vinegar Hill

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

General Lake reports that the rebel camp on Vinegar Hill, near Enniscorthy, was attacked at seven o'clock in the morning and carried within an hour and a half, in a combined assault involving several military columns.

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I HAVE the honour to acquaint your lordfhip, for his excellency the lord lieutenant^s information, that the rebel camp, upon Vinegar-hill, was attacked this morning at feven o'clock, and carried in about an hour and a half.
The relative importance of this very ftrong pofitioH with our operations againft Wexford, made it neceflary to combine our attacks fo as to infure fuccefs. A column, tmder major-generaJs Johnfon and Euftace was <lrawn from Rofs, and began the attack upon the town of Ennifcorthy> lituate upon the right bank of the Slaney, clofe under Vinegar-hill upon the right, and rather in the rear of it.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 176

As the companion tells it

Coming up near Vinegar Hill, outside Enniscorthy. In 1798, General Lake reported that the rebel camp here was attacked at 7 o'clock in the morning and carried in about an hour and a half. He called it a very strong position, important enough that several columns were combined to insure success. One column under Major-Generals Johnson and Eustace came from Ross and began the attack on Enniscorthy itself, which sits on the right bank of the Slaney, close under the hill. The whole assault was planned so that no attack would fail for lack of support.

Trial and execution of Mrs Dale's murderers at Naas

Naas · town · Kildare · 1801

Elizabeth Byrne, James Byrne, Mary Dowling and her daughters were tried at the Lent assizes in Naas in 1801 for the murder of Catherine Dale, with child witnesses testifying they killed her because she was a Protestant; the accused were convicted and hanged.

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pai L of it, lie difcovered the mangled body of his mi fortunate wife. It was proved on the trial of Elizabeth Byrne, James Byrne her fon, Mary Dowhng, the wife of captain Dowling, with Winifred and Bllzabeth Dowiing, her daughters, held at Naas, at the Lent affizes, iSoi, for that county, that Mary Dowling had addreHed a number of women who had colleded at her houfe, and informed them, that they muft go murder Catherine Dale, the orange whore. Upon which they aiTembicd a number of boys, nnd, on entering the hcuie, found the deceafed with a prayer-book in her hand. James Byrne knocked her down \vith the churn-flafr j on which Elizabeth Byrne dragged her body out of the houfe into the road, where Hie was floned to death by tlie beys, who were fupplied with ftones for that purpofe by the women. Thefc fad:s were proved by two of the boys, who were thus employed in this barbarous murder. They were, at the time of giving their evidence, not more than fourteen years old ; and, confequently, at the time of the murder, they could have been but eleven. They underwent a long .and flrict crofs-examination, and yet were perfectly confident even in the moft minute circumflances. They were aiked by the learned and humane judge Downes, why they joined in murdering Mrs. Dale and they ^nfwered, becaiife flie was a proteiiant. Their evidence was confirmed by a poor proteltant yeoman, who had cfcaped from the rebels, and lay concealed behind a hedge, and by another man, whom Elizabeth Byrne compelled to bury the body of the deceafed, under a threat of reporting liim as a cowardly rafcal to the rebels, if he dared to refufe. Thefe wretches met the fate which their crimes deferved, having been convi£lcd and hanged.
No. XVI. f.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 138

As the companion tells it

Coming up now is Naas, in Kildare. In 1801, the Lent assizes here heard the case of the people who murdered Catherine Dale. Mary Dowling had gathered women at her house and told them they must go murder Catherine Dale, what the record calls "the orange whore." They brought boys along, and found the deceased with a prayer-book in her hand. James Byrne knocked her down with the churn-staff, and Elizabeth Byrne dragged her body out into the road, where the boys stoned her to death, supplied with stones by the women. Two of those boys gave evidence at the trial. They were no more than 14 years old, so they would have been about 11 at the time of the killing. When the judge Downes asked them why they joined in murdering Mrs. Dale, they answered because she was a Protestant. A Protestant yeoman who had escaped the rebels and hidden behind a hedge confirmed their account, along with a man Elizabeth Byrne forced to bury the body under threat of being reported as a coward to the rebels. Elizabeth Byrne, James Byrne, Mary Dowling, and her daughters Winifred and Elizabeth Dowling were all convicted and hanged.

Captain Chambers bayoneted and abused by rebel women at Castlebar bridge

Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

Captain Chambers fell covered with wounds defending the bridge; a Frenchman drove a bayonet into his mouth in rage at his spirited defense, and rebel women leaped on his body, though he survived severely impaired.

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Captain Chambers fell, covered with wounds ; and when down, a Frenchman, enraged at the fpirited defence which he and his fmall party had made, drove a bayonet into his mouth, and the favage rebel women leaped on his body, and yet he itill furvives ; but fo impaired in his healthy * being completely exhaufted and debilitated by the number of wounds which he received, and the great eifuiion of blood which enfued, as to be but the fhadow of Vv^hat he was : But it is to be hoped, that fome fubftantial rewards will one day await that fignal valour v^^hich he difplayed in the* fervice of hh country, and which renders him an honour to it.
Many of the French officers affiired me, that they never faw guns better ferved or more deftruftive than thofe of our artillery ; and that the adion would have terminated in our favour, if the infantry had ftood their ground, and fupported them - for ten minutes longer.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 95

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Castlebar in Mayo, where in 1798 a desperate fight took place at the bridge. Captain Chambers fell covered with wounds defending it with a small party. When he was down, a Frenchman, enraged at the spirited defence they had made, drove a bayonet into his mouth. Rebel women leaped on his body, yet he survived. He lived on, but so impaired by the number of wounds and the loss of blood that he was, in the words of the source,

Conn and Salter murdered by treacherous former servant

Castlecomer · town · Kilkenny · 1798

Two men, Conn and Salter, having taken refuge in Castlecomer, were later betrayed by Conn's former servant who shot Conn and helped pike both men to death, with Salter's eyes scooped out after burial.

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told them that he would fliew them where their wives . and children were ; when bringing them about two miles from the town, collecling near twenty rebels, and fnatching a gun from his old mailer's hand, he fhot him almoft in the prefence of his wife, and then they piked both him and Salter : They buried them immediately ; the latter not quite dead : They then took the bodies up, fcooped out Salter's eyes, and buried them in a place where they could never fmce be found.
William Bradley, his daughter Catherine Nefbitt, and nephew, David Leycock, going from their houfe on Wednefday the twenty-feventh of June acrofs the hills, in 'order to reach Kilkenny, were purfued by a party of Caftiecomer rebels, robbed and barbaroully murdered : The woman was pregnant.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 54

Defence of Hacketstown barrack and Mc.Ghee's house against rebel siege

Hacketstown · parish · Wicklow · 1798

Rev. James Mc.Ghee and nine Protestants defended a house commanding the barrack at Hacketstown, sheltering Protestant women including general Byrne's own wife, while the town was burned around them; the rebels were repulsed with heavy losses after a day-long engagement.

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The town was foon furrounded by a prodigious number of pikemen, who fet fire to it in different quarters, and one thoufand and fifty mufketeers commenced a heavy fire on it. In about two hours the whole town, except the barrack and two houfes more, was in flames, which prefented a dreadful fcene, the horrors of wluch were much heightened by the incefiant fire which the rebels maintained, and "the very thick fmoke in which the town uas involved, and which entered even into the houfe, fo that itg defenders could fcarcely fee each other. About one o'clock the houfes fell in, and a wind having fprung •up which difperfed the fmoke, they were able again to fee the rebels ; who finding that they could not fet fire to the barrack, which was ably defended by captain Chamney, without having burnt the houfe in which Mr. Mc. Ghee kept garrifon, they relinquifned the former, and approached the latter in great numbers, and with dreadful yells, crying, " Liberty or Death !" Having their colours flying, and founding their bugle-horns, they pufhed cars before them with feather beds in them as breaft-works, to cover their
E 2 approach.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 33

Lord O'Neil mortally wounded near Antrim during retreat

near Antrim · town · Antrim · 1798

While trying to advance on his wounded horse, Lord O'Neil was knocked down by a pikeman and mortally wounded within thirty yards of the yeomanry positioned behind the wall in Antrim.

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Lord O'Neil, while endeavouring to get his horfe forward, w^as knocked down by a pikeman, and then mortally wounded, within thirty yards of the yeomanry behind the wall. His lordfhip fhot one of the men who attacked him, and the yeomanry two more ; but the man who had given him the mortal wound efcaped.
On the retreat of the dragoons, the rebels, fluftied with fuccefs, ruflied on with a horrid yell, and feized the curricle guns ; but every man of that party was killed by the yeomen, and the remainder retreated into the houfes and by-lanes of the tov/n. On that, Mr. John Macartney, "* lieutenant of the Antrim yeomanry, ailifted by his brother, Mr. Arthur Ma-

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 63

Massacre at Prosperous during the 1798 rising

Prosperous · town · Kildare · 1798

A large body of pikemen and armed rebels attacked the barracks at Prosperous, setting it alight and killing soldiers as it burned. Rebels then went through the town massacring loyal Protestant inhabitants including Stamers and Mr. Brewer, and shouted about the tree of liberty and the fall of Dublin and Naas.

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clofc to his head,) he withdrew, and let down the window; that foon after cxaminant faw the barracks on fire, and heard tire foldiers exclaim, " The lioufe is on fire : We (hall be burned or futFocated : We can fight no longer !" That foon afteir examinant faw the roof of faid barrack fall in. Examinant faith, that the faid rebels, whofe numbers had encrcafed fo much as to fill the ftreets of Profperous afofefaid, and to cover the adjacent fields, on the falling in of the roof of faid barrack, gave maily fhouts, which feemed to rend the fkies, and made this examinant and his family thrill with horror j that the faid rebels exclaimed, that the day was their own, and they v.^ould then plant the tree of liberty. Examinant faith, that the fiiid rebels knocked at hi§ door, and defired to have it opened, expe6i:ing to find there a party of foldiers, who had been biilett-d there a fhort time before, and Mr. Stamers, w^ho had lodged therein when he went to receive his rents, as part of the town of Profperous aforefaid belonged to the faid Stamers. Examinant faith, that as the faid rebels approached his houfc in a large body, fix of them preceded the reft, mounted on fome ojf the horfes which they had taken that morning from the Ancient Britons at Profperous aforefiiid •, that examinant, as foon as he came out of his door, was furrounded by a party of the faid rebels, who prefented their pikes at him, and who he expecied, from the ferocity of their looks, would inftantly have put him to death \ that one of faid rebels held a mufket at examinant's breaft, with his finger on the trigger ; that another of the faid rebels, who was a turf cutter, held a drawn fword over examinant's head ; and cxaminant verily believes, they vv^ould have inftantly put him to death, but a young man in the crowd, who feemed to have fome influence, interpofed, beat down the mulket which was prefented at his breaft, and faid, they fhould not kill him. Examinant faith, that he knew many of the faid rebels to whom he and his family had been very kind ; that foon after the faid rebels went in queft of the faid Stamers, who lodged at fome diftance f<^m the faid town ; that having feized him, the faid Stamers, they led him through the ftreet, by examinant's houfe, furrounded l|(r*a number of pikemen, while a low fellow held a piftol at his head. Examinant fiiith, that as he pafied by the houfc of examinant, he, the faid Stamers, caft a melancholy farewell look at examinant and his family ; that foon after the faid reb:l3 maf/acrsd the faid Stamers. Examinant faith,

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 137

Massacre of Protestant prisoners at Vinegar Hill rebel camp

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

Benjamin Warren, taken prisoner at Kilcormuck, was brought to the rebel camp on Vinegar-hill and put into the walls of an old mill with other Protestant prisoners. He was repeatedly stabbed with pikes for being a Protestant, and thirteen other Protestants were piked to death nearby, with reports of twenty-four Protestants shot or piked that day.

