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)

Trial of James Beaghan for Heyden's murder

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798–1799

James Beaghan, one of the suspected murderers of Mr Heyden, was tried and convicted at the instance of father Sutton nearly a year after the crime, though Mrs Heyden denied he was among the killers.

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

Whiteboy rescue party assembles at Clogheen

Clogheen · town · Tipperary · 1764

Nicholas Sheehy and a group including Michael Mahony, Edmund Prendergast, James 'buck' Farrell, Edmund Burke and others gathered at Clogheen to plan the rescue of whiteboy prisoners being taken to Kilkenny gaol, devising a scheme involving a false coffin.

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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

Attack on Enniscorthy by Father John Murphy

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

Enniscorthy, garrisoned by loyalist forces, was attacked by rebels under Father John Murphy. The garrison and loyalists retreated, and barbarous excesses and murders were committed in the town.

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Ennifcorthy, number of the garrifon there, i. 429 — nefcriptiou of, 430 — Attacked by general father John Murphy, i. 432 — Retreat of the garrifon and the loyalifts, i. 438— -Barbarous excelTes and murders committed there, i. 439, 4 4o--The rebel!? form a camp near Vinegar-hill, 441.
Erjkine, counfellor, the copfpiracy encouraged by part of hi 3

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 195

Attack on minister's house at Oulart

Oulart · town · Wexford · 1798

The rebel forces marched to Oulart and attacked a minister's house seeking arms, then laid siege and killed him and his men. They burned his house and the houses of Orangemen in the area.

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26. From thence came to Oulart, a country \'illage adjoining, when the republick attacked a minifter's houfe for arms, and was denied of, laid fiege immediately to it, and killed him and all his forces •, the fame day burned his fcoufe and all the Orangemen's houfes in that and all the ;;djoining pari the 5 in that part of the country.
The fame day a part of the army, to the amount of one hundred and four of infantry and two troops of cavalry, attacked the republick on Oulart-hili, when the military were repulfed with the lofs of one hundred and twelve men, and the republick four killed ; and then went to a hill called Corrigrua, where the republick encamped that night, and from thence went to a towm called Camolin, which was taken without reliilance, and the fame day took another towm and fate of a bifliop. * At three in the afternoon, the fame dav, they laid fiege to Ennifcorthy, v. hen they were oppoled bv an army of feven hundred men, then thev were forced to fet both ends of the town on fire, and then took the town in the fpace of one hour, and then encamped on

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 143

Attack on Mr Bagenal's house

Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown) · town · Carlow · 1797

Rebels proceeded to the house of Mr Bagenal, a former county representative, but were held off by three Protestant yeomen firing from behind an earth bank until an accidental shot killed one of the rebels named Paine.

Read the passage

A gentleman paffmg thro' Leighlinbridge, faid, he made, it a rule to give the people a drink j and having ordered a barrel of ale for them, the confpirators in great numbers, 'who feemed prepared for the bufmefs, mounted one of their drummers on the barrel, and proceeded in regular array, and ^vith fome arms, to the houfe o,f a man at Money beg, who had fworn examinations againft fome of them, and murdered him in his bed ; they then proceeded to the houfe of Mr. Bagenal, a gentleman vidio had formerly reprefented the county, but having kept behind a bank of earth, it protedled ' them from the fhot of three of his proteftant yeomen, who kept up a conftant fire on them, until an accidental fhot, from a blunderbufs of one of their own party, killed one of the united men, of the inaufpicious name of Paine.
Six of his popifh yeomen were pofled outiide his houfe, . behind a wall, (for he kept the protefbants within it,) commanded by his lieutenant, who afterwards recommended to Mr. Bagenai, not to depend on a papift, though he, and his two fons, were of that perfuafion, as he could not prevail . on the three others to fire on the aflailants ; and he declared, that he never would ferve with any of them.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 135

Battle of Castlecomer begins under cover of dense fog

Castlecomer · town · Kilkenny · 1798

On Sunday morning, a large rebel force of eight to ten thousand advanced on Castlecomer under thick fog, forming a crescent formation, catching the reconnoitring troops by surprise before the fog cleared.

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About four o'clock, the rebels arrived at a place called Gurteen, near three miles from Caftlecomer, where they heard niafs. It being St. John's day, they had prayers again about two miles off, where they halted. They had proceeded under cover of the fog, fo that the troops, who were fent to reconnoitre, v/ere fired on before they could fee them. At length the fog began to difperfe a little, which opened to the ailionilhed troops a view of not lefs than from eight to ten thoufand rebels, thofe armed with mufKets in the front, the pikemen in the rear. I'he main body had halted -on the road, and two vtings were extending themfelves on each fide, the whole forming a crefcent. In order to underftand the perilous fituation of our troops, it is necelTary to obferve, that for nearly two miles of the road to the town of Cafllecomer, there is a long range of wall on each fide ; and about half a mile of it is planted. While the fog was fo thick, the troops could not perceive that the wings of the rebel army had confiderably fpread themfelves, and were advancing in a fmart trot to furround the town, while the main body remained ftationed in the road ; fo that captain Green, judging from their numbers that all refiftance was friiitlefs, ordered a retreat ; and the rebels, Vv^ho had got before them and lined the walls, kept up a fmart hre on them. The retreat was very diforderly ; and many of the infantry were overturned by the cavalry, and left expofed to the rebels fire.
An inftance of uncommon audacity occurred within a few perches of the town : A rebel captain, with a green fafh, rufhed out from a by-road on horfeback, and accolHng the honourable captain James Butler, brother to the earl of Ormond, at the head

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 49

Burning of examinant's house and concealment at Dranay

Dranagh · townland · Wexford · 1798

Rebels headed by John Murphy and Edward Roche burned Samuel Whealey's house at Dranay while he hid nearby in a ditch. He later hid for a month in a concealed hole in the bawn of his burned house, fed secretly at night by his family.

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a hole In the bawn of faid houfe, and having laid fome oak planks thereon, and having covered the fame vi^ith ftraw, and afterwards with the afhes of his houfe fo burned, examinant lay concealed in faid hole for about the fpace of one month j and that examinant during that time was fupplied by his wife and daughters with food, but in the night only, left he fliould be difcovered ; examinant faith, that during his concealment, the rebels came often and examined the ruins of faid houfe, and the fields and ditches in its vicinity, for examinant, declaring at the fame time, that they would put him to death j and that the faid rebels often faid during their fearch, at one time that he was a bloody orangeman, though examinant faith he never faw an orangeman, nor knew what they meant by that appellation, except that examinant has been univerfally informed that they meant a proteftant by the word orangeman. That one day that the faid rebels went to the ruins of faid houfe, in queft of faid examinant, they the faid rebels knocked down the fon of examinant, of the age of nine years, with the but-end of a fire-lock, becaufe the fiiid fon refufed to point out where his father lay concealed, and that faid rebels put examinant's fon on his knees three diiFerent times, and fworc they would fhoot him, unlefs he would do fo, but that his faid fon declared his ignorance thereof, Examinant faith, that during his concealment at Dranay aforefaid, a great number df proteftants were fliot contiguous to examinant's houfe by faid rebels, as they were flying acrofs the country from various quarters from the mercilefs rage of faid rebels ; and that Michael Shea, Anthony Thackberry, Samuel Judd., Benjamin Judd, Clem.ent GofF, James Shaw and Henry Lancafter, were of the number of proteftants fo fliot or killed with pikes. That when the king's troops were vi6lorious at Vinegar-hill, examinant's daughters called to his reUef three of the Ancient Britons, who conveyed examinant to Oulart aforefaid, on horfeback, as examinant was unable to walk, having had a bad fever from his confinement, and that he was afterwards conveyed by his two fons to Gorey, in faid county, where Mr. Peppard gave examinant a fmall houfe, as examinant's houfe at Dranay aforefaid, and all his fubftance, were deftroyed.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 144

Captain Cills's Resistance at Killala Castle Gate

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

As the French entered the castle courtyard and took prisoners, Captain Cills put up spirited resistance, wounding the leading officer twice before shutting the gate.