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:iaid ; that on the arrival of this informant at faid rebel -camp, they put him into the walls of an old mill, where there were many other proteftant prifoners ; informant faith, that half an hour after the faid rebels led out informant to put him to death, for no other reafon than becaufe he was a proteftant. Informant faith, that the faid rebels afked him, in what religion he would die ? when informant anfwered, he would die a proteftant as he had been bred fuch. Informant faith, that the faid rebels then faid to informant, «< You bloody orange thief, you are damned, and will go to hell the inftant we put the breath out of you." Informant faith, the rebels thereon gave him feveral ftabs of pikes in the body and neck, and that while fome of the faid jrebels were wounding informant, others were engaged in -tearing off, with great vehemence, the clothes of informant. Informant faith, that he fuffered the moft excru- :ciating pain from his wounds, and was fo exhaufted by the. lofs of blood, that he lay motionlefs and fpeechlefs for fome ihours. Informant faith, that faid rebels led out foon after thirteen proteftants, whom they put to death with pikes one after the other in the faid rebel camp, and that the body of one of the faid proteftants fell on this informant, which put him to very great pain, and almoft extinguiftied what little remains of life there were in him. Informant faith, ihat next morning, . finding he had ftrength enough to creep lall-fours, he crept to the gripe of a ditch near the road, where he remained till it v/as dark, and then informant con*, trivcd to make his efcape. Informant faith, he heard, and which he verily believes to be true, that the rebels (hot, or butchered with pikes, twenty-four proteftants on the faid 4ay on Vinegar-hill aforefaid. Informant faith, that father Murphy, parifh prieft of Kilcormuck aforefaid, v/as conv mander in chief in faid rebel camp, and that this informant applied to the faid Murphy to fave his life, but that faid Murphy replied, he would not interfere about him, as he was going to take Wexford, and that he would leave them, (meaning the rebels) to do as they pleafed with them. Informant faith, that the faid father Murphy was the firft perfon who promoted an infurre61:ion in the county where he lived ; and that, on Saturday the twenty-fixth, and Sunday the twenty-feventh of May laft, he, at the head of a rebel fnob, caufed all the proteftant houfes in the faid parifti of liikormuck to be burned, except three or four which were

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 149

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Vinegar Hill, where in 1798 a rebel camp held Protestant prisoners taken during the Wexford rising. One of them was Benjamin Warren, seized at Kilcormuck and locked in the walls of an old mill with many others. The rebels led him out half an hour later to kill him, for no reason except that he was a Protestant. They asked him in what religion he would die, and he answered he would die a Protestant as he had been bred. They called him a bloody orange thief, damned and bound for hell, and stabbed him with pikes in the body and neck while others tore the clothes off him. He lay speechless for hours, soaked in blood. Thirteen other Protestants were piked to death one after another nearby, and one of their bodies fell across Warren, almost extinguishing what life he had left. By morning he found strength to crawl on all fours to a ditch by the road, and escaped in the dark. He heard, and believed, that 24 Protestants were shot or piked on Vinegar Hill that day. Father Murphy, parish priest of Kilcormuck, was commander in chief of the camp. Warren appealed to him to save his life, but Murphy said he would not interfere, as he was going to take Wexford, and would leave the rebels to do as they pleased.

Murder of John White and others buried alive on Vinegar Hill

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

Nicholas Walsh compelled George Freeman to shoot John White, a magistrate, and ordered several more Protestants killed with pikes on Vinegar Hill; some victims were buried while still alive and Walsh stabbed them with pikes in the grave.

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George Freeman, a proteftant, and a pTifoner, proved that Nicholas Walfh, who headed a party of rebeb at Vinegar-hill, compelled him to flioot John White, efquire, an aged gentleman, and a magiflrate •, and the fame day he ordered five or fix more proteflants to be put to death with pikes on Vinegar-hill, and to be buried in a hole j and as fome of them had life in them at the time of interment, Nicholas Walfh ftabbed them with pikes, and cut down one of the prifoners with his fword.
As foon as the prifoners were put to death, he ordered his rebel corps to fhout aloud, and to go olF in quefl of more proteflants.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 156

As the companion tells it

As you come near Vinegar Hill, that rising ground in Wexford, this was a killing ground in the summer of 1798. Nicholas Walsh led a rebel party here and forced a Protestant prisoner named George Freeman to shoot John White, an aged magistrate. That same day Walsh ordered five or six more Protestants killed with pikes and buried in a pit. Some were still alive when they were buried, and Walsh stabbed them with pikes in the grave and cut down another prisoner with his sword. When it was done he had his men shout aloud and go off hunting for more Protestants.

Murder of Mr Heyden near Lett's house in Enniscorthy

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

Near Lett's house in Enniscorthy, Mr and Mrs Heyden begged father Sutton's protection but he refused; Mr Heyden was then murdered by the rebel mob in Sutton's presence while his wife leaned on his arm.

Read the passage

AT a (liort dlflance from Lett's houfe in Ennifcorthy, Mr. and Mrs. Heyden met father Sutton, and implored his protection ; but he faid, that he could not do any thing for them : and foon after Mr. Heyden, while his wife leant on his arm, was murdered by the barbarous popifh rabble iri the prefence of, and quite clofe to, the reverend John Sutton, who made no other oppofition to them, than by faying, ** Fie ! Fie!"* James Beaghan, one of the fuppofed murderers of Mr. Heyden, was taken up and tried, at the inftance of Mr. Sutton, who profecuted him to convitlion ; but not for eleven or twelve months after its perpetration. It is very extraordinary that this reverend gentlemen fliould conceal, fo long, the i]^uilt of the afladin ; and that a fenfe of his duty towards God and his country, did not prompt him fooner to bring the delinquent to condign punifhment.
From the following fact we may fairly infer, that he was actuated rather by a fenfe of fear than juftice :

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 191

Murder of Reverend Samuel Heydon in Enniscorthy street

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

Rev. Samuel Heydon, sheltering at Stephen Lett's house in Enniscorthy, sought protection from a priest but was attacked by rebels in the street, his cheek laid open by a pike, and beaten to death, his head dashed against the stones until he expired in his wife's arms.

Read the passage

tocls who became riotous, and joftled examinant, and her hufband j on which faid Sutton cried out to faid rebels, " Fie ! fie !" but aflbrded them no other proteclion, at which time this examinant perceived blood running from the nofc of her faid hufband ; and that his clieek was laid open by a pike, as examinant believes. Examinant faith, that fcon after he ftaggered and fell to the ground, with this examinant, wlio kept her arms about him ; that thereupon the faid rebels daihed his head feveral times againft the flones, for the purpofe of extinguifliing what life remained in him ; that he foon after groaned and expired in this examinant's arms, during which time this examinant, and after, received from them feveral blows on the back j that faid rebels thereupon took from faid Heydon his v/atch, money, and pocket-book, containing feveral bank notes, the amount of which this examinant knows not, but believes faid pocket-book contained the amount of his whole property, both in money and bank notes. This examinant further depofeth, that foon after, a ferocious rebel dragged this examinant by lier arm down a fteep hill v/ith great violence, and over the bridge, and to the water fide, ufmg at the fame time very infulting and opprobrious language, and alked examinant if fhe would go to mafs, and damned examinant for a bitch j faid, *fhe was always an enemy to the Roman calholicks j and afked examinant why fhe had left her houfe ; faid, they (meaning the faid rebels) had fettled it this morning ; and faid rebel declared, he would take examinant to the camp at Vinegar-hill, though faid rebel was dragging examinant a contrary w^ay. Examinant further depofeth, that fhe called cut for help, when a rebel, unknown to examinant, refcued examinant, and conveyed examinant to the houfe of one Walfh a rebel captain, who had been that morning liberated out of prifon. Examinant faith, that foon after (he arrived at faid houfe, her aunt, a lady aged eighty-one years, or thereabouts, was brought there by her fervant maid, after having been robbed of her ready money, and all her worldly fubitance, which (he by her will bequeathed to this examinant to a confiderable amount. Examinant depofeth^ that during ten days fhe refided at faid AValfii's houfe, fii? fuffered very much from poverty, filth, and the fociety of the mod profligate wretches, who confcantly uttered treafon and blafphemy, and often hintqd that exair»inant had tetter go to mafs j and faid Walfh, and his wife, informed

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 150

Mutilation and burial alive of William Abraham near Ballyconra

Ballyconra · townland · Kilkenny · 1774

William Abraham of Boherecrod was violently abducted from his home by whiteboys disguised in white frocks, beaten, mutilated by having his ears cut off, and buried alive up to his chin in a grave lined with furze near Ballyconra.

Read the passage

"William Abraham, of Boherecrd in the Queen's county, a farmer, and of the proteilant religion, fwore the following examination before Edward Ledwich, clerk, and juftice of peace for faid county, on the twenty-feventh of De~ cernber, 1774 : That a report had prevailed fome time that the white boys intended to carry off examiuant the night of the fifteenth inftant ; that a party of them, blowing horns, and armed with mufkets, and drefled in white frocks and lliirts, entered his houfe, and put him behind one of them on horfeback ; that his wife, endeavouring to prevent their doing fo, received a ftroke of a mufket in the fmall of the back. That before examinant was mounted, they gave him a violent blov/ in the head with the lock and hammer of a gun, which inflifted a deep wound thereon, and rendered him ftupid and lenfelefs ; they carried him off mounted behind one of them, with only his breeches, and a loofe great coat on ; that in their progrefs, they beat, battered, and abufed him with their guns, and the man behind whom he rode, wounded him feverely in the legs with long nails in his heels, commonly called heel fpurs \ they carried him ten miles oiF to a place near Ballyconra, where they held a confultation, whether they fhould cut out his tongue, or pull out his eyes ; and at lafl: agreed to cut off his ears, which they did with circumftances of great barbarity •, that after having adminiftered to him many unlawful oaths, they buried him up to his chin, though mangled in a deplorable way, in a grave lined with furze.
No. II.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 128

Order to bring out prisoners at Wexford gaol

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Thomas Dixon, mariner, rode to the Wexford gaol mounted on a white horse accompanied by a man bearing a black flag, and ordered the prisoners brought out to be shot and their bodies piled against the gaol's dead wall, marking the start of the massacre.

Read the passage

Jofeph Gladwin, the gaoler, declares, that Thomas Dixort, mariner, went down to the gaol about the hour of two o'clock, mounted on a large white horfe, and that a man walked by his lide, bearing a black flag ; that when he came to the Bridewell door, he faid, " Bring out the prifoners ; and, as they are (hot, we 'Will pile them againfl: the dead wall of the gaol.'*
I (hall give the reader an account of this tragical affai) , as related to me by fome refpeclable perfon^ who refided in Mr. Hatchel's houfe, * very tiear the bridge, where it was perpetrated^ and were eyewitnelfes to it.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 10

As the companion tells it

Coming up now is Wexford town. In 1798 this was where a massacre began outside the gaol. Thomas Dixon, a mariner, rode down to the gaol about two o'clock mounted on a large white horse, with a man walking beside him bearing a black flag. At the Bridewell door he gave the order: bring out the prisoners, and as they are shot, we will pile them against the dead wall of the gaol. People in a house near the bridge were eye witnesses to what followed.

Prisoners threatened with execution in Wexford gaol

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Sheppard was taken to Wexford and imprisoned; he was brought into a small square in the gaol to be shot but was spared when a priest, John Murphy, intervened, declaring he had longer days to live.

Read the passage

mltted to different apartments* Examinant faith, t'hat while a prifoner at Wexford, he was taken out into a finall fquare in the goal to be fhot, and that on being placed againft a wall in faid fquare, they the faid rebels burned priming four times at examinant with a muPivet on which father John Murphy ^ a prieft, who had entered the faid goal, cried out aioud> that he this examinant had longer days to live ; and at the fame time, the faid priefi faid. Let the heathen go back to prifon, and be damned.'' Examinant faith," that while he and his comrades were in . prifon, the rebel guards who were placed over them, frequently attempted to break open th^ doors of the place where they were confined, with an intent, as the faid rebel guards declared, to murder examinant and his comrades, having often declared that they would not ftand as guards over hereticks*, and that the officers of the faid rebels with the greatefb difficulty prevented the faid rebels from putting them to death. Examinant faith, that during ten days that ' he and his comrades were confined in Wexford, they received no other food but potatoes and water ; and of which they got but one meal in twenty-four hours. Examinant faith, that during his confinem/snt, the faid rebels took out many prifoners to execute them 5 and examinant verily believes they were put to death, as the fiiid prifoners never returned to the prifon ; and he this exaniinant was informed .that they hiid been fhot or put to death with pikes in the Bullring, or in fome other part of the town. Examinant faith, that he and his comrades were afl;ed to ferve in the rebel army by one captain Dixon, and by ojie Ro^he the brother-in-law of faid Dixon, who wore twc \./.*4^!^ttes, and pafled for a rebel general *, and that faid Dixon and Roche promifed examinant and his comrades commiffions in the rebel army, and eftates in fome time, if they would ferve m faid army. Examinant faith, that he and his comrades, well knowing that they had no other way of making their efdapc from Wexford, complied w4th the defire of faid Dixon, and the faid Roche. Examinant faith, that he, and three of his comrades were ccndufted by the faid rebel general Roche to the rebel camp of Gorey, near the town of Gorey, in the county of Wexford, on or about the eleventh day of June laft, where examinant found three of his faid comrades before him in faid camp, and fome foldiers of the Meath and Antrim regiments who had been taken prifoners. Exaiuinant faith, that on th<i morning of the day that the h\d

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 157

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, this is the town where in 1798 prisoners were held in the gaol and threatened with execution. A man called Sheppard was brought here and imprisoned. He was taken out into a small square in the gaol to be shot, placed against a wall. The rebels burned priming four times at him with a musket. Then a priest, Father John Murphy, who had entered the gaol, cried out aloud that Sheppard had longer days to live. The priest said, "Let the heathen go back to prison, and be damned." Sheppard was spared. While he and his comrades were confined, the rebel guards placed over them frequently tried to break open the doors, intending to murder them. The guards declared they would not stand as guards over heretics. The rebel officers prevented them with the greatest difficulty. During ten days of confinement in Wexford, they received no food but potatoes and water, and only one meal in twenty-four hours. The rebels took out many prisoners to execute them. Those prisoners never returned. Sheppard was told they had been shot or put to death with pikes in the Bullring, or in some other part of the town. A captain Dixon and one Rohe, the brother-in-law of Dixon, who wore two cockades and passed for a rebel general, asked Sheppard and his comrades to serve in the rebel army. They promised them commissions and estates. Sheppard and his comrades, knowing they had no other way of making their escape from Wexford, agreed. Roche conducted Sheppard and three of his comrades to the rebel camp of Gorey, near the town of Gorey in the county of Wexford, on or about the 11th day of June. There he found three of his comrades already in the camp, and some soldiers of the Meath and Antrim regiments who had been taken prisoners.