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Mr, Edwin Stock, and many other prifoners, appeared at the gate, following general Humbert. The enemy entered the co\irt yard of the caftle, and made prifoners captain Cills and a party of the prince of Wales's fencibles, but not without a very fpirited refinance on the part of the captain, who wounded, in two places, the officer v/ho led them on, and then fhut the gate. After having entered the yard, they called for the bifhop ; and on his lordfnip's appearing, the general declared, that he came to give them hberty, and to free them from the Englilh yoke.
They put in requifition all his lordfhip's horfes, and fome of his cow^s and fheep, faying, at the fame time, that he fhould be paid for them by the Irifh diredory, which would be immediately eftabhftied in Connaught.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 79

As the companion tells it

Coming up now through Killala in Mayo. In 1798, when General Humbert and the French arrived here, Mr. Edwin Stock and other prisoners followed the general to the castle gate. The French entered the courtyard and took Captain Cills and a party of the Prince of Wales's Fencibles prisoner, but Cills put up a spirited fight. He wounded the officer who led them on, in two places, and then shut the gate. Once inside the yard, the French called for the bishop. When his lordship appeared, the general declared he had come to give them liberty and free them from the English yoke. They requisitioned all the bishop's horses and some of his cows and sheep, saying he would be paid by the Irish directory that would be established in Connaught.

Captain Russel shot after capture at Tubbercurry

Tobercurry · town · Sligo · 1798

Captain Russel of the prince of Wales's fencibles, though entitled to French protection as a prisoner, was shot in the back by a rebel at Tubbercurry and died a few days later in his seventieth year.

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Captain Ruflfel, of the prince of Wales's fencibles, was taken prifoner at Tubbercurry. and though as fuch he was entitled to the protedion of the French, a ruthlefs affaffin among the rebels Ihot him in the back, and dying a few days after, in his feventieth year, he terminated a life which had been devoted to the fervice of his king and country for above fifty years.
Befides the rebels who marched from Cafllebar with the French, a confiderable boiiy of them was fent from Ballina acrofs the mountains, to meet them at Tubbercurry, with eighcy proteftant prifoners, whom they intended to get rid of, by putting them in the front rank, having infultingly told them fo ; but their diftrefs for food was fo great, that they fent ' them back under a rebel guard.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 97

Coffey flogged and hanged at Tullamore barrack

Tullamore · town · Offaly · 1797–1798

A captain named Coffey was flogged repeatedly at Tullamore, confessed under duress, was later found still conspiring, and was hanged and buried in the barrack stable.

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Coffey, a captain, was taken up, and threatened to be whipped, but after a folemn invocation to the Almighty, declared his innocence. He Hill remained obdurate, after receiving feventy-iive lafhes. Next morning, when he was on the point of receiving feventy-five more, he fent for general Dunn, and confefled that he had been fworn, bur denied that he had ever aded with the rebels, on which the general difmilTed him ; and yet within a fortnight after, he was engaged in a committee of United Irifhmen, and deeply concerned in a confpiracy to attack the king*s troops at Philipftown and Tullamore, and had fworn his fon, a yeoman, to join in it. Having been conviiSled of thefe crimes^ he was hanged, and buried in the ftable of the barrack.
On the trial of Andrew Ryan, a fhopkeeper, it appeared in evidence, and which he acknowledged himfelf, that he had been a member of the fociety fmce the year 1792, and that the obje6l of it was to fubvert the exifting govern^ ment. He muft have meant the defenders, as the United Irilhmen had not attempted to organize the King's county at that time.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

Corporal Orange executed for his name at Kellymount circle

Kellymount · townland · Kilkenny · 1798

Walter Devereux, acting as commander, ordered Corporal Orange dragged from a circle of about eight thousand rebels and shot, mocking his surname before killing six more soldiers and two dragoons.

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eight thoufand rebels, when Devereux ordered corporal Orange to be dragged out of the circle and ihot, having faid, infultingly to him, " Orange by name, and Orange by nature."
They proceeded in the fame manner to put to death fix of the Wexford regiment, and two dragoons : That they remained prifoners with them till the twenty-fixth of June, when the rebels were routed with great flaughter at Kilcomney, near Gore's-bridge, where the Wexford foldiers made their efcape : That while they remained prifoners with the rebels, they had no other food but raw meat and water.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 46

Croagh Patrick prophesied as place of refuge

near Croagh Patrick · mountain or mountain range · Mayo · 1798

A prophecy circulated among refugee Catholic families that the mountain of Croagh Patrick near Westport would be the safest refuge during the coming calamities, drawing pilgrims and those seeking protection.

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In one of thefe it was afferted," that the upper part of the county of Mayo, particularly the mountain- of Croagh Patrick, near Weftport, ^ would be the fafefl place of refuge, whenever thefe calamities would commence ; which induced numbers of people to repair there, fome for protedion, others to perform pilgrimage, and to do other pious offices, as it has always been confidered as a holy place.
Thefe prophecies f have a very great effed on the minds of the lower clafs of people, who are perfuaded that the events predicted muft neceffarily come to pafs ; and they were ready to catch at every rumour which feemed to ccrrefpond with the ideas which they had infpired. They breathed nothing but death, bloodfhed and devaftation, painted the rivers as ruaning crimfon with blood, and a peftilence raging through the country, occalioned by the effluvia of putrid carcafes, which remained unburied ; with every other horror which a dreadful civil war produces.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 72

Executioner Murtagh Keane said to have killed 300 on Vinegar Hill

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

A footnote records that Murtagh Keane, described as the common executioner, is said to have put three hundred persons to death on Vinegar Hill during the rebellion.

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The fon of Luke Byrne, a man of wealth and education. \ The common executioner, who it is faid j'ut three hundred perfon? to -rtcath on Vinegar-hill.
A P P E N D I X, No. XIX. 15. 385

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 156

As the companion tells it

Vinegar Hill lies ahead, and in 1798 it became a place of mass killing. A footnote records that Murtagh Keane, called the common executioner, is said to have put 300 persons to death here during the rebellion. The same note identifies him as the son of Luke Byrne, a man of wealth and education.

Eyewitness hides in plantation as rebels march through Edgeworthstown

Edgeworthstown · town · Longford · 1798

A gentleman of Edgeworthstown gave a firsthand account of hiding in a plantation on his lawn while a huge body of pikemen marched past, during which a neighbouring Protestant was struck and wounded by a pike near him.

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my fervant, that the rebels In a very numerous body were niarchmg to Edgeworthftown, by the Granard and not the Dublin road, which would bring them within one hundred yards of my door. Before their arrival, I concealed myfelf in a little plantation on my lawn, where divine providence proteded me till morning. I faw almofl: a forefl: of pikes nearly opposite my houfe. Some rebels on horfeback pailed within ' about thirty yards of me, and about three times that diftance, a proteflant, my next neighbour, who had juJl: fought an afylum in a fhady part of my Jawn, received a ftroke of a pike in the head, which, though partially broken by the branches, cut him feverely, and almofl covered him with blood. I v*'as
all ear" in my place of conceahnent, and fhunned with the diicord and confufion of martial mulick, firing, fhouting, crafhing of windows, and furniture, and fuch clamorous exultation as might be fuppofed to iffue from a numerous mob in fo new a fituation, eager to pra^life republican virtues. It was late in the evening, and jufh as the greater body of the re- \ bels had retired, a detachment of lord Oxmantown's yeomanry, being accidentally near the town, and hearing of the outrages committed by the rebels, made a rapid charge through the flreet, and Ihot a few of the flragglers without any lofs on their part, except one yeoman wounded in the face with a pike. Of the particulars of this tranfadion I was ignorant till next morning ; for only once in the night I ventured to walk by my houfe, and, perceiving the windov/s broken, I again returned to conceal myfelf in the flrrubbery till morning.''

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg

As the companion tells it

As you come through Edgeworthstown in Longford, this is where a gentleman hid in a plantation on his own lawn one evening in 1798, while a huge body of pikemen marched past on the Granard road. He watched from his hiding place and saw what he called "almost a forest of pikes" near his house. Rebels on horseback passed within thirty yards of him, and his next neighbour, a Protestant who had sought shelter in a shady part of the lawn, was struck on the head with a pike. The blow was partly broken by the branches but cut him badly and left him almost covered in blood. From his concealment the gentleman heard firing, shouting, the crashing of windows and furniture, and what he described as clamorous exultation from a numerous mob. Late in the evening, as the greater body of rebels retired, a detachment of Lord Oxmantown's yeomanry made a rapid charge through the street and shot a few stragglers, losing only one yeoman wounded in the face by a pike. He stayed hidden until morning, venturing out only once in the night to find the windows of his house broken, then returning to the shrubbery until daylight.

Father Edward Murphy orders protestants to rebel camp at Carrig

Carrig · townland · Wexford · 1798

At Carrig, father Edward Murphy told the captured protestants they must go to the rebel camp where victims were daily massacred, but the sentence was suspended a day due to their pleading.

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AS doctor Caulfield, in his reply, has denied what I have faid of father Edward Murphy in vol. i. p 522, and is become his apologift, I think right to obferve, that the very refpe£lable protellants who were eye-w^itnefles of the fa£ts which I have related of that reverend gentleman, have afTured me, that they are willing to verify them by affidavit, fliould 3t be thought neceflary ; and in addition to them, a gentleman has informed me of the following circumftances : He attempted to fly to Duncannon fort from a part of the country mzY Foulkes's mill, at a time that gangs of popifh aflaffms were fearching it for proteitanrs ; but finding the fearpafs over the Brmnow guarded by a large body of pikemen, he repaired to the houfe of a proteftant friend at Barrietiiown, where he was protected ; but, after a few days, a party of thefe ruiBans furrounded the houfe, and infilled that he and his friend Oiould appear before father Edward Murphy. On the firft appearance of the pikemen, they declared that they were in queft of the out-liers, meaning the few proteflants who, fcartered over the country, had not been able to effeS: their efcape. On appearing before Murphy, at Carrig, he told them that they mud repair to the camp, where they would probably have been immolated, with the numerous victims who were dally maflacred there ; but they fufpended the execution of his fevere orders, for one day, by their piteous fupplications ; and, very fortunately for them, the arlival of the king's troops next day at Foulkes^s mill, having occafioned a general alarm, all the pikemen in the adjacent
country

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 189

Father Sweeny's Service to the French and Execution at Castlebar

Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

Father Sweeny of Westport joined the French at Killala, tried unsuccessfully to sway a loyal priest's parishioners near Ballina, and was later tried by court-martial and hanged at Castlebar on strong evidence.

Read the passage

Sweeny was apprehended and tried by a courtmartial at Caftlebar, where he was convided on the mofl unqueflionable evidence ; and the teRimony of the before-m.entioned loyal pried tended much to bring him to the fliameful and well-merited death which he there fuffered, having been hanged for his crimes.
From the very great contempt which the French fliewed for the bigotry of the common Irilh papifts, and the ftrong oppofition which they gave to their defire of maffacring and plundering proteflants, it is aftonifliing that they flocked to them in fuch numbers. The oflicers were filled with amazement on hearing the Irifh recruits fay, when they ofl'ered their fer\'ice, that they came to take arms for France and the blelfed Virgin !

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 84

As the companion tells it

You are passing through Castlebar in Mayo. In 1798, a priest named Father Sweeny of Westport joined the French after they landed at Killala. He tried and failed to turn a loyal priest's parishioners near Ballina to the French cause. Sweeny was then apprehended and tried by court martial here at Castlebar, where he was convicted on what the record calls

Feathard protestants saved by mock conversion to mass

Fethard · town · Wexford · 1798

Some of the protestant inhabitants of Feathard saved their lives by going to mass and assuming the semblance of sincere conversion, advised to do so by the humane Father Doyle as a means of preserving their lives.

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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

French soldiers billeted with Castlebar resident during occupation

Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

A Castlebar resident's account describes five French soldiers of diverse international backgrounds who lodged in his house during the French occupation, demanding food and drink but ultimately protecting the household from rebel plunderers.

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A refpeclable inhabitant of Calllebar gives the following account of five French foldiers who refided in his houfe, and of fome other particulars : " When they entered my houfe, I implored them to fpare the lives of me and my wife : They raifed us fror^ our knees, and faid, " Vive I'hey demanded bread, beef, wine and beer, and by fupplying them with thole articles, as far as my purfe went, I obtained their good will. The rebels who accompanied them at firft plundered us of A^arious articles ; but one day when they revifited us, I alarmed my foreign inmates, who expelled and chaflifed them feverely. One of them, by name Philip Sheens, was from Holland ; I gave him my watch, but he kindly returned it. Another, Bartholomew Baillie, from Paris, was mild, learned, and rather filent ; he had been a prieft, but on the overthrew of his order, became a ibldier : He denied a future exiftence. One Ballifceau. a Spaniard, was as intrepid as Hannibal : Since the age of fifteen, he had followed the profeffion of a foldier : He had been a prifoner in Pruflia, in Paris, and in London : He had been confined in a dungeon at Conftantinople : * He crolfed the Alps with Bonaparte, and fought under him in Italy : |Iis "body, head and face were covered with wounds :
He

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 95

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Castlebar in Mayo, you are on ground the French held in 1798. A respectable resident of the town left an account of five French soldiers who lodged in his house during the occupation. When they entered he begged them to spare his life and his wife's. They raised him from his knees and demanded bread, beef, wine and beer. He supplied them as far as his purse went, and earned their good will. Rebels who came with the French plundered the house of various articles, but when they returned another day the foreign soldiers expelled them and chastised them severely. The five were a diverse lot. Philip Sheens was from Holland; the resident gave him his watch, and he kindly returned it. Bartholomew Baillie, from Paris, was mild, learned, and rather silent. He had been a priest, but when his order was overthrown he became a soldier, and denied a future existence. A Spaniard named Balliscean was as intrepid as Hannibal. He had been a soldier since the age of 15, a prisoner in Prussia, Paris, and London, confined in a dungeon at Constantinople. He crossed the Alps with Bonaparte and fought under him in Italy. His body, head and face were covered with wounds.

Garret Murphy's account of rebel movements between Ross, Carrick, Clonmel and Waterford

New Ross · townland · Wexford · 1798

At Garret Murphy's court martial, evidence showed he had been with Mr. Colclough in Kilkenny before going to Carrick and Clonmel to prepare people for rising, and that he was later concealed in a ditch near Ross where he fired at two gentlemen riding toward Waterford, wounding one believed to be young Mr. Tottenham.

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On the trial of Garret Murphy, by court martial, held at Waterford, the twenty-fifth of July, 1798, captain Lowrie, of the thirteenth regiment, prefident, it was proved, that Mr. Thomas Anthony, architect, who had employed the prifoner, pretended that he had been an United Irifhman, for the purpofe of learning his fecrets, and that Murphy informed him a few days after the battle of Rofs, that he had been, previous to that event, with Mr. Colclough, in the county of Kilkenny, and that T^r. C. having left him, went to Carrick and Clonmell, to prepare the people there for rifmg : That he told Mr. Colclough of the infurre6lion intended in Waterford, and that he mufi go there to fave a particular friend : That he was fure the king's troops would be compleatly defeated, as there were fo many United Iriflimen encamped in the county of Wexford. He told Jiim that there were arm.s in the outlets of the city of Waterford : That he had been concealed in a ditch in the county of Kilkenny, near Rofs, and miffed fire twice at two gentlemen, who rode by in their way to Waterford ; and that one of them, when tliey proceeded a little farther, was* (hot in the arm : He believed one to he young Mr. Tottenham; that Waterford was the object of the United Iriflimen, when they had defeated the king's troops at Rofs; but that city had nothing to fear, unlefs they fucceeded there. Mr. Anthony gave a mofl excellent chara£ler of him, but fanaticifm had made him a rebel.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

General Loftus's surprise flank assault on Vinegar Hill

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

General Loftus, detached to occupy a walled park on the side of Vinegar-hill, surprised the rebels by rapidly breaking through stone walls and hauling guns up the steep hill, then firing grapeshot into rebel lines with devastating effect.