Twelve girls abused overnight by rebels at Killan

Killan · townland · Cavan · 1798

A few rebel keepers detained twelve of the youngest girls overnight and forced and abused them. Four of these assailants were later convicted at Newtownbarry and executed at Killan by order of General Taylor.

Read the passage

In the former, which lies near the weft fide of the Black-ftair * mountains, the rebels were on^ the point of committing the following barbarous ad : A band of aflaffins were fent out to colled all the proteftant women and chiloren in it, in order to burn them in the church. They drove the vidims into an outhoufe, belonging to a IVJrs. Kelly, within gun-fhot of it, where they were to be kept till they could procure a fufficient number of faggots to accomplifji their horrid defign. The ruffians who were employed in it, frequently called the church the proteftant pie. In this dreadful fituation were thele helplefs and mxiferable women, embracing each other, and preffing to their bofoms, for a laft farewel, their innocent bitbes, when Providence interfered, and faved them in a mo ft miraculous manner. The army commanded - by general Johnfon, in their way to Ennifcorthy, drove the rebels from Lackenhill. One of them, a native of Killar, fled home in great confternation with the news, and added that the king's troops w ere clofe at his heels. The guilty keepers, fearing the juft punifliment of their crimes, forfook their charge and fled. A few, more brutal than the reft, detained twelve of the youngeft girls all night, and forced and dreadfully abufed them. Four of thefe aflafllns v^ere afterwards convided of thefe crimes at Nevvtown-barry, and, by the orders of general Taylor, were executed in the village of Killan, on the twentyeighth ot November, 1798, oppofite to the houfe where they had committed that brutal ad, and not far diftant from the fpot which gave them birth. All thefe circumftances were proved on the trial of thefe jnonfters by the concurrent teftimony of the fuflerers.
Kiichael M'Grath proved, by affidavit, that a few days before the adion at Vinegar-hill, he faw five proteftant girls, viz. Eliza and Hannah Shields, Anne and Hannah Jamts, and Rachael Murphy, all in tears, in cuftody of Chriftopher Drohan and four other men ;

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 36

Capture of Munroe near Ballynahinch

near Hillsborough · town · Down · 1798

General Munroe fled toward the mountains and was found hiding in a potato furrow about six miles from Ballynahinch by three Orangemen, who resisted his bribe of forty guineas and brought him to Hillsborough.

Read the passage

Munroe fled towards the mountains without any guard or efcort, and was afterwards accidentally difcovered and taken by three orangemen, as he lay concealed in a potatoe furrow, under fome litter, in an open field, about fix miles from Ballynahinch. He oii'ered them forty guineas to let him clcape ; but the loyalty of his captors was not to be corrupted. They brought him to Hillfborough, together with a yoiuig man of the name of Kane, taken with him in the fame furrow, and who was formerly employed as a cjerk in the office of the Belfalt Northern Star.
% \ 2 They

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 69

Execution of four assailants at Killan village

Killan · townland · Cavan · 1798

Four rebels convicted of abusing the girls were executed in the village of Killan on 28 November 1798, opposite the house where they had committed the crime and near where they were born.

Read the passage

In the former, which lies near the weft fide of the Black-ftair * mountains, the rebels were on^ the point of committing the following barbarous ad : A band of aflaffins were fent out to colled all the proteftant women and chiloren in it, in order to burn them in the church. They drove the vidims into an outhoufe, belonging to a IVJrs. Kelly, within gun-fhot of it, where they were to be kept till they could procure a fufficient number of faggots to accomplifji their horrid defign. The ruffians who were employed in it, frequently called the church the proteftant pie. In this dreadful fituation were thele helplefs and mxiferable women, embracing each other, and preffing to their bofoms, for a laft farewel, their innocent bitbes, when Providence interfered, and faved them in a mo ft miraculous manner. The army commanded - by general Johnfon, in their way to Ennifcorthy, drove the rebels from Lackenhill. One of them, a native of Killar, fled home in great confternation with the news, and added that the king's troops w ere clofe at his heels. The guilty keepers, fearing the juft punifliment of their crimes, forfook their charge and fled. A few, more brutal than the reft, detained twelve of the youngeft girls all night, and forced and dreadfully abufed them. Four of thefe aflafllns v^ere afterwards convided of thefe crimes at Nevvtown-barry, and, by the orders of general Taylor, were executed in the village of Killan, on the twentyeighth ot November, 1798, oppofite to the houfe where they had committed that brutal ad, and not far diftant from the fpot which gave them birth. All thefe circumftances were proved on the trial of thefe jnonfters by the concurrent teftimony of the fuflerers.
Kiichael M'Grath proved, by affidavit, that a few days before the adion at Vinegar-hill, he faw five proteftant girls, viz. Eliza and Hannah Shields, Anne and Hannah Jamts, and Rachael Murphy, all in tears, in cuftody of Chriftopher Drohan and four other men ;

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 36

Father Corrin intervenes to halt the massacre

Wexford Bridge · street · Wexford · 1798

Reverend Mr Corrin, parish priest of Wexford, arrived on the bridge during the confusion caused by the alarm about Vinegar Hill and knelt down on the blood-stained spot to say prayers, after which the rebels departed for camp.

Read the passage

In the moment of confufion, the reverend Mr. Corrin, parifh pried of Wexford, arrived on the bridge, to divert them from their fanguinary defigns, and which, it is laid, he did to the utmoft of his povvcr. Soon after his arrival, he knelt down on the very fpot where the blood had been fpilled, and faid fome prayers. After which the rebels rofe from their knees, and exclaimed, " Come on, boys.^ in the name of God, to the camp ! Thank God, we
Vol. II. C have

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 11

As the companion tells it

Along here on Wexford Bridge in 1798, the parish priest of Wexford, Reverend Mr Corrin, arrived in the middle of confusion caused by the alarm about Vinegar Hill. He tried to turn the people from what the source calls their sanguinary designs. He knelt down on the very spot where blood had been spilled and said some prayers. After that, the rebels rose from their knees and called out, "Come on, boys, in the name of God, to the camp."

General Moore's entry into Wexford prevents massacre

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Brigadier-general Moore entered Wexford so opportunely that he prevented the town from being burned and stopped the planned massacre of remaining prisoners, which the rebels had intended to carry out the next day, following the murder of over seventy prisoners the day before.

Read the passage

« YESTERDAY afternoon I had the honour to difpatch a letter to your lordfliip from Ennifcorthy, with the tranfac^ions of the day, for his excellency the lord lieutenant's information \ and the enclofed copy of a letter from brigadier-general Moore, to major-general Johnfon, will account for my having entered this place without oppofition. General Moore, with his ufual enterprize and activity, pufhsd on to this town, and entered it fo opportunely as to prevent it from being laid in afhits, and the malTacre of the remaining prlloners, which the rebels declared their Intention of carrying into execution the very next day •, ani: there can be little doubt it would have taken place^ for the
44^ A P P E N D I X, No. XXI. 2.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 176

As the companion tells it

As you come through Wexford, this is the town that in 1798 narrowly escaped destruction. The day before, rebels had murdered over 70 prisoners here. They declared their intention to massacre the remaining prisoners the very next day. Brigadier-general Moore pushed on to Wexford and entered it so opportunely that he prevented it from being burned and stopped that massacre from taking place.

Arthur Williams captured and later murdered at the Ridge

Doonane · townland · Laois · 1798

Arthur Williams was taken prisoner in Mr. Kane's house at Castlecomer, brought to the church for trial, then taken by rebels toward Doonane and the Ridge where he was piked and shot in the face while praying.

Read the passage

The Downihire militia from Maryborough appearing at a diftance, the whole rebel army moved off about feven o'clock in the evening (Sunday) to Doonane, and thence to the Ridge, bringing Williams along with them. Here they put him on his knees, and in the act of prayer, they run him through with pikes, and then (hot his face almod off. This happened on Monday morning ; his wife could not find him till Saturday after, when fhe difcovercd him in a lonely part of the mountain, two miles off the road, fo disfigured, that fhe could fcarcely recognife him : He was not an orangeman.
Two men J of the name of Conn and Salter, having taken refuge in Cafllecomer the night before the dttack, brought their families with them. In the buille and confufion of the engagement they were feparated from their wives and children : When the adion was over, anxioufly looking for their families, they met a man who had been a Servant for many years to the former (Conn), who

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 53

Bishop Bedell's funeral honoured by rebels in Kilmore

Kilmore · townland · Cavan · 1641

Bishop Bedell of Kilmore and Ardagh was so respected for his charity that even in the heat of the 1641 rebellion, rebel chiefs collected their forces and accompanied his body to the grave with great solemnity, firing a volley at his interment.

Read the passage

This great man's humane and charitable difpofition, and his benericent virtues, fo far overcame the fanaticifm and the intolerant principles of the natives, and kindled fuch love and gratitude in them towards him, that they paid lingular marks of honour and afre^tion to his remains at his funeral, even in the heat of the rebellion, though they regarded him as a hcretick. The chiefs of the rebels col^ icdted their forces, accompanied his body to the grave wiih great folemnity, and difcharged a volley at his interment, ciying out in Latin, quiefcat in pace ultimus Anglorum. While bifnop Bedell was labouring with fo much zeal, the convocation Which met in Dublin in 1634 took the converfion of the Iriih into confideration, and made feveral canons, which contained rules hmilar to what that prelate had pra£tifed.
The great rebellion, which broke oiit in 164 J, defeated thofe ufeful defigns, and the excellent inftitutions which had been formed for the converfion of the natives.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 182

Black flag raised on Custom House Quay, Wexford

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

On the morning of 20 June, rebels bearing a black flag inscribed with a cross and the letters M W S paraded through Wexford before fixing the flag on the Custom House Quay near the bridge, where it flew for about two hours before the massacre of prisoners began.

Read the passage

" Between the hours of ten and eleven o'clock oii the morning of the twentieth of June, we faw a body of rebels coming over the bridge, bearing a black iiag, with a crofs, and the letters M W S infcribed on it in white ; which were fuppofed to mean murder without fm ; and on the other fide a red crofs, After having made a proceffion through part of the town, they fixed that woeful harbinger of death on. the cuftom-houfe quay, near the fatal fpot where fo much blood was foon after fhed ; and where it remained flying for about two hours before the but-* chery began. |
" Soon after they arrived on the quay, they feemed to difperfe ; however many of them remained there, and repaired to one particular place, where drink was given to them, and where a prieft was very bufy in diftributing it^ and who, they beheved^

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 10

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, you are near the ground where, on the morning of 20 June 1798, rebels came over the bridge bearing a black flag marked with a cross and the letters MWS in white, thought to mean murder without sin. They processed through part of the town, then fixed that flag on the Custom House Quay, near the bridge. It flew there for about two hours before the massacre of prisoners began. After reaching the quay many of the rebels seemed to disperse, but others stayed and gathered at a particular place where drink was given out and a priest was busy distributing it.

Burning of Nickson's house at Coolkenno and murder of postillion

Coolkenna · townland · Wicklow · 1798

The house of Lorenzo Nickson at Coolkenno was burned by rebels, who first had his dying postillion carried out by two women and shot him in front of his wife.

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George Driver, of Tinnehaly, all of the proteflant religion, and whom they inhumanly butchered and put to death with pikes, on the hill of Boulamorogue, in faid county, for no other reafon than becaufe they were proteftants. Informant faith, that the bodies of the faid perfons were fo mangled and butchered, that their friends were obliged to convey them to the place of burial fwathed in linen clothes. Informant faith, that about three weeks ago, a party of faid rebels went to the houfe of Jofeph Faris, of Crownafkeagh, in the county of Carlow,farmer, who lay fick in bed with a violent fever j and tliat the faid rebels took the faid Jofeph Faris out of his bed, and fhot him at the end of his own houfe, which they burned to afhes. — Inform.ant faith, that the faid rebels, about the fame time, anaflinated Thomas Mathers, of Crownafkeagh aforefaid, farmer : And he, this informant, verily believes, that the faid rebels murdered the faid Faris; and the faid Mathers, for no other reafon than becaufe they were proteftants, vvho they, without exception, denominated orangemen ; and informant" further faith, that the faid rebels, never to this informant's knowledge, injured the houfe or property of any Roman catholick, refident in any of the aforefaid places. Informant faith, that a numerous body of rebels burned, on the twenty-fourth of July lall, the houfes of twenty-three proteftants, af Lany and Johnftown, in the county of Carlow, and at BallydufF in faid county, and at Ahold, Coolkenno, Killybeg,; and Gold, in the county of Wicklow ; inform.ant faith, that the houfe of Lorenzo Nickfon, efquire, at Coolkenno afcrrfaid, was among the houfes fo burned ; and that the faid rebels, previous to the burning of the fame, had the poftiilion of die faid Lorenzo Nickfon, who was dying in a confumption, brought out from faid houfe by two women, and that the faid rebels fliot the faid poftillion in prefence of his wife. Informant faith, that about a fortnight, previous to the date hereof, a party of rebels went to the houfe of Robert Davis, a farmer, ' and of the proteftant religion, and refident v/ithin half a mile of Tullow, in the couniy of Carlow, and ftiot the faid Davis in his houfe, at a late hour in the night ; and tliat the faid rebels compelled a daughter of the faid Davis, who did not exceed the age of ten years, to hold a candle while they fhot her father j and that faid rebels burned a biblf^, the property of the faid Davis. Inlormantfaith, that Ephraim Sin-^leton, farmer, and of the proteftant religion, was murdered by the faid rebels at Coolroe, near Clonegal, in the county of Carlow, about a fortnight ago, and that they robbed him at the fame time of 'a con-

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 135

Defense of the turret at Clonard by Lieutenant Tyrrell's yeomen

Clonard · town · Meath · 1798

Lieutenant Tyrrell mustered only twenty-seven men, including three of his own sons, and stationed defenders in a turret commanding the road, successfully repelling the initial rebel cavalry charge and killing their leader Farrell.