Read the passage

When they had arrived at the beginning of the accent of Vinegar-hill, general Loftus was detached by general Duff to occupy a green hill in a park enclofed with ftone walls, which was on the fide, and compofed a part of Vinegar-hill. | General Loftilis furprifed the rebels by the' celerity of this oovem.ent, becaufe the hill was fleep y and the ground which he occupied there was divided by ftone walls ; but by breaking open gaps, he had two guns carried over at firft, and foon after four more, by having untackled them from the horfes. From this pofition he was able to fire into the lower line of the enemy, rather on his left, with fuch eifeQ:, that eighty-five of them were afterwards found in their trenches killed with grape-lliot. General Loftus made his m^ovement by a narrov>' road on the left, diverging from the main one, and then rapidly afcended the hilL At the fame time, generals Lake, Dundas and Wilford, with colonel Campbell's light infantry, were advancing up the hill II on the fouth-eaft fjde, and were firmly oppofed by the rebels, who maintained a very brifk
fire

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 5

As the companion tells it

Coming up near Vinegar Hill now. In 1798, General Loftus was detached by General Duff to take a green hill in a walled park on the side of this hill, and the rebels were not expecting him to move so fast. The ground was steep and cut through with stone walls, but his men broke open gaps and hauled two guns up first, then four more, untacking them from the horses. From up there he fired grapeshot into the lower line of the rebels on his left, and 85 of them were found dead in their trenches afterwards. At the same time, generals Lake, Dundas and Wilford, with Colonel Campbell's light infantry, were pushing up the south-east side, and the rebels held them with a brisk fire.

Girls rescued from custody bound for Killan prison

Killan · townland · Cavan · 1798

Michael M'Grath testified he saw five Protestant girls in custody of Christopher Drohan and others, being taken to Killan prison, and rescued them at risk of his life.

Read the passage

that he afked Drohan, where he was conducing them? that he anfwered to Killan prifoii ; and that at the rifk of his Ufe, he refcued them from faid perfons.
Rachael Murphy, Anne and Hannah James fwore on the trial of thefe men, that Drohan, while they were his prifoners, informed them, that their intention was (meaning himfelf and his party) to ravifh them, viz. the faid five girls, that night, and to burn them next morning ; and that, previous to this, their fathers had been murdered.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 37

Lewis Bulger's conversation with Mrs Heydon on the rebellion's aims

Ferns · townland · Wexford · 1798

Lewis Bulger, former butler to the Heydons and active plunderer of their house at Ferns, visited Mrs Heydon in Enniscorthy after her husband's death and spoke of the end of law, forced conversion, and claimed Fr. John Murphy caught red-hot bullets in his hand as proof of divine favour for the rebellion.

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A FEW days after the death of Mr. Heydon, and while • Mrs. Heydon was in the utmoft diftrefs in Ennifcorthy, Lewis Bulger vifited her, told her he would fave her jaunting-car, and convey her in it to her own houfe ; fhe faid file had no houfe, as it belonged to the bifliop, until lie appointed another iricumbent. " The bifhop !" faid Bulger with much contempt ; ** the bifhop has no houfe now ! it may be mine, or that man's," pointing to a pikeman who fat in the room •, " but the bifhop has nothing to do v/ith it *, there will be no laws now, for in about three months, every thing will be fettled in a much better way than they were." He told her, that fhe might live happily again in her own houfe, provided fhe would become a Roman catholick, and be furrounded by none but by perfons of that religion. She anfwered, that ihe had charity for perfons of every religion, but that fhe would Hve and die in the faith in which fhe was brought up. Bulger then faid, you. are liable to be fhot if you appear in the flreet ; there will be but one religion on the face of the earth ; this is all the handy work of God; and as a proof of the divine interpofition in favour of the rebellion, he faid, " Father John Murphy catches red-hot bullets in his hand."* If a priefl were to blefs a piece of meat, the mofl hungry dog would not touch it ; this is a comm^on opinion among the lower dafs of papifts : A priefl can bring a lighted candle out of a tub of water : He faid to her, fure you won't remain there ; fhe anfwered, that llie had no houfe to go to, but that fhe hoped foon to meet his mafler in heaven t On which he obferved, " I will promife you, that you will never meet hijn there r"
"What

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 150

Lieutenant Hunt's body left exposed on the road near Vinegar Hill

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

After being dragged to the rebel camp at Vinegar Hill and shot near a prison there, Lieutenant Hunt's body was left exposed on the public highway for many days, the rebels refusing to allow burial or the body to be given to his widow.

Read the passage

That from thence he was dragged to the rebel camp at Vinegar-hill *, from thence to a prifon near faid hill, where he was fhot ; that after his body lay expoied on the publick high road for many days, not being fulFered by faid rebels to be buried or.given up to petitioner.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 151

As the companion tells it

As you pass near Vinegar Hill, you are passing through a place where, in 1798, rebels dragged Lieutenant Hunt to their camp here, then to a prison near the hill and shot him. His body was left lying on the public road for many days, and the rebels would not allow it to be buried or given to his widow.

Marquis of Waterford's offer at Hollywood and its house burned in retaliation

Hollywood · parish · Wicklow · 1798

The Marquis of Waterford went to his mansion at Hollywood and offered to rebuild burned houses of the lower classes if they returned to allegiance, but instead his house was burned on 13 September.

Read the passage

After the rebellion had exifted feme time, and had fjTread univerfal defolation in that country, the marquis of Waterford repaired to his beautiful manfion at Hollywood^ and, with his ufual humairlty and berrevolence, announced that he would rebuild all the houfes of the lov»'er clafs of people which had been burned or deftroyed, provided they -.rould return to their allcgiaiKe, ?f!?d accept the amnefty hum.anely offered to them bv government ; but, inllead of being touched with gratitude by his generous offer, they burned his houfe on the thirteenth of September.
John Mulligan, of Paddock, in faid county, depofed, tlie twenty-firft of May, 1798, before lord Powerfcourt, lord Monck, and John Edwards, efquire, that on the night Vv*hen the report was fpread that the orangemen were out to murder the Rcm.an cntholicks, he was met and informed by George Coleman of the Long-hill, that the orangemen were to maffacre all the Roman catholicks •, and that he fhould not get intelligence of it, unlefs he was fworn an United IriOiman •, and that he was accordinglv fworn by the faid Coleman, to whom he gave foon after 6d. to buy iron to make a pike head. The faid Coleman, and others, '■ cut fome afh trees on lord IMonck's land to make pike handles ; and faid, that they expected the French would land and gain the battle ; and then that they would have their land cheap. ^

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 140

Massacres presided over by father Roche on Vinegar Hill

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

Father Philip Roche was present and presided at many massacres on Vinegar Hill during the rebel occupation, according to the author's account disputed by Gordon.

Read the passage

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

Up ahead is Vinegar Hill, the high ground outside Enniscorthy where the rebels entrenched themselves during the rising of 1798. A bitter dispute hangs over this place. One account calls Father Philip Roche, the rebel commander in chief, an inhuman savage who incited the extirpation of heretics and was present and presided at many massacres on this hill. The same writer says Roche was later hanged on the bridge of Wexford for various crimes. But a Protestant clergyman named Gordon, who wrote his own history of the rebellion, became what the first author calls Roche's panegyrist, saying he could find no foundation for any charge of cruelty and had heard many instances of his active humanity. The first author accuses Gordon of having more regard to policy than accuracy, of writing to conciliate the priests and the Catholic multitude in order to secure the punctual payment of his tithes, and of abusing the magistrates, the military, and the yeomen instead. So what happened on this hill in 1798 remains a contested thing, caught between two clergymen who could not agree on the character of the man who commanded here.

Mr Otway's use of whipping to extract confession at Castle Otway

near Castle Otway · castle · Tipperary · 1798

Mr Otway of Castle Otway, near Nenagh, whipped a suspected United Irishman twice to force a confession; the man eventually admitted the parish was organized and armed, leading to the surrender of seventeen hundred pikes and confessions from local priests including father Kennedy and father Meara of Nenagh.

Read the passage

I (hall defer difcuffing at prefent the policy and the good effedls of whipping and free quarter, but the reader may form fome judgment of it from the following inflance : Mr. Otway, of Caftle Otway, near Nenagh, Jiad undoubted proof that the people in his populous parilh were fworn, organized, and well fupplied with arms ; and that they were foon to rife and maflacre all the loyal fubje(fl:s. He then, took up a fellow, well known to have been fworn, and threatened to whip him, unlefs he difclofed his fecrets of the confpiracy^; but he called God to witnefs his innocence, and offered to make an affidavit of it ; but Mr. Otway ordered him to receive twenty-five lafhes in the prefence of fir James DuiF ; but he perfifted in profeffing his ignorance of the plot. Having been tied up next day, when his fkin was tender from the preceding whipping, he acknow-. ledged his guilt, that the parifli was organized, and the people were well armed with pikes. Soon after he was taken down, which convinced the confpirators that he had made a full acknowledgment of what he knew. They then inftantly became emulous in making confelTions, and in furrendering arms ; and, in the fpace of a few hours, feventeen hundred pikes were furrendered ; and father Kennedy, the parifli priefl, voluntarily acknowledged, that he had been fworn by father Meara, a prieft who had fworn many others, though he had been previoufly examined by Mr. -Otway, and fwore that he was perfe£l;ly ignorant of the confpiracy. — It appears alfo, that father Meara, parifh priefl of Nenagh, had fworn many priefts in his neighbourhood ; and that father O'Brien, of the parifh of Doone, and he, were deeply concerned in the confpiracy , and they were both fentenced to be tranfported. .
No. XII.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 137

Mrs Wilson killed as house burned at Castlecomer

Castlecomer · town · Kilkenny · 1793

A body of insurgents burned the house of Mr Wilson at Castlecomer and assassinated Mrs Wilson as she attempted to escape the flames.

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In the month of June, a body of infurgents burned the houfe of Mr. Wilfon, of Caftlecomer, and aflaflinated . Mrs.Wilfon, as fhe endeavoured to efcape from the flames.
This year we find them in a ftate of mfurredion in the , four quarters of the kingdom. Swearing the defenders

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 133

Murder of Gray Thomas proved at Vinegar Hill

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

On the trial of general Edward Roche, witnesses testified that Hay had proposed at Vinegar Hill the murder of all Protestants, and that the cold-blooded murder of Gray Thomas was committed at the same place.

Read the passage

On the trial of general Edward P.oche, Thomas Hatchell proved that he heard Mr. Hay at Vinegarhill propofe the murder of all the proteftants, and that Roche oppofed it. The cold-blooded murder, committed by him of Gray Thomas, at the fame place, was alfo proved on Roche's trial. J Thomas Smithfon confirme<l the evidence of Thomas Hatchell.
The arrefl: of B. B. Harvey and John Colclough was attended with fome curious circumftances, which I fhall relate. On the flight of the rebels from Wexford the twenty-firfl day of June, they retreated to the largefl of the Saltee il]ands,| which Mr. Colclough rented from Mr. Grogan. Dodor Waddy, a phyfician, who ferved in the yeomanry, having got intelligence of their retreat, applied to general Lake for a proper party, .and an armed velTel, to go in queft of them, which he readily obtained.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 28

As the companion tells it

You are coming near Vinegar Hill, outside Enniscorthy in Wexford. At the trial of General Edward Roche after the rebellion of 1798, a witness named Thomas Hatchell testified that he heard a man named Hay propose, at Vinegar Hill, the murder of all Protestants. Roche himself opposed that proposal. But the cold-blooded murder of Gray Thomas, committed by Roche at the same place, was also proved at his trial. Another witness, Thomas Smithson, confirmed Hatchell's evidence.

Murder of James Hyland and his wife near Trim

Trim · town · Meath

In late December, a party of Defenders murdered James Hyland and his wife near Trim on suspicion that they had informed against Defenders, shooting the man through the forehead and his wife through the back as she tried to escape.

Read the passage

The latter end of December, a moft horrid murder was committed near Trim, by a party of defenders, on James Hyland and his wife, merely becaufe they fufpe(Sled that they had given information againft fome of their body. They fhot the man through the forehead, and his wife through the back, as fhe ende»avoured to make her efcape.
Soon after notices were pofted on all the neighbouring chapels, announcing that all thofe who gave information againft, or fearched for defenders, fliould be facriHccd in the fame m.anner as Hyland and his wife.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 137

As the companion tells it

Around Trim here, in late December, a party of Defenders murdered James Hyland and his wife on suspicion they had informed against some of their body. They shot him through the forehead, and shot her through the back as she tried to escape. Soon after, notices went up on all the neighbouring chapels warning that anyone who gave information against or searched for Defenders would be sacrificed in the same manner as Hyland and his wife.

Murder of St. George and Uniacke in Cork

Cork · city · Cork · 1798

A traitorous society in Cork was responsible for the cruel murder of Messrs. St. George and Uniacke, as revealed by informers who came forward in April 1798. The same network also attempted to murder magistrate Sir Henry Mannix and High Sheriff Robert Harding.

Read the passage

On the 5 th day of April, 1798, came forward voluntarily, and made many important difcoveries of traitorous focieties then in exiftence in this city and county, tending to the entire fubverfion of his prefent ma jelly's government, religion, and laws ; and of focieties convened, for the fanguinary purpofe of affalfinating every loyal and welldifpofed perfon in the country^ without any exception, particularly that by which mcfiieurs St. George and Uniacke M'ere moil cruelly murdered ; and of thofe who made an attempt on the life of' fir Henry Mannix, a magiftrate of this county, who, by his aclive exertions to crufli the rebellious, incurred their hatred •, and of a plot to murder Robert Harding, efquire, then high flieriffof the city, whofe very a<^ive conduct marked him as an obje6l of their fanguinary vengeance. They alfo difcovcred, and profecuted to conviction, the traitors who procured to be printed, and circulated, hand-bills for the diabolical purpofe of feducing the Dublin county and North Mayo regiments of militia (then quartered in this city) from their duty and allegiance and alfo gave informations of fixty-nine focieties of United Iridmien in Cork, with the names and places of abode of the officers who belonged to each, many of whom were very forward and active in having pikes made, and ill colleding money to forward the rebellion.
APPENDIX, No. XI.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Cork, you are in a city that in 1798 was riddled with secret societies bent on rebellion. On the 5th of April that year, informers came forward voluntarily and revealed what these groups were planning. They told of societies convened, as the source puts it, "for the sanguinary purpose of assassinating every loyal and well disposed person in the country without any exception." Among their crimes was the cruel murder of Messrs. St. George and Uniacke. The same network made an attempt on the life of Sir Henry Mannix, a magistrate of the county, who had drawn their hatred through his active efforts to crush the rebellious. There was also a plot to murder Robert Harding, then High Sheriff of the city, whose conduct had marked him out as a target. The informers further exposed traitors who printed and circulated hand-bills to seduce the Dublin county and North Mayo militia regiments from their duty and allegiance. They gave the names and homes of officers belonging to 69 societies of United Irishmen in Cork, many of whom were busy having pikes made and collecting money to forward the rebellion.

O'Keon's rostrum speech in the street of Ballina

Ballina · townland · Mayo · 1798

O'Keon assembled a vast concourse of the credulous populace in the street of Ballina and told them a fabricated story of a vision of the Virgin Mary urging the French expedition to relieve Ireland, which the multitude received with vociferous acclamation.

Read the passage

O'^Keon, well knowing the fuperftitious credulity and the fanaticifm of the popiih multitude, affembled a vafl concourfe of them in the flreet of Ballina, and having mounted the roflrum, he related the fot lowing ftory to them in his native tongue, which ;he fpoke better than French or Enghfh ; " That he dreamt one night in France, that the virgin Ma^-y vifited him, and informed him that her votaries in Ireland were fulfering the mofl grievous perfecutioft^
ana

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 86

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ballina, in 1798, a man named O'Keon mounted a rostrum in the street and addressed a vast crowd. He told them, in his native tongue, that he had dreamed in France that the Virgin Mary visited him and said her followers in Ireland were suffering grievous persecution. The story was fabricated, urging the French expedition to relieve Ireland. The multitude received it with vociferous acclamation.

Pitched caps forced on prisoners at Gorey market-house

Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

On 9 June, rebels at Gorey cut off prisoners' hair and put pitched caps on their heads, forcing them to expose themselves from the market-house windows while rebel troops marched by shouting in celebration.