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Though lieutenant Tyrrell had never adled in any military capacity, the coolnefs, the (kill, the good fenfe, and energy of mind, which he fhewed in this critical and perilous fituation, would have done honour to a veteran. He ftationed in a turret in the garden, which commanded the road by which the rebels were expected to advance, fix of his corps, including Mr. Allen and his fon, only fifteen years old. After fixing fome other out-pofts, he retired into the barrack, with the main body, of whom he feledted the belt markfmen, placed them at thofe windows from which they were mod likely to annoy the enemy, and defired them not to fire without taking good aim.
The advanced guard of the rebels, confiding of about three hundred cavalry, approached towards the turret, in a full trot, without apprehending any danger. Their leader, one Farrell, was mortally wounded by the firft (hot fired by young Mr. Tyrrell ; and the main body having been thrown into confufion by a general volley, fled out of the reach of their fire. The rebel infantry then coming up, palTed by the turret under cover of a wall, and part of them having taken poft behind a hedge, maintained a conftant fire on it, but without effed. The remainder joined another party, who came by a crofs road from a different quarter, for their object was to have furrounded the town. They then ftationed a guard on the bridge, to prevent any reinforcement from arriving in that direction. The markfinen from the windows foon difperfed and put to flight that guard, after having killed about a dozen of them. This proved afterwards to be of the utmoft confequence to the little garrifon, as it preferved a communication with the weftern road.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 40

As the companion tells it

Coming up now is Clonard, in Meath. In 1798, this town was defended by a man who had never served in any military capacity. Lieutenant Tyrrell showed a coolness and energy that would have done honour to a veteran. He stationed six of his men in a turret in the garden, a turret that commanded the road the rebels were expected to advance by. Among those six were Mr. Allen and his son, only fifteen years old. He set other out-posts, then retired into the barrack with the main body. He picked his best marksmen, placed them at the windows from which they were most likely to annoy the enemy, and told them not to fire without taking good aim. The advanced guard of the rebels came on, about three hundred cavalry, in a full trot, without apprehending any danger. Their leader, one Farrell, was mortally wounded by the first shot, fired by young Mr. Tyrrell. A general volley threw the main body into confusion and they fled out of reach. The rebel infantry then came up and passed by the turret under cover of a wall. Some took post behind a hedge and kept up a constant fire on the turret, but without effect. The remainder joined another party who had come by a cross road, for their object was to surround the town. They stationed a guard on the bridge to prevent any reinforcement arriving from that direction. But the marksmen at the windows soon dispersed and put to flight that guard, after killing about a dozen of them. This proved to be of the utmost consequence, as it preserved a communication with the western road.

Father Philip Roche hanged on Wexford bridge

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Father Philip Roche, called an inhuman savage for presiding at massacres on Vinegar Hill, was hanged on the bridge of Wexford for various crimes.

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The reverend Mr. Gordon, his fucceffor, knowing the fct of favages he had to deal with, has, with more regard to policy than accuracy, written a hiftory of the rebellion, for the obvious purpofeof conciliating the priefts and the popilh multitude, to fecure the punClual payment of his tythes ; and for that purpofe, he abufes the magiftrates, the military, and the yeomen-, and he imputes many of the atrocities committed during the rebellion to local provocation, though, in other parts of his work, he admits that the rebellion arofe from fanaticifm, and that the popilh multitude had no other idea of a revolution, than the exclufive eftablilhment of their own religion. He imputes to me, among others, the following error: 1 call father Philip Roche, the commander in chief, an inhuman favage, becaufe he not only inculcated the extirpation of hereticks, but was prefent, -and prcfided, at many mallacres on Vinegar-hill; and yet Mr. Gordon becomes his panegyrift, and fays, for a charge of cruelty againft him, I can iind no foundation. On the contrary, I have heard many inftances of his a£tive humanity." Good God ! that a proteftaut clergyman (hould become the encomiaft of a monfter who was the inftrument of fo much human mifery, and who was hanged on the bridge of Wexford, for various crimes 1*
* See vol. i. pages 451, 464 — vol. a. page 410.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 192

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, the bridge here is where Father Philip Roche was hanged in 1798. He had been commander in chief of the rebels, and the author of this account calls him an inhuman savage, because he not only inculcated the extirpation of heretics, but was present and presided at many massacres on Vinegar Hill. A reverend Mr. Gordon, who wrote his own history of the rebellion, took a different view. He said of Roche, for a charge of cruelty against him, I can find no foundation, and claimed he had heard many instances of his active humanity. The author here attacks Gordon for that defence. He says Gordon wrote with more regard to policy than accuracy, to conciliate the priests and the populace, to secure the payment of his tythes. He calls it monstrous that a Protestant clergyman should praise a man who was the instrument of so much human misery, and who was hanged on the bridge of Wexford for various crimes.

General Bellew's execution at Killala

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

At the approach of the king's troops to Killala, Bellew refused to take up arms or march against them; he was taken in the town, tried by court-martial the next day, and hanged.

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At the approach of the king's troops to Killala, he refufed to take up arms, or to march againfl thern, though furrounded by a hoft of pikemen* He was taken in the town, tried next day by a courtmartial, and hanged. His dejedion on his trial was fuch, that he was incapable of making any rational defence. He was a man of quick lively parts, very flirewd in his remarks on men and manners, and had much fmcerity and ingenuoufnels in his condud and converfation. He knew the French, Italian, German, and Sclavonian languages well, and fpoke the firft three with fluency and accuracy. It is much to be lamented, that a man, who might have been a benefit and an ornament to fociety, fhould, by a train of misfortunes to which he was not acceffary, be reduced to fuch a Hate of debafement, and be finally driven to make fo igno'miriious an exit.
Father Mc. Gowen, a fellow of very low extraction, and a noted drunkard, lived at Croffmalina ; but having a difpute with the Maguire family, who made a confpicuous figure in the rebellion, he was obliged to change his refidence. Though deeply concerned in treafon and rebellion, the loyalifts could not obtain fufficienc evidence to convict him ; but, though he efcaped the gallows, jullice overtook him in another way. Soon after the iurrender of the French at Ballynamuck, a report having reached him, that they had made another defccnt, while he was reveling at a chriftening, he, elate at the pleafing intelligence, indulged in the joys of Bacchus to fuch an excefs, that, returning to his own houfe at a late hour of the night, he fell from his horfe, and broke his neck within a few paces of it.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 90

As the companion tells it

Coming through Killala in Mayo, this is where General Bellew was executed in 1798. When the king's troops approached the town, Bellew refused to take up arms or to march against them, though he was surrounded by a host of pikemen. He was taken in the town, tried the next day by a court martial, and hanged. His dejection on his trial was such that he was incapable of making any rational defence. He was a man of quick, lively parts, very shrewd in his remarks on men and manners, and had much sincerity and ingenuousness in his conduct and conversation. He knew the French, Italian, German, and Sclavonian languages well, and spoke the first three with fluency and accuracy. The record laments that a man who might have been a benefit and an ornament to society should, by a train of misfortunes to which he was not accessory, be reduced to such a state of debasement, and be finally driven to make so ignominious an exit. The same record tells of Father Mc. Gowen, a fellow of very low extraction and a noted drunkard, who lived at Crossmalina. He had a dispute with the Maguire family, who made a conspicuous figure in the rebellion, and was obliged to change his residence. Though deeply concerned in treason and rebellion, the loyalists could not obtain sufficient evidence to convict him. He escaped the gallows, but justice overtook him another way. Soon after the surrender of the French at Ballynamuck, a report reached him that they had made another descent. While reveling at a christening, elated at the intelligence, he indulged in the joys of Bacchus to such excess that, returning to his own house at a late hour, he fell from his horse and broke his neck within a few paces of it.

Jordan and Tweedy burned at Feathard

Fethard · town · Wexford · 1798

A band of rebels headed by Michael Devereux and Joshua Colfer entered the town of Feathard, seized protestants William Jordan and James Tweedy, and conveyed them to the barn where they were burned; Jordan had been servant to the rector of Feathard who narrowly escaped to Duncannon fort.

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ON Sriturday, the twenty-fixth of May, a bnnd of-afTaffjus, roaming the country in quell of proteltants, and headed by Michael Devereux and Jofhua Golfer, entered the town of Fcathard, about eleven miles from Scullabogue, and feized William Jordan and James Tweedy, both proicftants, and conveye4 them to the barn where they were burned ; the former was fervant to the reverend INIr. Kennedy, re6lor of Feathard, who had fled and narrov/ly efcaped to Duncaiinon fort. Golfer often regretted that he had not that orange rogue, Mr. Kennedy, to put him to death ; he exclaimed very much againll protellants, and laid they deferved to be punifhed. Some of the proteftant inhabitants of Feathard faved their lives by going to niafs, snd by afluming the femblance of fincere converfion. The reverend father Doyle, who adled with humanity towards them, advifed them to do fo, as the means of preferving their lives. William Hurdis, a witnefs on Golfer's trial, fwore, that Patrick Murphy, one of the gang of afiaflins, made him fwear to be true to the catholick war. Thefe facls were proved on the trial of Jofliua Golfer, before 8 court-martial, held at Waterford, the third of December, 1798, by order of general Johnfon. Golfer had been malfter to Mr. Glarke, a brewer of Feathard, refided there conftantly, and had lived on terms of intimacy with the protellants.
James Murphy, a witnefs on the trial of Golfer, and fen.'ant of the reverend Mr. Kennedy, fwore. That the prifoner allied him whether he would kill his mailer, and declared that he would kill him if he would not. He faid alfo, that all orangemen fliould be killed.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 162

Lord Lucan's house wrecked; debate on massacring Protestants

Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

Rebels made a wreck of Lord Lucan's house at Castlebar despite his good landlord reputation, and debated on his lawn about massacring Protestants, but were opposed by French officers and by Bartholomew Teeling and Henry O'Keon.

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They debated in lord Lucan's lawn on maiTacring the proteftants ; but the French officers oppofed it vehemently, and they were joined by Bartholomew Teeling and Henry O'Keon, who, though papifts, were free from the fanguinary fpirit which adluaf^ed the common herd. The latter faid, " Gentlemen, .when you were in the power of the proteftants, they did not ftied your blood ; and when your friends were taken in Wexford, moft of them were pardoned, and but few were put to death * though they v/ere in adual rebellion : You Ihould alfo conftJer, that you yourfelves may foon be in the power of the government ; but if you will malTacre the proteftants, put me to death with them."
I'he French eat the beft of meat and bread, drank wiue, beer and coftee, and llept on good beds. They

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 95

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Castlebar, a town the road passes through. In 1798, rebels wrecked Lord Lucan's house here, though he was known as a good landlord. On his lawn they debated massacring Protestants, but French officers opposed the idea vehemently. Bartholomew Teeling and Henry O'Keon, though Catholic themselves, stood against the slaughter. O'Keon told them, when you were in the power of the Protestants, they did not shed your blood, and when your friends were taken in Wexford, most of them were pardoned. He warned that they themselves might soon be in the power of government, and said if they would massacre the Protestants, put me to death with them. The French, for their part, ate the best of meat and bread, drank wine, beer and coffee, and slept on good beds.

Massacre of ninety-seven prisoners on Wexford bridge

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Ninety-seven prisoners were massacred on the bridge at Wexford, with the massacre described at length and an inscription later placed on the bridge.

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. ihere on I'lijiity Sunday by the popilh bilhop's chaplain, ibid. — Colonel Lehunte and other proteltants obliged to become converts to popery, i, 560 — The rebels fcarch the houfes for orangemen, i. ibiel. — Ninety- fcren prifoners malTacred on the bridge, ,iL 17 — Prote^^lions granted by the priefts. i. 567 — Maitacre on the bridge defcribed, from ii. 17 to 31 — The bloody committee in the gaol defcribed, and the calendar of the prottflant prifoners, ii. 27, a8 — Twelve yeomen enter it the a i it June, and ftrike terror into the rebels, who fly precipitately, ii. 37 — The fiigiit of the rebels defcribed in a lady's journal, li. 38 — A fermon preached there the igth gf Tuae, by father kociic, the bifliop's chaplain, i. 576
^Infcriptioa

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 196

As the companion tells it

You're coming into Wexford now. Back in 1798, ninety-seven prisoners were massacred on the bridge here, an event described at length in the records of the rebellion. An inscription was later placed on the bridge marking what happened. The records also tell of a bloody committee that operated in the gaol, and a calendar of the Protestant prisoners held there. Twelve yeomen entered the town on the 1st of June and struck terror into the rebels, who fled. An inscription on the bridge commemorates the dead.

Massacre of Protestants after the battle of Arklow

Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

After the rebel defeat at Arklow, rebels returning to Gorey put many Protestants to death, including a blacksmith named Walker, despite his having fought for them, on the insistence of Father John Murphy that any Protestant blood in a family warranted death.

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rebels marched from faid camp to attaclc the town of Arklow, one Murphy a pTiei]-., who was kiilgd at the battle -of Arklow that day, mounted ou a car, and preaclied a fcrmou pf exhortation to the faid rebels, iii which die laid iVlurphy aflured the faid rebels that they were lighting in the> cauJc pf God that the more of the hcathciis (meaning the king's army) they would kill, the fooner they would go to heaven ; and that if any of them died in battle, they would be fure of immediate falvation j that fiid Murpliy touk lome bullets out of his pockets, fiiewed them to the re^ els, and allured them, that they had hit him at the battle or" Gorey, in different parts of his body and limbs, and that they could not do him any injiny. That faid Murpliy faid tin'- ther in faid fermon, that he would take; the gravel off the road and throw it at the hereticks, and' that he could kill them with ic. Examinant faith, that another priefi of the name of Dixon declared to the rebel general Roche, thrAt they would take the town of Avkiow in half '?,n hour ^ that then they would be joined by twenty thoufand men ; and that they would proceed to Wicklow, and from thence id t)ublin. ' Examinant faith, that faid rebels wherever they marched, put to death fiich proteftants as fell into their hands ; faying often on fueh bccafions, that tlie kiiigdom was their own, and that there fliould be but one* religioii, Examinant faith, that faid rebels on their arrival at Gotc'y aforefaid, after the battle of Arklow, put many protellants to death, though they had ferved with the faid rebels in faid battle •, and that when they were on the point of executing' one Walker a blackfmith, fom.e of faid rebels pleaded in liis favour, having faid, that he had made many pikes, and fought well with them j but that father John Murphy faid,^ that if there was but one drop of proteftant blood in a family, they ought to put that family to death ; and tlr^t faid Walker was accordingly put to death. Examinant^ faith, he repaired with the faid rebels from Gorey, to z' place, to the bell of examinant's recplle^lion, called Liril-' brick, from thence to Tinnehely, and from thence to Carnew, and from thence to Vinegar-hill ; and that faid rebels in their march from Gorey to Vinegar-hill aforefaid, killed all the proteftants they could get into their cuftody"/ Informant faith, that he and his comrades made their efcape at the battle of Vinegar-hill aforefaid.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 157

As the companion tells it

As you come through Gorey, in Wexford, this is a town where, after the battle of Arklow in 1798, rebels returning here put many Protestants to death. Some of those killed had served with the rebels in that same battle. One was a blacksmith named Walker. Some of the rebels pleaded for him, saying he had made many pikes and fought well with them. But Father John Murphy said that if there was but one drop of Protestant blood in a family, they ought to put that family to death, and Walker was accordingly put to death. Before the battle of Arklow, a priest named Murphy, who was killed there that day, mounted a car and preached to the rebels. He told them they were fighting in the cause of God, that the more of the king's army they killed, the sooner they would go to heaven, and that if any of them died in battle they would be sure of immediate salvation. He took bullets from his pockets, showed them to the rebels, and said they had hit him at the battle of Gorey but could not injure him. He said he would take the gravel off the road and throw it at the heretics, and that he could kill them with it. Another priest, named Dixon, told the rebel general Roche they would take Arklow in half an hour, then be joined by 20,000 men, and proceed to Wicklow and from thence to Dublin. Wherever the rebels marched, they put to death such Protestants as fell into their hands, saying often that the kingdom was their own and that there should be but one religion. After Gorey, the rebels marched to Vinegar Hill, killing all the Protestants they could get into their custody along the way.

Mrs Fenton casts bullets from pewter plates during Hacketstown siege

Hacketstown · parish · Wicklow · 1798

During the siege of Hacketstown, when ammunition ran low, Mrs Fenton broke up her own pewter plates and cast bullets by hand while her husband made them into cartridges, helping sustain the defence.

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Next day great numbers of dead bodies were found in ditches j and immediately behind Mr. Mc. Ghee*s garrifon they found fifty dead men with their pikes, and thirty over whom a little clay had been thrown* That gallant party vv^ould have been unable to defend themfelves for want of ammunition, had not lieutenant- Fenton, of the Talbot's-town cavalry, been providentially prevented frorri attending his duty by a contufion, occafioned by a fall from his horfe, as he fat behind a pier between two windows making cartridges ; and to the immortal honour of Mrs. Fenton, Ihe continued to - go about the houfe, and to fupply the befieged with refi-efliment during their laborious and perilous fervice j and when their ftock of balls was exhaufted, flic broke up her pewter plates,, and caft bullets of them with her own hands, which her huiband made ud into cartridges.
I'he garriibn were obliged to retreat to Tullow the evening of the aclion, for the following reafons : They were exhauRed with fatigue ; their ammunition was expended \ and all the houfes in the town, except three, were confumed, and the rebels returned and burned them. Thus circumftanced, had they waited for a fecond attack in the night, which the enemy meditated, it muft have been fatal to the garrifon.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 33

Murder of yeoman Thomas Scammadon near Aglish

Aglish · town · Waterford · 1797

Thomas Scammadon, a young yeoman of the Cappoquin corps, was lured into drinking at an alehouse in the village of Aglish on 12 November 1797, refused the United Irishman's oath, was condemned by a makeshift committee, and murdered on the road with eighteen bayonet wounds.

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Thomas Scammadon, a yeoman in the Cappoquin corps, juft of age, was going on Sunday the twelfth of November, 1797, from that town to Clafhrnore, about ten miles oif ; and as he paiTed througli the village of Aglifs, when the popiih congregation were leaving the chapelj his red uniform attiatbed their notice, and marked him for an obje6l of their vengeance. Some of them invited him to ckink in an aiehouie, to which all the traitors of the adjacent court try had reiorted after mafs, tn ord-er to form their plots. They amufed themfelves with his finging, (for he was a famous fongller) till it was dark ; and then offered to adminiilei to him the United Irliliman's oath •, but he refufed it, having faid, that he had taken an oath of allegiance a few days before. Finding that his loyalty was unlhaken, a party of them retired to anotlier room, as a committee, and condemned him to die ; and in obedience to the fentence, two- of his pot companions waylaid him, about half a mile out of the village, and murdered him, having perforated his body in eighteen different places with his own bayonet.
In the parifh of Modeligo, a committee of afTaflination, confifting of twelve farmers, in very good circumftances, deliberately condemned one Thomas Curreen to die in the month of 0(ftober, 1797, for no other reafon, than that they fufpetled he would not keep their fecrets, for he was one of the brotherhood. They then preceeded in the dead hour of the night, with a number of their aflbciates, and {hot him, after which every one prefect was obliged to inflict a wound on the body ; this atrocity was afterwards proved by the information of one of the party. When they called Curreen out of his houfe, and informed him that he muft die for the good of thecaufe, he alked permilhon to have tlie afTiilance of a pried before he was put to death but they faid, that they fliould not have time for that purpofe, and that they would fay a prayer for his foul. They therefore kneeled down, crofTed themfelves, and implored the divine favour for the foul of the vidlim v»^hom they were going to immolate.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

Murder of yeoman Thomas Scammodin near Aglish village

Aglish · town · Waterford · 1797

Thomas Scammodin, a yeoman of the Cappoquin corps, was traveling from Cappoquin to Clashmore when his red uniform drew attention from a chapel congregation at Aglish. After refusing to take the United Irishman's oath, he was condemned by a committee and murdered, his body perforated in eighteen places with his own bayonet.

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Thomas Scammodin, a yecman in the Cappoquin corps^ juft of age, was going on Sunday the twelfth of November, 1 797, from that town to Clafhmore, about ten miles oW-, and as he pafled through the village of Aglifs, when tlie popiih congregation were leaving the chapel, his red uniform attracted their notice, and marked him for an object of their vengeance. Some of them invited him to drink in an alehoufe, to which all the traitors of the adjacent country had reforted after mafs, in order to form their plots. They amufed themfelves with his fmging, (for he was a famous fongfter) till it was dark ; and then offered to adminiiler to him the United Irifhm.an's oath ; but he refufcd it, having faid,. that he had taken an oath of allegiance a few days before. Finding that his loyalty was unfhaken, a parfy of them retired to another room, as a committee, and condemned him to die ; and in obedience to the fentence, two of his pot com.panions waylaid him, about half a mile out of the village, and murdered him, having perforated his body in eighteen different places with his own bayonet.
In the village of Aglifs, a noted rendezvous of the rebels, atui where they formed their plans of organization, the rabble had often fierce difputcs about the divifion and the appropriation of the neighbouring gentlemen's eilates ; anil two ruffians had a violent conflidl about Dromana, the feat of tlie earl of Grandifon.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 121

Napper Tandy's French Landing at Rutland Island

Rutland Island or Inishmacadurn · townland · Donegal · 1798

On 16 September 1798 a French brig, the Anacreon, landed James Napper Tandy and French officers and troops at Rutland in County Donegal; they demanded provisions, posted sentinels, distributed proclamations, and re-embarked after learning their rebel allies had already surrendered.

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ABOUT twelve o'clock a French brig came into tliis harbour, and immediately landed a number of men and officers, Napper Tandy at their head. They immediately enquired for the poft-office, and came and pofted a centinel at the door to prevent my fending off immediately : They demanded (though very politery) fome victuals, with which thev were furniflied. I had a good deal of converfation with Tandy : When they found that their friends here had furrendered and were made priloners of war, they feemed a good deal confounded ; and, after taking a flight repaft, re-embarked.
Tandy informed me that they came on a mere experiment, to try the pulfe of the people, about which he particularly enquired* I reported this neighbourhood, as far as I knew, to be weaned from French principles, &:c. at which he feemed furprifed j he fays, the French will never make peace with England, until. Ireland is made free and independent.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 180

Plot to massacre Protestants of Athy foiled

Athy · town · Kildare · 1798

In August 1798, information revealed a plot to burn cabins near the chapel at Athy as a diversion, allowing three hundred rebels hidden in Walsh's inn-yard to seize the gaol and court-house and massacre the Protestant population during Sunday service; the Fermanagh militia arrived by forced march to prevent it.

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In Augufl:, 1798, information was given to captain Rawfon, upon the oath of a creditable perfon, that the proteftants of Athy and its vicinity, were to be maflacred on the following Sunday, at the time of divine fervice ; the plan was, to fet fire to fome cabins outfide the town, near the chapel ; a cry of fire was to be given ; and it was fuppofed the yeomanry would rufh irregularly to afhft m extinguifhing the flames. Three hundred men, who were to be concealed in Walfli's inn-yard, were to rufh out, gain poffeffion of the gaol and court-houfe ; and on a fignal being given, the mob at the fire were to feize the yeomanry, and difpatch them ; and then, at their leifure, all the remaining proteftants, men, women, and children, were to be butchered. There was an hefitation about giving information to a proteftant, who was married to a Roman catholick, not to go to church that day, as was his conftant |)ra6lice ; but it v/as determined to let him die with the reft, as he might difcover.
The informations of the above hellifti plot were fent to government, and one hundred and twenty of the Fermanagh

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 137

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Athy, you are in a town where a massacre was planned in August 1798. A creditable person swore to Captain Rawson that the Protestants of Athy were to be killed the following Sunday during divine service. The plan was to set fire to cabins near the chapel, draw the yeomanry out to fight the flames, and then 300 men hidden in Walsh's inn-yard would rush out and seize the gaol and court-house. On a signal the mob would turn on the yeomanry, dispatch them, and then butcher every remaining Protestant, men, women and children. There was even hesitation about warning one Protestant man married to a Roman Catholic, because letting him stay home from church might give the plot away. They decided to let him die with the rest. The information reached government, and 120 of the Fermanagh militia arrived to prevent it.

Rev. Robert Burrowes murdered at Kyle after siege

Kyle · townland · Wexford · 1798

Rebels numbering three or four hundred attacked the house of Rev. Robert Burrowes at Kyle near Oulart, burning outbuildings and setting fire to the house. After a defence, the family surrendered and the rector was murdered along with seven of the nine men defending the house.