Read the passage

aforefaid, they were led out to the rebel camp to be fliot, for no other reafon, as informant verily believes, than becaufe they were proteflants. Informant faith, that one of the faid prifoners was marked out to be faved, becaufe he was a papift, and gave a proof of his being fuch, by croffing himfclf, and by faying popilh prayers, which the rebels required him do. Informant faith, that before he and his fellow prifoners could be executed, an order was received from general Bagenal Harvey, that the rebels fliould not in future, under the pain of being fliot, put any of their prifoners to death, which order, as informant verily beheves, faved the lives of him and his fellow prifoners. This informant faith, that during his confinement at Gorey aforefaid, fome of his Roman catholick neighbours vifited him, and wiflied him a fpeedy liberation ; and at the fame time, informed him, that the only mode of procuring it was, to be baptized by the prieft, to embrace the holy Roman cathoiick faith, and to take up arms, and to fight for the caufe of Jiberty. And informant faith, that his faid neighbours informed him that they feared he would not elcape, unlefs he complied with their advice; and at the fame time tliey exprelTed much concern at feeing him in the acl of reading proteftant prayer books. Informant faith, he anfwered them by faying, he profefled the proteftant faith from convidtion, and therefore would not renounce it. Informant faith, that during his confinement at Gorey aforefaid, and previous to the arrival of general Bagenal Harvey's humane order for faving the lives of the prifoners, the rebels took out two . yeomen who were their prifoners, and fliot them, one of them of the name of Rogan, was of the Arklow corps, the other whofe name was James Wheatley, was of the Caftletown corps *, and that a rebel horfeman fired a piftol at one of tlie prifoners, and that the ball lodged in the flioulder of the faid prifoner ; and that another prifoner, previous to the arrival of the faid humane order, received fome wounds of a pike is the fide, by v/hich three of his ribs were broken. Informant faith, that when they were leading the prifoners out of the camp, a rebel gave informant two or three ftrokes of a pike in the back, informant faith, that the faid rebel camp near the town of Gorey, w^as attended by one Michael Murphy a prieft. Informant faith, that on the morning ot the ninth of June laft, the rebels at Gorey aforefaid, cut off the hair of all the prifoners (this informant excepted) and put pitched caps on their heads ; and that the reverend Mr- Owens^

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 158

As the companion tells it

Coming up now is Gorey, in County Wexford. In the summer of 1798, this town became a scene of cruelty under rebel control. Protestant prisoners were held here by the rebels. One was singled out to be saved, because he was a Catholic. He proved it by crossing himself and saying Catholic prayers, which the rebels required of him. Before any order came to stop the killing, the rebels took out two yeomen from among the prisoners and shot them. One was Rogan, of the Arklow corps. The other was James Wheatley, of the Castletown corps. A rebel horseman fired a pistol at one prisoner, and the ball lodged in his shoulder. Another prisoner was piked in the side, and three of his ribs were broken. A rebel gave the informant two or three strokes of a pike in the back. The rebel camp near Gorey was attended by a priest, Michael Murphy. Catholic neighbours visited the informant and told him the only way to be freed was to be baptized, embrace the Catholic faith, and take up arms for liberty. They feared he would not escape unless he complied, and expressed concern at seeing him reading Protestant prayer books. He answered that he professed the Protestant faith from conviction, and would not renounce it. An order then came from General Bagenal Harvey that the rebels should not put any prisoners to death, under pain of being shot. The informant believes this saved his life and the lives of his fellow prisoners. On the morning of the ninth of June, the rebels at Gorey cut off the hair of all the prisoners, this informant excepted, and put pitched caps on their heads.

Priests feasting with French at Killala on plundered goods

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

At least a dozen Roman Catholic priests visited and lived in intimacy with the French forces at Killala and other places, eating and drinking on the spoils taken from Protestants who had fled or been imprisoned.

Read the passage

There were at leaft a dozen Romifh priefts who went to pay their refpedls to the French, and lived in habits of intimacy with them at Killala, and other places, eating, drinking, and making merry with them, on the fpoils of the unfortunate proteftants who had either fled or had been imprifoned ; whilft none of the Romilh perfuafion, though reputed loyal, were known to fly the country, through apprehenfion of danger, or to join the king's troops, or the armed loyalifts. .
It was not uncommon to fee fome of thefe fpiritual guides introducing into the court-yard of Killala fome of their half-naked raggamuflfins, taking cloaths out of the ftores, which were kept there for that purpofe, and arraying them for aftual fervice. There

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 76

As the companion tells it

Coming up now is the town of Killala in Mayo. In 1798, at least a dozen Roman Catholic priests lived in intimacy with the French forces here, eating and drinking on the spoils taken from Protestants who had fled or been imprisoned. The priests also brought half-naked men into the court-yard of Killala, taking clothes from stores kept there to array them for actual service.

Priest's Letter Describing Rebel Camp and Bishop's Conduct

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1798–1799

A Romish priest wrote to a Dublin attorney describing how he said mass at the rebel camp and saved twenty to thirty lives, while criticizing his bishop for giving the rebels his benediction in the chapel-yard before an attack and permitting priests to absolve murder.

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YOU no donbt muft be furprifed to find yourfelf addrefled by one who has not the honour of your acquaintance ; however, if you will arm yourfelf with patience, to hear a long llory, I will endeavour to introduce myfelf to you. Sir, I am a Romiih prieft. Impgfed upon by the example of my bifhop, If'' .nafs at the rebel camp my behaviour during the time was fuch, that I am ndther forry for, nor afliamed of it. I faved from twenty to thirty lives, who will make affidavit of it in any court ; and rhis I look upon to be more meritorious, (at lead in the -fight of God,) than running away like many others, wha now make fuch a boaft of their loyalty. As a proof ot the publick good will towards me, my chapel has never been infulted, though fituated iu the moft publick place in the county. On the return of the king's government, my firft concern was to obtain his majefty's pardon, for that degree of rebellion of which I was guilty, which (long may he live !) I obtained without any difficulty, but guefs, fir, my aftonifhment at receiving a letter from my bifliop, filencing me from my clerical fvin£lio;i in this diocefe, when his own condiicl was what chiefly led me aftray, (if I except the degree of terror the rebels put me into after the government was upfet all round me,) for during the ferment, which preceded the explofion, he never inftru^led me how to acl. Inftead of excommunicating them for their horrid rebellion, he gave them his benedidlion in the chapel-yard, the day they took two days before they caHed on me to follow them. Injlead of excommu 711 eating the barbarous murderers at he gave all his priefls poiycr to give abfolution for murder , a ponxxer luhich he ever till then referved to himfelf Even tht lall 'battle in this county was fought by his direction, and the prieft who ferved as his aid-de-camp on the occafion, he kept in his houfe till laft fpring, when he was obliged to Griuggle him out of the county, otherwife he would have fallen a victim to outraged juftice ; and indeed it is pf but little avail to me, that the king fhould grant me-

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 179

Prisoners piked on Wexford bridge

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

The document records prisoners who were piked to death on the bridge in Wexford on the twentieth of June, 1798, part of the massacre carried out by rebel forces.

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Pxifoners piked on the .bridge, twentieth of June
Marks in the calendar affixed to the names of prifonerso.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 176

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, the bridge here was the site of a grim episode in 1798. On the 20th of June that year, prisoners were piked to death on the bridge, part of the massacre carried out by rebel forces during the rising.

Rebel assembly at Milltown and Ennistymon disperses to Slievecallan

near Slievecallan · mountain or mountain range · Clare · 1799

On 12-13 January 1799 thousands of Carmelite-initiated rebels assembled at Milltown and Ennistymon, apparently to meet the king's troops, but fled to the inaccessible mountains of Slievecullane when General Meyrick approached.

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A number of flrangers, who were all of the Carmelite order, went into the county of Clare in the year 1796, and fettled, in the barony of Tullagh, on the borders of the county of Galway. The moft part of them were weavers, and as they were very induftrious, and leemed to have a great purity of morals, conftantly recommending fobriety and good order to the multitude, the gentlemen of the country rejoiced at their arrival. Thus tliey continued to be protected, till the winter of the year 1798, when they bciran to hold lecret nightly meetings, to plunder the houfes of proteftants, particularly the yeomen, of arms, and to cut down great quantities of young afli trees to make pike handles, and to employ tlie blackimiths in making pikes. On the twelfth and thirteenth of January, 1799, thev and the profelytes whom they initiated into the Carmelite order, to the number of feveral thoufands, affembied in the day at ^lilltown and InnifLimmonj and moved forward apparently with an intention of meeting the king's troops ; but on their approach under general Meyrick, they fled to the momitains of Slievecullane, which are inaccefiibie ; thev pretended ta furrender their arras, but it was well known that they kept the beft, and die greater part of them. Soon after tlieir rifmg they houghed great quantities of cattle, for whicli compeniation was made to die fufterers by large funis of money levied by the orrand jury on the county ; they went with unparalleled alfurance next day, to the places where they had committed thefe acts of favage cruelty, to carry - ' '
APPENDIX, No. XI.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

Rebel camp at Lord Moira's house, Ballynahinch

near Ballynahinch · town · Down · 1798

The main rebel body camped on the lawn before Lord Moira's house near Ballynahinch, a strong defensive position on a wooded eminence, under the command of linen-draper Henry Munroe.