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father,- upon condition of furrendering his arms, deponent and his father ifTued from faid houfe, and this deponent and his father gave up their fire-arms, whereupon a (hot was immediately fired at this deponent, and deponent's father was attacked and murdered by feveral men, and this deponent himfelf was feverely wounded by a ftab of a pike through the body, and left by the fide of his father apparently dead : and that feven of the nine men, who were armed by this deponent's father in defence of the houfe, were murdered, and that the houfe and furniture, plate, clothing, leafes, fecurities for money and property of every kind contained in faid houfi, were deftroyed, and that the entire ftock upon the grounds belonging to this deponent's father, except four cows and two calves, were taken away by faid rebels ; that this deponent, about three o'clock in the afternoon of faid day, after the faid mob had departed, was found languifliing in the lawn before faid houfe, and conveyed upon a door to the village of Oulart, where deponent's mother and brothers and fillers had been received ; and that on Tuefday, the twenty-ninth of faid month, this deponent, his mother and brothers and fifters were efcorted by a party of faid rebels to Caftle-Annefley, about five miles diftant, and kept in cuftody of a party of faid rebels, until Wexford was re-taken ; and general Needham having difcovered where they were, fent a party of the Durham fencibles, w*ho efcorted this deponent and the reft of the family of this deponent's father to Wexford, where deponent's mother, his brothers and filters are now living. And deponent faith, that deponent's mother and her family have been deprived of the means of fubfiflence, by the lofles fuftained by faid rebels, and are now reduced to a fi;ate of great indigence.
T. C. BURROWES.*

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 146

Thomas Dixon and wife oversee the bridge massacre

Wexford Bridge · street · Wexford · 1798

Thomas Dixon and his wife supervised the massacre on horseback; when retreating, their horses balked at the blood on the bridge, forcing them to dismount and lead the horses across while she held up her riding habit to avoid bloodstains.

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When the rebels retreated from the bridge, on the alarm given by general Roche, Dixon and his wife attempted to follow them ; but their horfes ftartled at the immenfe quantity of blood which w^as Ihed on the bridge, and refufed to pafs through it ; on which they difmounted, and led their horfes over the bridge ; fhe, at the fame time, holding up her riding habit, left it fliould be ftained with blood. She was heard to defire the rebels not to wafte their ammunition, but to give the prifoners plenty of piking.
It will reflect indelible difgrace on the popifh priefts of Wexford, of whom there were no lefs than fifteen or fixteen in the town during the perpetration of thefe mafTacres, that none of them, except father Corrin, ever interfered to prevent them. They evinced the moft unbounded influence on all occafions ; for no proleftant was ever injured who had been fo fortunate as to obtain a protection from one of them. It has been faid in defence of the priefts, that they had been totally ignorant of the malTacres, till Mr. Kellett fent to father Corrin.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 12

As the companion tells it

Along here on Wexford Bridge in 1798, Thomas Dixon and his wife supervised the massacre from horseback. When the rebels retreated from the bridge on the alarm given by General Roche, Dixon and his wife attempted to follow them. But their horses startled at the immense quantity of blood shed on the bridge and refused to pass through it. They dismounted and led their horses over the bridge. She held up her riding habit so it would not be stained with blood. She was heard to desire the rebels not to waste their ammunition, but to give the prisoners plenty of piking. Fifteen or sixteen Catholic priests were in Wexford during these massacres. None of them except Father Corrin ever interfered to prevent them. No Protestant was ever injured who had obtained a protection from one of the priests. It has been said in their defence that they had been totally ignorant of the massacres until Mr. Kellett sent to Father Corrin.

Twenty-three prisoners shot at Vinegar Hill after priest's harangue

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

Sterne and thirty-two other Protestant prisoners were held four days at a rebel guard-house in Enniscorthy before being taken to Vinegar-hill to be tried by a committee of rebel officers; twenty-three of his fellow prisoners were shot there after a priest named Murphy harangued them as heretics.

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that faid rebels declared, on feeing the deplorable flate of informant, that they would not hang or pike this informant-, that he was then taken to the ftuble of the faid George'Ogle, where* he remained two days and two nights ; and then> that he, thiij informant, was fuffcred to make his efcape. Informant faitji, he was foon after taken prifoner by another body of rebels, who conducted him to a rebel guard-houfe at Enniicorthy aforefaid, where he remained four days, with thirty-two other proteflant prifonersj where informant would have been llarved but for fome nourifhment which informant received once a day from his wife \ that he, and his fellow prlfoners, were conveyed, on the fifth day, (to the beft of informant's recolle6liou) to Vinegar-hill, to be tried by a com.mittee of rebel ofEcers, on which hill, contiguous to Ennifcorthy aforefaid, he remained two days and two nights; that faid rebels fliot twenty-three of the fellow-prifoners of this informant, and in the prefence of this informant, on Vinegar-hill aforefaid \ and this informant is convince'd in liis mind, that the faid rebels had no other charge or accufation againfi: the faid prifoners, but that they were of the •jproteftant religion. Informant faith, .that before the execution of the faid prifoners, another prieft, of the name of Murphy, harangued the faid prifoners, in words of the following purport ; You fons of Belial, that withftood our holy religion w^hich exifted eight hundred years before yours began, (cracki^rig the fingers of his right hand, and then of his left,) you will fee how thefe pikemen will treat you tomorrow, unlefs there is a great reformation in you ;" that the faid prieft exprelfcd the faid words with a loud voice^ and in a very angry tone. Informant faith, that^ his life was faved by the interference of one William Lacy, brother to a ppeft of that name, who feemed to have great power in faid rebel camp on Vinegar-hill aforefaid, and with whcin informant had been long acquainted, and from whom informant obtained a prote(5ion. Informant faith, that the rebels before they wounded him at Killuran aforefaid, ftripped informant of his hat and wig, coat and waiftcoat.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 149

As the companion tells it

Up ahead, the road passes near Vinegar Hill, outside Enniscorthy. In 1798, this was the ground where rebel forces held and executed Protestant prisoners. A man called Sterne was taken by rebels and brought to a rebel guard-house at Enniscorthy, where he stayed four days with thirty-two other Protestant prisoners. He would have starved but for nourishment his wife brought him once a day. On the fifth day, he and his fellow prisoners were brought to Vinegar Hill to be tried by a committee of rebel officers. He remained there two days and two nights. The rebels shot twenty-three of his fellow prisoners on Vinegar Hill, in his presence. He was convinced in his own mind that they had no charge against the prisoners but that they were of the Protestant religion. Before the execution, a priest named Murphy harangued the prisoners. His words were of this purport: "You sons of Belial, that withstood our holy religion which existed eight hundred years before yours began," cracking the fingers of his right hand, and then of his left, "you will see how these pikemen will treat you tomorrow, unless there is a great reformation in you." He spoke with a loud voice and a very angry tone. Sterne's life was saved by the interference of one William Lacy, brother to a priest of that name, who seemed to have great power in the rebel camp on Vinegar Hill. Sterne had been long acquainted with him and obtained a protection.

United Irishmen Society founded at Eustace Street, Dublin

Eustace Street · street · Dublin · 1791

At a meeting of the Society of United Irishmen of Dublin held on Eagle and Eustace-street, with the honorable Simon Butler in the chair, the society's founding declaration was agreed to on 9 November 1791. James Napper Tandy served as secretary.

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At a meeting of the Society of United Irifhmen of Dubliny the honorable Simon Butler in the chairy the following was agreed to :
WHEN we reflefl how often the freemen and freeholders of Dublin have been convened, humbly to exprefs their grievances to parliament —how often they have folicited the enaction of good, and the repeal of bad laws — how often, for fucceeding years^ they have petitioned againft the obnoxious and unconftitutional police a£l: — and how often all thefe applications have been treated with the moil perfect contumacy and contempt : When thefe fa£ls are brought to recollection, is there an honeft man will fay, that the houfe of commonshave the fmalleft refpeQ for the people, or believe themfelves their legitimate reprefentatives ? — The fad^ is, that the great majority of that houfe cc^ilider themfelves as the reprefeittatives of their own money, or the hired fcrvants of the EngHfh government, whofe minifter here is appointed for the fole purpofe of dealing out corruption to them — at the expence of Irifh liberty, Irifli commerce, and Irifli. improvement. This being the cafe, it naturally' follows, that fuch minifter is not only the reprefentative of the Englifh views againft this country, but is alfo the fole repre-

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 132

As the companion tells it

On this street, on the 9th of November 1791, the Society of United Irishmen of Dublin held the meeting at which its founding declaration was agreed to. The honourable Simon Butler was in the chair, and James Napper Tandy served as secretary. The declaration looked back at how the freemen and freeholders of Dublin had petitioned parliament, year after year, against bad laws and what they called the obnoxious and unconstitutional police act, and how every application was met with what they described as the most perfect contumacy and contempt. The members asked whether any honest man could say the House of Commons had the smallest respect for the people, or believed themselves their legitimate representatives. They charged that the great majority of that house considered themselves the representatives of their own money, or the hired servants of the English government, whose minister in Ireland was appointed for the sole purpose of dealing out corruption at the expense of Irish liberty, Irish commerce, and Irish improvement.

John Gill of Monglass stabbed after refusing to renounce Protestant faith

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

John Gill of Monglass was led out of the windmill and questioned about his religion by rebels including executioner Andrew Martin; when he declared himself a Christian, Martin stabbed him repeatedly, though he survived and was later saved by his wife.

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Martin to ftop, and a'fked Gill how he would choofe to die ? He replied, as a chriftian. A man on horfe-back laid, arc you a chriftian ? He anlwered, that he believed in the Saviour of the world, and that he hoped to be faved through him. Martin then faid, " Oh ! Damnation to your foul, you are a chriftian in your own way," and diredly ftabbed him in the fide. He then fell on his face, and was ftabbed in the back, and beat on the head with fome heavy inftrument. He ftill continued in his fenfes. His brother was next brought our, and having been afked the fame queftion, he boldly anfwered that he would die a proteftant j on which he was inftantly put to death. He then fainted, and continued infenfible till his v^^ife came for him in the evening, and ihe found great difBculty in faving him, as there was an old man with a fcythc, examining the bodies, and fhriking it on the head of fuch of them as had any figns of life. She took him to the bottom of the hill, where, finding that he had fome appearance of life, flie concealed his body. Next morning he was difcovered bv a party of rebels, who carried him to the hill, where he was faved by a man who was to have married his daughter. About half a mile from the hill, he was met by two men, one of whom fired at him, and the ball grazed his head and ftunned him. His wife^ at- her return, ^ound him again, and from that time, tiii Vinegar hill was taken by the king's troops, he lay conceal//! in ditches in that deplorable ftate *, but at laft recovered, and is ftill alive. John Auftin, a proteftant, was taken prifoner and condudied to Ennifcorthy by one capt jn Weft, when Farrell was on parade with fome rebels. Weft faid, captain Farrell, here is an orangema^i. Farrell ordered him to a rebel guard-houfe, where there were fifteen or fixteen loyalifts, and fwore that he would have them all put to death the next night. A Mr. Robinfon who was there begged that Farrell would favc them. Auftin was faved by the interceflion of a rebel. John Mooney fwore, he faw Farrell head a party at the attack of Borris, the feat of Mr. Kavenagh. That after it, he faw him fworn in a captain, on which father Kearns, the prieft, kiffed him. He was called St. Ruth.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 156

As the companion tells it

As you come near Vinegar Hill, you are passing through ground that saw some of the darkest moments of the 1798 rebellion. After the fighting here, a Protestant man named John Gill of Monglass was led out of the windmill on the hill and questioned by the rebels. The executioner, Andrew Martin, asked him how he would choose to die. Gill answered, as a Christian. A man on horseback pressed him further, and Gill said he believed in the Saviour of the world and hoped to be saved through him. Martin said, "Damnation to your soul, you are a christian in your own way," and stabbed him in the side. Gill fell on his face and was stabbed in the back and beaten on the head with a heavy instrument. His brother was brought out next and declared he would die a Protestant, and was instantly put to death. Gill's wife came for him that evening and found him still alive, but an old man with a scythe was moving among the bodies, striking the heads of any who showed signs of life. She managed to get him to the bottom of the hill and conceal him. The next morning rebels found him and carried him back up, but a man who was to have married his daughter saved him there. About half a mile from the hill two men fired at him and the ball grazed his head. His wife found him again, and he lay hidden in ditches in that state until Vinegar Hill was taken by the king's troops. He recovered and was still alive.

Murder of Mrs Dale near Dowling's habitation

Athy · town · Kildare · 1798

Rebel captain Patrick Dowling forced Protestant Joseph Dale to join his party under threat of death, promising his wife's safety, but she was later murdered by a mob led by Mary Dowling who called her 'the orange whore' and had her stoned to death by boys.