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A numerous body of rebels kept poflefiion of Saintfield, till Monday the eleventh of June, when they marched to Ballynahinch, and joined the main body, who were ported in what they called a camp, on the lawn before lord Moira's houfe, which was a favourable pofition, on a commanding eminence, and fkirted with thick wood. The comijiander in chief v/as general Henry Munroe, a linen-draper, and an inhabitant of Lilburn, v/ho had been formerly adjutant to a volunteer company, and acquired fome reputation for military knowledge.
On the morning of the twelfth of June, general Nugent marched againfl them from Belfaft, with the Monaghan regiment of militia, part of the 2 2d dragoons, and fome yeomen infantry and cavalry ; and was joined by lieutenant-colonel Stewart, near Ballynahinch, with his party from Downpatrick, making in all about one thoufand five hundred men. Information having been received at the rebel camp, that general Nugent was on his marc}> to attack them, a party of five hundred was detached by Munroe, under the command of one Johnfon, to annoy the general, and retard his progrefs. They advanced near four miles to Creevy-rocks, at 'the Ballynahinch fide of Saintfield, but were difperfed by the flanking parties of the army, and did not return to their friends at Ballynahinch.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 68

Rebel camp formed and battle at Vinegar Hill

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

A rebel camp was formed at Vinegar Hill, described in detail, where massacres were committed and where the decisive battle took place under General Lake, with Father Clinch killed there by the Earl of Roden.

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Vihegar- hilly a rebel camp' formed thtre, i. 441.— A defcription or it, i. 445 — MafTacrcs committed tliere, i. 448, 449 to 454 — Genera] Lake's plan for alt.lcking it, and his orders to the general ofiicLis for that pmpoie, ii. i— The movement- of oui: *iifferent armies to attack and lurround it under general Lal^e, ii. 5— The battle of, a. 6— Father Clinch killed there by the carl of Roden, ii. 7. — Why general Ntcdham did not occupy the part deitincd for him, ii. 8, 9— Maffacre of thirty-hx proteitants near Gorey, after tlie battle, ii. 10..
Voiwitecrs, origin of, i. 54— Of Dublin, correipond with the revo- Imionifts in France in 1791,1. 129, 130 — Invited by the ca. tholicka of Dublin to pi'oniU\:e the caufe of the union, i. 134.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 196

As the companion tells it

Coming up near Vinegar Hill, where the road passes through rising ground outside Enniscorthy. In 1798 a rebel camp was formed on this hill, and it became the site of one of the decisive battles of that year's rebellion. General Lake planned the attack and ordered his different armies to surround it. The battle was fought on the hill itself. Father Clinch was killed there by the Earl of Roden. After the fighting, 36 Protestants were massacred near Gorey. The records also note that General Needham did not occupy the part of the position destined for him, though they do not say why.

Rebel guard halts massacre at Wexford Bridge amid alarm from Vinegar Hill

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Jackson's narrative describes General Roche riding up to warn that Vinegar-hill camp was beset, causing rebels to instantly quit the bridge and leave prisoners kneeling. The mob dispersed fearing the king's troops were at hand, and prisoners were later returned to gaol.

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" General Roche rode up in great hafte, and bid them beat to arms ; faying, " that Vinegar-hill camp was befet, and that reinforcements were wanting that this operated like lightning on the rebels, who inftantly quitted the bridge, and left Jackfon and the other victims on their knees. That the mob, (con^ fifting of more women than men,) who had beeu fpedators, alfo inftji^ntly difperfed in every dire&'on, fuppofmg the king*s troops were at hand : That the prifoners, ftupified with horror, remained fome time on their knees, without making any effort to. efcape : That the rebel guard foon returned, took them back to gaol, telling them, that they fhould not efcape anv longer than the next day, when neither man, .W'Oman or child of the proteftants ihould be left -alive."
Different perfons at that time in Wexford, and iome who Hved near the bridge, have unanimoufly concurred with Jackfon's relation of it.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 13

As the companion tells it

Coming up to the town of Wexford, scene of a dramatic moment in the 1798 rebellion. General Roche rode up in great haste to the bridge, warning that the Vinegar Hill camp was beset and reinforcements were wanting. The rebels instantly quitted the bridge, leaving Jackson and other prisoners on their knees. The mob of spectators, more women than men, dispersed in every direction, supposing the king's troops were at hand. The stunned prisoners stayed on their knees some time before the rebel guard returned and took them back to gaol, telling them they would not escape past the next day.

Rebel leader at Tintern directs captives to Scullabogue

Tintern · townland · Wexford · 1798

At the trial of John Houghran, a mason, evidence showed he appeared at Tintern as leader of a gang of rebels who carried protestants off to Scullabogue, and forced a witness to be christened by a priest.

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AT the trial of John Houghran, a mafon, vl Vfe!xfcrd, on the twenty-fixth September, 1 799, it appeared on the evidenee of Pvlr. Bridges, that he appeared at Tintern to be the leader of a gang of rebels, who carried off the proteftants to Seullabogue, and that he took the witnefs to be chriftened by a prieft.
Sarah Smyth, whofe hu (band was taken by him, fwore that twenty-four proteftants, young and old, were taken to the barn of Seullabogue and miurdered there ; and among them her hufband, her brother, fifter and niece.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 161

Rebel march to Vinegar Hill killing Protestants along the way

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

Sheppard describes the rebel march from Gorey through Limbrick, Tinahely, and Carnew to Vinegar Hill, during which rebels killed all the Protestants they could capture; he escaped during the battle at Vinegar Hill.

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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

Vinegar Hill is coming up ahead. In 1798, this was where the Wexford rebels made their stand, and where the informant Sheppard escaped during the battle. The march here was a brutal one. The rebels came from Gorey through Limbrick, Tinahely, and Carnew, and wherever they went they killed all the Protestants they could get into their custody, saying the kingdom was their own and that there should be but one religion. Before the fighting, a priest named Murphy, mounted on a car, preached to the rebels that 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 they died in battle they would be sure of immediate salvation. He showed them bullets he said had hit him at Gorey without doing him any injury, and claimed he could kill the enemy with gravel thrown from the road. After the battle of Arklow, back at Gorey, the rebels put many Protestants to death, even some who had served with them in that battle. A blacksmith named Walker was spared briefly because he had made pikes and fought well, 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. Another priest, Dixon, told the rebel general Roche they would take Arklow in half an hour, be joined by 20,000 men, and proceed to Wicklow and then Dublin. Sheppard and his comrades made their escape at the battle of Vinegar Hill.

Robert Whitney's ordeal at Enniscorthy and Vinegar Hill

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

Robert Whitney, a yeoman cavalryman, fled his home during the rebel attack on Enniscorthy and was later captured on suspicion of being an orangeman. He was imprisoned, marched to Vinegar Hill where rebels sharpened pikes near him, then returned to Enniscorthy and publicly whipped at the tree of liberty.