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pai L of it, lie difcovered the mangled body of his mi fortunate wife. It was proved on the trial of Elizabeth Byrne, James Byrne her fon, Mary Dowhng, the wife of captain Dowling, with Winifred and Bllzabeth Dowiing, her daughters, held at Naas, at the Lent affizes, iSoi, for that county, that Mary Dowling had addreHed a number of women who had colleded at her houfe, and informed them, that they muft go murder Catherine Dale, the orange whore. Upon which they aiTembicd a number of boys, nnd, on entering the hcuie, found the deceafed with a prayer-book in her hand. James Byrne knocked her down \vith the churn-flafr j on which Elizabeth Byrne dragged her body out of the houfe into the road, where Hie was floned to death by tlie beys, who were fupplied with ftones for that purpofe by the women. Thefc fad:s were proved by two of the boys, who were thus employed in this barbarous murder. They were, at the time of giving their evidence, not more than fourteen years old ; and, confequently, at the time of the murder, they could have been but eleven. They underwent a long .and flrict crofs-examination, and yet were perfectly confident even in the moft minute circumflances. They were aiked by the learned and humane judge Downes, why they joined in murdering Mrs. Dale and they ^nfwered, becaiife flie was a proteiiant. Their evidence was confirmed by a poor proteltant yeoman, who had cfcaped from the rebels, and lay concealed behind a hedge, and by another man, whom Elizabeth Byrne compelled to bury the body of the deceafed, under a threat of reporting liim as a cowardly rafcal to the rebels, if he dared to refufe. Thefe wretches met the fate which their crimes deferved, having been convi£lcd and hanged.
No. XVI. f.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 138

As the companion tells it

As the road passes through Athy, you are near where Catherine Dale was murdered in 1798. Rebel captain Patrick Dowling had forced her Protestant husband Joseph Dale to join his party under threat of death, promising his wife's safety. But Mary Dowling, the captain's wife, gathered women at her house and told them they must go murder Catherine Dale, calling her "the orange whore." They assembled boys who found Catherine with a prayer-book in her hand. James Byrne knocked her down with a churn-staff, and Elizabeth Byrne dragged her body out into the road, where she was stoned to death by boys supplied with stones by the women. Two of those boys gave evidence at the trial in Naas, not more than 14 years old at the time, meaning they were about 11 when the murder happened. Asked by Judge Downes why they joined in killing Mrs. Dale, they answered "because she was a protestant." A poor Protestant yeoman who had escaped the rebels and lay concealed behind a hedge confirmed their account, as did a man Elizabeth Byrne forced to bury the body under threat of being reported to the rebels as a coward. Those convicted were hanged.

Murder of Robert Davis near Tullow

Tullow · town · Carlow · 1798

Rebels went to the house of farmer Robert Davis near Tullow and shot him at a late hour, compelling his ten-year-old daughter to hold a candle while they shot her father, and burned his bible.

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George Driver, of Tinnehaly, all of the proteflant religion, and whom they inhumanly butchered and put to death with pikes, on the hill of Boulamorogue, in faid county, for no other reafon than becaufe they were proteftants. Informant faith, that the bodies of the faid perfons were fo mangled and butchered, that their friends were obliged to convey them to the place of burial fwathed in linen clothes. Informant faith, that about three weeks ago, a party of faid rebels went to the houfe of Jofeph Faris, of Crownafkeagh, in the county of Carlow,farmer, who lay fick in bed with a violent fever j and tliat the faid rebels took the faid Jofeph Faris out of his bed, and fhot him at the end of his own houfe, which they burned to afhes. — Inform.ant faith, that the faid rebels, about the fame time, anaflinated Thomas Mathers, of Crownafkeagh aforefaid, farmer : And he, this informant, verily believes, that the faid rebels murdered the faid Faris; and the faid Mathers, for no other reafon than becaufe they were proteftants, vvho they, without exception, denominated orangemen ; and informant" further faith, that the faid rebels, never to this informant's knowledge, injured the houfe or property of any Roman catholick, refident in any of the aforefaid places. Informant faith, that a numerous body of rebels burned, on the twenty-fourth of July lall, the houfes of twenty-three proteftants, af Lany and Johnftown, in the county of Carlow, and at BallydufF in faid county, and at Ahold, Coolkenno, Killybeg,; and Gold, in the county of Wicklow ; inform.ant faith, that the houfe of Lorenzo Nickfon, efquire, at Coolkenno afcrrfaid, was among the houfes fo burned ; and that the faid rebels, previous to the burning of the fame, had the poftiilion of die faid Lorenzo Nickfon, who was dying in a confumption, brought out from faid houfe by two women, and that the faid rebels fliot the faid poftillion in prefence of his wife. Informant faith, that about a fortnight, previous to the date hereof, a party of rebels went to the houfe of Robert Davis, a farmer, ' and of the proteftant religion, and refident v/ithin half a mile of Tullow, in the couniy of Carlow, and ftiot the faid Davis in his houfe, at a late hour in the night ; and tliat the faid rebels compelled a daughter of the faid Davis, who did not exceed the age of ten years, to hold a candle while they fhot her father j and that faid rebels burned a biblf^, the property of the faid Davis. Inlormantfaith, that Ephraim Sin-^leton, farmer, and of the proteftant religion, was murdered by the faid rebels at Coolroe, near Clonegal, in the county of Carlow, about a fortnight ago, and that they robbed him at the fame time of 'a con-

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 135

Murder of Sergeant Johnston at Newmarket during prisoner rescue

Newmarket · townland · Kilkenny · 1764

At the village of Newmarket in County Kilkenny, whiteboys including buck Farrell and Michael Mahony ambushed the guard escorting whiteboy prisoners; Sergeant George Johnston was knocked down and fatally stabbed with his own sword when he refused to surrender them.

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at the fame time giving her the fame account that her brother had done before, declared he muft alfo go to refcue the aforefaid prifoners. That (he then went to Clogheen, where fhe met Nicholas Sheehy aforefaid, Michael Mahony, Edmund Prendergaft, buck Farrell aforefaid, Edmund Burke, of Tubrid, EdmiUnd Meehan, Thomas Beer, as fiie afterwards heard him called, with feveral others, whom fhe cannot at prefent recollecl;, preparing for {aid intended refcue. That they all fet out in three different companies, to avoid fufpicion, your informant riding behind Michael Mahony ; that on the way flie heard Nicholas Sheehy propofe a fcheme of making a falfe coffin, with ftraw, covered with a fheet, to deceive and feize the guard that condu£led the prifoners, in order to deliver them. That they all arrived at the village of Newmarket, in the county of Kilkenny, where having refreflied themfelves in the houfe of George Reed, a publican, they prepared the aforefaid cofTin. That when this was finifhed, the aforefaid Nicholas Sheehy leaving them his bleihng, departed from them, on his return home, as he then laid, to celebrate mafs at his own chapel the next day, to avoid fufpicion. That on the light horfe appearing before them, (he faw James Farrell, otherwife buck Farrell, Vv'ith one piftol in his hand, and the other in his pocket, together with Edmund Prendergaft, Michael Mahony, and feveral others, rufh out to meet them. That (he heard the ferjeant of the guard, George Johnfton by name, challenged firft by one Walih, and then by James Farrell aforefaid, to furrender up the prifoners, or that he Ihould lofe his life. That on his refufal, fhe faw them immediately attack him. That buck Farrell firft knocked him down and that a perfon, unknown to her, then drew his faid Johnfton's fword, and thruft it into his body. She depofeth further, that fhe faw one Dogherty, as fhe heard him then called, aiding and affifting in faid murder, as alio Thomas Magrath, of Clogheen.*
her

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 125

Priest Kearns as curate near Clonard before rebellion

Clonard · town · Meath · 1794–1798

The priest Kearns, after surviving hanging in Paris in 1794, fled to Ireland and was appointed curate of a chapel near Clonard, where he was initially trusted as a loyalist before being exposed as betraying magistrates' counsels to rebels.

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French were extirpating the Romifh clergy. He wa$ actually hung up at Paris, but the weight of his body ^ (as he was of a huge ftature) bent the iron of a lamppofl to which he was fufpended fo much, that his toes touched the ground, and prevented animal life from being extinguiftied, An Irifh phyfician, who perceived this, had him conveyed to his houfe, and recovered him. Having fied to his native country, he was appointed ; curate of -> chapel near Clonard. From the vehemence with which he unremittingly inveighed againft French repubhcan principles, and the warm encomiums which he beftowed on our confiitution, he was regarded as a fteady loyalift, and a good fubjecl ; in confequence of which he was well received, and even at times domefticated in the houfes of fome of the moft refpeftable gentlemen in the counties of Meath, Kildare, and the King's county.
As the defenders were at that time formidable in thofe counties, he was not only admitted to the conferences of the magiftrates, but even afTifted them in their nightly patroles againft thole mifcreants.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 44

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Clonard now. A priest called Kearns served as curate of a chapel near this town in the years before the 1798 rebellion. He had survived a hanging in Paris in 1794 — his large body bent the iron of a lamp post he was suspended from, so his toes touched the ground and kept him alive. An Irish physician found him, took him home, and revived him. After fleeing back to Ireland he was given the curacy near Clonard, and from the force with which he denounced French republican principles and praised the constitution, he was taken for a steady loyalist. Respectable gentlemen in Meath, Kildare, and King's County received him into their houses. He was even admitted to the magistrates' conferences and joined their nightly patrols against the Defenders.

Battle of Ballynahinch and burning of the town

near Ballynahinch · town · Down · 1798

Government forces under Colonel Leslie and General Stewart defeated the rebels at Ballynahinch after fierce fighting; nearly five hundred rebels were reportedly killed and the town itself was burned by the military.

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The detachment under lieutenant general Stewart, confifting of a part of the Argylefhire fencibles, and fome of the 2 2d dragoons, and fome yeomanry corps, were like wife attacked ; but they defeated the rebels, and killed a great number of them* The difperfion now became general, and though the retreat was made in a conlufed and irregular manner, it was much favoured by the woods and the nature of the country, which prevented the cavalry from any long or elfeclual purfuit. Near five hundred rebels are faid to have been killed. The town of Ballynahinch was burned by the military.
Munroe fled towards the mountains without any guard or efcort, and was afterwards accidentally difcovered and taken by three orangemen, as he lay concealed in a potatoe furrow, under fome litter, in an open field, about fix miles from Ballynahinch. He oii'ered them forty guineas to let him clcape ; but the loyalty of his captors was not to be corrupted. They brought him to Hillfborough, together with a yoiuig man of the name of Kane, taken with him in the fame furrow, and who was formerly employed as a cjerk in the office of the Belfalt Northern Star.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 69

Battle of Castlebar - artillery repels French column

Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

British forces under Captain Shortall's artillery initially repelled French advances with cannon fire, striking the French column and forcing them back multiple times. However, British infantry made a fatal mistake firing too early, allowing the French to advance under cover and eventually rout the defenders.

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When they had nearly gained the fummit of the hill, a round fhot from captain Shortali's right gun (truck the head of their column, and nearly divided it in two parts. This made them fall back, feemingly in confufion ; but in forrie time advancing again, a fnot from the fecond gun ftruck them with the fame eiTecl as the firil, with this difference, that the part of the column on thcYight of where the fhot entered ruilied forward (about fifty yards) to the coyer of a houfe, on which the captain found it necelf^i.ry to direct his fire againft the main body, and foon lucceeded in driving them back. After this the enemy difappeared for a few minutes, when they advanced a third time in the fame direction, but endeavouring to deitroy the effed of the ftiot, by forcing fome cattle into their froiit. In this attempt they V. ere alfo frulfrated, and obliged to retire under cover of the hill. In a fhort time they were perceived deploying from the centre, which was performed in a quick and maflerly (tyle, with the fiiej very open. In this manner their line adv^anced, until it was contiguous to the place from whence their column had been previouHy obliged to retire. Here it was that our infantry committed a fatal miftake, in beginning to fire at fo great a diftance, that it could produce no effect, which the enemy imputing to panick, or the want of judgment, rufiied rapidly forward to fome hedges immediately in our front, under cover of which they continued to advance
154

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 94

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Castlebar in Mayo, you are on the ground of a battle fought in 1798, when Captain Shortall's artillery held off a French column that pressed up the hill. His first gun struck the head of the column and nearly split it in two, and they fell back in apparent confusion. They advanced again, and a shot from his second gun hit them with the same effect, though part of the column rushed forward about 50 yards to the cover of a house. Shortall turned his fire on their main body and drove them back once more. A third advance saw the French trying to shield themselves behind cattle, but that too failed and they retired under cover of the hill. Then they deployed from the centre, quickly and in open files, until their line reached the point their column had been forced back from before. It was here the British infantry made their fatal mistake, opening fire at such a distance that it had no effect. The French read it as panic or poor judgment and rushed forward to hedges immediately in front of the defenders, advancing under cover from there. The line that had held three times was broken by that single error of distance.

Battle of Hacketstown - garrison attacked by 13,000 rebels

Hacketstown · parish · Wicklow · 1798

On 25 June 1798 a small garrison of Antrim militia and yeomen cavalry at Hacketstown was attacked by an estimated 13,000 rebels commanded by the Byrne brothers and other leaders; cavalry retreated toward Clonmore while the town's defenders fell back to the barracks.

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At fix o'clock on the morning of the twenty-fifth,, captain Chamney, with thirty of his infantry, captain Hume, with thirty of the Talbot's-town cavalry, and lieutenant Braddell, with tv/enty-four of the Shillelah cavalry, reinforced the garrifon, and marched with, them a fhort diftance from the town, to meet the rebels, who were thought to be thirteen thoufand Itrong, and were commanded by generals Garret and William Byrne, meffieurs Perry, Mc. Mahon, Michael Reynolds, and Edward Fitzgerald, The garrifon. had gone but a fhort diftance from the town, when the rebels began to file off on each fide, for the purpofe of furrounding them* In confequence of this, t-he Talbot'S'town and Shillelah cavalry were obliged to retreat, for fear of being cut off, by the road to Clonmore, and could not afterwards return to affift in defending the town.
In the retreat, captain Hardy, a brave and intelligent officer and a nioft amiable gentleman, and four

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 32

Executioner Murtagh Bryan shoots 24 Protestants on Vinegar Hill for whiskey

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

It was reported that a common executioner named Murtagh Bryan shot twenty-four Protestants in one day on Vinegar-hill, receiving a glass of whiskey for each person he shot.

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faved. Informant further faith, that among the prifoncrs fo killed on faid day were Henry Hatton, efquire, portrieve of Ennifcorthy, in faid county, and a yeoman in captain Kichards's corps of cavalry, Thomas Colbourne, of Ennifcorthy aforefaid, vi6lualler, George Stacey, of Ennifcorthy aforefaid, two men of the name of Gill, of a place called the Oiled-gate, between Ennifcorthy and Wexford, Benjamin Stacey, of Ennifcorthy aforefaid, farmer, Jacob Minchin, of Ennifcorthy aforefaid, cabinet-maker, Edward Brilket, of Ennifcorthy, aforefaid, merchant, George Sparrow, of faid town, farmer, Jofeph Maud, of faid town, farmer, and a yeoman in captain Cormick^s corps, William Tugman, of the parifh of Ennifcorthy, weaver, and feveral dthers whofe names informant cannot at this time recolle£t. Informant faith, he heard, and which he verily believes, that a man of the name of Murtagh Bryan, a common executioner, fliot tv/enty-four proteftants in one day on Vinegar-hiil, aforefaid *, that he obtained a glafs of whifkey for every perfon fo fhot. Informant faith, lie was informed, and verily believes, that one Luke Byrne, an opulent farmer, afiaflinated many proteftants, and among others, one Samuel Ooodifon, an opulent farmer, of Glendaw, in faid county.
Siucrn before fne^ this day his

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 149

As the companion tells it

Coming up near Vinegar Hill in Wexford now. During the 1798 rebellion, it was reported that a common executioner named Murtagh Bryan shot 24 Protestants in one day on this hill, and that he received a glass of whiskey for each person he shot. Among the prisoners killed that day were Henry Hatton, portrieve of Enniscorthy; Thomas Colbourne, a yeoman in Captain Richards's cavalry corps; George Stacey and Benjamin Stacey, both of Enniscorthy; two men named Gill from a place called the Oiled-gate, between Enniscorthy and Wexford; Jacob Minchin, a cabinet-maker; Edward Brasket, a merchant; George Sparrow and Joseph Maud, both farmers; and William Tugman, a weaver from the parish of Enniscorthy. The informant could not recall the names of several others. He also reported that one Luke Byrne, an opulent farmer, assassinated many Protestants, including Samuel Goodison, a farmer of Glendaw.

Lieutenant Hunt dragged from bed and shot multiple times

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

The day after being wounded, Lieutenant Hunt was seized from his bed by rebels who shot him with three separate pistols and muskets, then he was confined with his wife in a cold guard-house for nine days before being dragged to Vinegar Hill and shot.

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That having in part recovered the feveral wounds of faid twenty-eighth inftant, he was on the day following feized and taken out of his bed by faid rebels, one of whom ran up and fired a loaded piftol at him, by which he fell ; another, fuppofing him not killed, fired a lecond piftol, and %, third fired at him, while down, with a mulket.
That having furvived all this barbarous and cruel treatment, he was dragged from his bed by faid rebels, and was afterwards confined with petitioner in a cold guard-houfe for nine days, where they had no bed, and but little food.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 151

Murder of Thomas Hall at the windmill on Vinegar Hill

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

William Fenlon dragged Thomas Hall from his wife's arms at the windmill on Vinegar Hill, shot him, and rebels dragged his body; his widow Mary Hall witnessed the killing amid a thunderstorm which rebels interpreted as celebratory.

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ON the trial of William Fenlon, the twelfth of September, 1 799, at Wexford, for the murder of Thomas Hall, a proteftant, on fehe fourteenth of June, 1798, at Vinegarhill, it appeared, on the evidence of Mary Hall, widow of the deceafed, that on the morning of that day, fhe- fent her fon with fome tea to her hufband, who was at that time a prifoner in Mr. Bayle's barn- ^ her fon returned foon after^ and told her that his father begged fhe would repair directly to him, as he had been put into the windmill, on the: top of the hill,, and was afraid of being put to death j and on going to her hufband, he faid, pointing to William Fenlon, the niiiler. Bill Fenlon is the perfon that will kili me. Fenlon then entered the mill, and defired her hufband to come out with him. She alked Fenlon, whether he would not give her hufband a trial ? H« anfwered, that he would, and that Daniel Flaherty (a man who had fwora againft her hufband) fhould try him. She faid (he was contented, provided he was tried ; and begged he would have compafTion on her and her ten children. Fenlon then, faid he would flioot him firft, and try him afterwards^ Fenlon, on that, tore her hufband out of her arms, and placed centries on each door, to keep her in. Some time after, hearing a fhot fired, fhe forced her way out of the door and faw the rebels dragging a body by the heels. Fenlon was there with a blunderbufs and an officer's fafh ; and on enquiring, fhe found that the body they were dragging was her hufband's. She took the body in her arms, during which time it tliundered violently, with much lightning ; on which the rebels fell on. their knees, and bleffed themfelves. Some of them
defiled

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 156

As the companion tells it

As you pass near Vinegar Hill, this is the ground where William Fenlon murdered Thomas Hall on the 14th of June, 1798. Hall was a Protestant, held prisoner first in Mr. Bayle's barn, then moved to the windmill on top of the hill. He sent word to his wife Mary to come quickly, fearing for his life. When she arrived, Hall pointed to Fenlon and said, "Bill Fenlon is the person that will kill me." Fenlon entered the mill and ordered Hall out. Mary asked whether her husband would get a trial. Fenlon said he would, and that Daniel Flaherty, who had sworn against Hall, should try him. She begged him to have compassion on her and her ten children. Fenlon answered that he would shoot Hall first and try him afterwards. He tore Hall from her arms and posted sentries at each door to keep her in. She heard a shot fired, forced her way out, and saw the rebels dragging a body by the heels. Fenlon stood there with a blunderbuss and an officer's sash. The body was her husband's. She took it in her arms, and as she did, it thundered violently with much lightning. The rebels fell to their knees and blessed themselves.

Popish bishop refuses to intervene in Wexford massacre

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

A rebel captain, shocked by the massacre, ran to the popish bishop of Wexford, who was drinking wine after dinner, and begged him to save the prisoners, but the bishop refused, saying it was no affair of his and that the people must be gratified.

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That v/hile this work was going on, a rebel captain, being fhocked at the cries of the victims, ran to the popifn bifhop, who was then drinking wine w^ith the utmofl: cornpofare after dinr^r ; and knowing that he could flop the maffacre fooner than any other perfon, entreated him, for the mercy of God, to come and fave the prifoner^. He in a very uticon^ cerned manner replied, " It was ho afFaif of his and requeued the captain w^ould fit down and take a glafs of wine with him : adding, " That the people muff be gratified.'' The captain refufed the bifhop's invitation ; and, filled with abhorrence and diftrefs of mind, w^alked fdently away*
Mrs. O'Neil went to the doctor to complain of |:he murder of her nephew, Mr. Turner, on the bridge : He was one of the hrll perfons taken out of the prifon-fhip ; yet do6tor Caulfield did not interfere, nor did Mr. Corrin, though he was prefent, till Mr. Kellett fent a melTenger for him ; and there were m^any perfons malTacred in the interval between Mrs. O'Neil's complaint and the deliverance of Mr. Kellett.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 12

As the companion tells it

As you come through Wexford, this is the town where, in 1798, a massacre was carried out on prisoners while the popish bishop sat drinking wine after dinner. A rebel captain, shocked at the cries of the victims, ran to the bishop and begged him, for the mercy of God, to come and save the prisoners. The bishop replied it was no affair of his, asked the captain to sit down and take a glass of wine, and added that the people must be gratified. The captain refused and walked away in silence. Mrs. O'Neil went to Doctor Caulfield to complain of the murder of her nephew Mr. Turner on the bridge, one of the first persons taken from the prison-ship, but Caulfield did not interfere until Mr. Kellett sent a messenger for him, and many persons were massacred in the interval.

Rebel defeat at Clonard garden mount

Clonard · town · Meath · 1798

Lieutenant Tyrrell's party, reinforced, drove the rebels from the garden mount at Clonard in fierce fighting; the Northumberland and Kinnegad corps killed many in flight, resulting in about 150 rebel deaths, one of the most notable yeoman victories of the rebellion.

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Mr. Richard Allen received a ball which paffed through his arm, and lodged in his fide.* At laftj lieutenant Tyrrell's party, after havinor difplayed prodigies of valour, routed the party on the mount, and -drove them out of the garden.; and the Northumberland and Kinnegad corps killed many of them in their iiight. This vidory, obtained by a handful of Toyklifts over a numerous body of rebels, was one of the mofl fplendid achievements, perform. ed in the courfe of the rebellion. No lefs than one hundred and fifty of the rebels were killed, and a great many wounded.
During the engagement, th^ rebels plundered the houfes of lieutenant Tyrrell atKilreny, and Mr. George Tyrreil at Ballinderry, and deftroyed the whole of the iurniture in both.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 42

As the companion tells it

Coming up near Clonard in Meath, a town that saw fierce fighting in 1798. Rebels held a garden mount here, and Lieutenant Tyrrell's party, outnumbered, fought them hand to hand. Mr. Richard Allen took a ball through his arm that lodged in his side. Tyrrell's men routed the rebels and drove them from the garden, and the Northumberland and Kinnegad corps killed many as they fled. About 150 rebels died and many more were wounded. The source calls it one of the most splendid loyalist achievements of the whole rebellion. During the fighting, the rebels plundered the houses of Lieutenant Tyrrell at Kilreny and Mr. George Tyrrell at Ballinderry, destroying all the furniture in both.

Memoirs of the different rebellions in Ireland, from the arrival of the English : also, a particular detail of that which broke out the XXIIId of May, MDCCXCVIII : with the history of the conspiracy which preceded it (vol. 2)

The stories, best first

Massacre of prisoners on Wexford Bridge

Father John Murphy captured, taken to Tullow, and executed

Execution of General Munroe at Lisburn

Fourteen killed when troops fire on Dingle mob

Highland sentinel dies defending the new gaol at Castlebar

Keugh's trial and his brother's suicide after Dixon's massacre order

Plan to burn Protestant women and children at Killan church

Death of Father Clinch, Enniscorthy priest, at Vinegar Hill

Rebel camp attacked and carried at Vinegar Hill

Trial and execution of Mrs Dale's murderers at Naas

Captain Chambers bayoneted and abused by rebel women at Castlebar bridge

Conn and Salter murdered by treacherous former servant

Defence of Hacketstown barrack and Mc.Ghee's house against rebel siege

Lord O'Neil mortally wounded near Antrim during retreat

Massacre at Prosperous during the 1798 rising

Massacre of Protestant prisoners at Vinegar Hill rebel camp

Murder of John White and others buried alive on Vinegar Hill

Murder of Mr Heyden near Lett's house in Enniscorthy

Murder of Reverend Samuel Heydon in Enniscorthy street

Mutilation and burial alive of William Abraham near Ballyconra

Order to bring out prisoners at Wexford gaol

Prisoners threatened with execution in Wexford gaol

Twelve girls abused overnight by rebels at Killan

Capture of Munroe near Ballynahinch

Execution of four assailants at Killan village

Father Corrin intervenes to halt the massacre

General Moore's entry into Wexford prevents massacre

Arthur Williams captured and later murdered at the Ridge

Bishop Bedell's funeral honoured by rebels in Kilmore

Black flag raised on Custom House Quay, Wexford

Burning of Nickson's house at Coolkenno and murder of postillion

Defense of the turret at Clonard by Lieutenant Tyrrell's yeomen

Father Philip Roche hanged on Wexford bridge

General Bellew's execution at Killala

Jordan and Tweedy burned at Feathard

Lord Lucan's house wrecked; debate on massacring Protestants

Massacre of ninety-seven prisoners on Wexford bridge

Massacre of Protestants after the battle of Arklow

Mrs Fenton casts bullets from pewter plates during Hacketstown siege

Murder of yeoman Thomas Scammadon near Aglish

Murder of yeoman Thomas Scammodin near Aglish village

Napper Tandy's French Landing at Rutland Island

Plot to massacre Protestants of Athy foiled

Rev. Robert Burrowes murdered at Kyle after siege

Thomas Dixon and wife oversee the bridge massacre

Twenty-three prisoners shot at Vinegar Hill after priest's harangue

United Irishmen Society founded at Eustace Street, Dublin

John Gill of Monglass stabbed after refusing to renounce Protestant faith

Murder of Mrs Dale near Dowling's habitation

Murder of Robert Davis near Tullow

Murder of Sergeant Johnston at Newmarket during prisoner rescue

Priest Kearns as curate near Clonard before rebellion

Battle of Ballynahinch and burning of the town

Battle of Castlebar - artillery repels French column

Battle of Hacketstown - garrison attacked by 13,000 rebels

Executioner Murtagh Bryan shoots 24 Protestants on Vinegar Hill for whiskey

Lieutenant Hunt dragged from bed and shot multiple times

Murder of Thomas Hall at the windmill on Vinegar Hill

Popish bishop refuses to intervene in Wexford massacre

Rebel defeat at Clonard garden mount