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ROBERT WHITNEY, of Moneytucker, in the county of Wexford, a member of captain Richards's yeomen cavalry, depofes, That he \yas at Ennifcorthy on the twentyeighth day of May laft, on which day the rebels made an attack on faid town; that when the troops evacuated faid place, he returned to his houfe to prore6t his wife and family, was purfued, and narrowly efcaped the fury of the rebels, by concealing himfelf in a covert of furze j that deponent and wife, feehng their fitdation unfafe and dangerous, quivted their houfe, and went for better protection to * Henry Alcock's of Wilton in faid county, efquire, where they remained for tliat night ; the next morning deponent, anxious about the fate of his houfe and property, returned and found that his houfe was nearly plundered, and learned that vengeance was denounced againit him ; that in confequerice thereof, he and his wife on the fame day removed from his own houfe to Lingflown, in the barony of Forth, ' to the refidence of Mr. Boxwell, diftant about twenty mile,>y and remained there for a few days j in the mean time the rebels plundered him of the entire of his houfehold furniture, provifion of all kinds, horfes, cows, fheep, pigs, calves, fowls, &c. burned his dwelling-houfe and out-offices, propagated evil reports of his conduct, as th^ means of working his deftru6lion j in confequence of which, a fearch was. made foy deponent by the rebels, under the command of ♦ Thomas Doyle of Moneytucker, who ftyled himfelf a captain. Deponent was found and brought a prlfoner by a guard of rebels from Lingftown to Ennifcorthy ; the chargeagainft deponent was, that he was an orangeman, as Iiis mittimus fet forth, figned by John Colclough of Ballyteigue. Deponent on his way experienced feveral fevere affaults and infults ; being brought to Ennifcorthy, deponent was put in clofe confinement for three days, was then taken under a ftrong guard to Vinegar-hill, where he expe6led e\'ery initant to be murdered that many of the rebels fharpened their pikes in his prefence, and, with a favage pleafure, exclaimed they did fo in compliment to him, that he might the fooner be put out of pairji 5 that he was confined in the tower of a windmill on faid hill, from, feven o'clock in the morning until about five in the afternoon without receiving any kind of nourifhment ; was then marched back to Ennifcorthy, and put into his prifon again, where he remained about an h«>ur, when be was defired to come out by Thomas

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 154

Sterne's family hides four days in Ringwood after fleeing Enniscorthy

Ringwood · townland · Dublin · 1798

When the king's troops evacuated Enniscorthy, Richard Sterne, an infirm old man carrying his grandchild, fled with his wife and consumptive son and hid for four days and nights in Ringwood, a wood half a mile from the town, surviving on potatoes and milk from a fisherman on the Slaney.

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^ohn Murphy, of Boulavogue, in faid county. Informant iaith, that he being an infirm old man, and having carried on his back a grandchild of the age of five years, he was unable to keep up with the faid troops in their march for Wexford ; and therefore that he, this informant, accompanied by his wife and a fon, who was far gone in a coniumption, concealed themfelves in a wood, called Ringwood, within half a mile of Ennifcorthy aforefaid, where this informant and his faid family remained four days and four nights, without receiviu|r any nourifhment whatever, except fome potatoes and about a pint jof milk froni a fifherman who lived on the hanks of the river SJaney ; that he, this informant, fooner than perifh with hunger, went out of the faid wood, on .or about the fifth day, in the morning, ^fter he had made his efcape from Ennifcorthy aforefaid, and that he, this informant, was taken prifoner on the high road near Ennifcorthy, aforefaid, by a numerous body of the faid rebels, who were headed by the faid father John Murphy, to whom the faid rebels conduced this informant ; and that they alked the faid father Murphy what the faid rebels fhould do with this informant, and that the faid Murphy defired the. faid rebels to difcharge informant, as they were on their march to Wexford. Informant faith, that neverthelefs the faid rebelst jkept this infQrrnant in their cuftody , that the faid rebels led ihis informant a fecond tirne before the faid father Murphy, who preceded the faid rebels on horfeback with a large crucifix in his arms, and that they afked the faid Murphy a fecond time, what they fliould do with this informant ? and lhat the faid Murphy replied, they, the rebels, might do as they chofe with tliis informant ; that the faid rebels i^^ebuked nnd abufed this informant for not having prcflrated himfeif before the faid crucifix, and frequently pricked him with their pikes for not having done fo ; that the faid rebels' frequently tpld him, this informant, that he was a heretick^ that he was damned, and would go to heli 5 that faid rebel i ilrongly urged informant to be chriflened, to receive the facrament from their prieft, and to go to mafs, and that bj^ doing fo, he would be fure of going to heaven, or to purgatory, cither one or the other. Informant faith, he aficed the faid rebels, whether he would f^we his life by conformlni^ to their religion ? and that the faid rebels replied, he would not, but that by fo conforming, he fliould die an eafy death .by being hanged, inftead of being tortured by pikes and ihat the faid rebels faid io informant that they would hang

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 149

The 'blessed priest of Bannow' blesses rebels

Bannow · townland · Wexford · 1798

Father Keane, known as the blessed priest of Bannow, was venerated by rebels who believed he had supernatural powers; he distributed scapulars claiming they would protect wearers from bullets, and reportedly demanded the head of a local Quaker before giving his blessing.

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teCi thein in advancing, the other in retreating. He jiifured the wearers of this facredfymbol, that aball from, a heretick gun could do them no more injury than a pea. He conflantly vifited the rebel camps , particu^ iarly that on the mountain of Forth ; and a poney on v/hich he rode, was led by two pike-men, who cried out, with a loud voice^ " Make way for the blefied pried of Bannow!" I have been alTured that he refufed his blcfnng to fome rebels, unlefs they brought him the head of Mr. GofF, of Horetown, a quaker, who was juftly and univerfally efteemed 5 and it is faid, that he would moft certainly have b^en afiaffi* nated, but for the vidory of general Moore^ which ftruck terror into the rebels.
A party of them took poffefiion of Mr* Goff's houfe, under the command of one Monk, and they were attended by father Byrne, a prieft, who was purveyor to the party ; and he compelled the Mif^ Goffs, young and amiable women, to bake bread, and do every other menial office to fupply the rebels. A party of them one day af^ed his benedidlion, having knelt down for that purpofe ; but he refufed to give it, only to fuch as produced their pikes ftained with the blood of hereticks.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 9

Torture confession of Carey, stone-cutter, in Waterford

Waterford · city · Waterford · 1798

Carey, a stone-cutter deeply concerned in the Waterford conspiracy, initially denied involvement but confessed after receiving about a dozen lashes of a cat-o'-nine-tails, revealing the names of his accomplices.

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As the yeomen oiBcers, and fome of the principal gentlemen of the town, dined frequently at his houfe, and ufually jeft their fwords in an antichamber, he laid a plan of cutting them off while at dinner. Carey, a ftone-cutter, deeply concerned in the confpiracy, was taken up, and on being examined, infifted on his innocence; but on receiving about a dozen laflies of a cat-o'nine tails, he acknowledged that he was engaged in the plot, and confefled all the circumftances which had been difcovered and related by the perfon who overheard the confpirators at Johnftown ; and at the fame time, he difclofed the names of his principal accomplices, who were immediately arrefted.
The confpirators had feduced a great number of the Claje militia, quartered fome months at Waterford, who were to have a6ted with them on the general infurrection; and it appeared that their artillery-men were to have fired on the city, w\th their battalion guns, from a hill which hung over it.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

Wexford massacre and the black flag on the quay

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

The Wexford massacre began after a black flag was raised on the quay, with slaughter continuing on the bridge into the evening while the town rang with the mob's acclamations.

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In page 1 8, the doclor tells us, that he was abfolutely Ignorant of that maffacre being intended or perpetrated, until fome hours after it had ceafed. Here the do£):or is convicted of an untruth by the ftrongeft moral evidence. The town ot Wexford is fo narrow, that if a boxing- match, or a riot, happened in any part of the main flreet, every one of its inhabitants could not but hear the noife occafioned by it. The populace began to ftiout at eleven o'clock, foon after the black flag was erected on the quay. The flaughter at the goal began at two o^clock, and continued on the bridge till late in the evening. At the immolation of every vi6lim, the popifh multitude rent the air with acclamations. Could do6lor Caulfield and father Corrin alone remain deaf to their clamours Why did they not enquire the caufe of fo much noifc and uproar ?
*' The foUwzifhg affidavit tvas puhl'Jbed in the Dublin Evening Pojl, the lOth of April, 1799.-

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 182

As the companion tells it

Coming up on the town of Wexford. In 1798 a massacre took place here during the rebellion. The shouting began at eleven o'clock, soon after a black flag was raised on the quay. The slaughter started at two and continued on the bridge till late in the evening. At every victim the crowd, as the source puts it, "rent the air with acclamations." The town was so narrow that no one living in it could have failed to hear the uproar.

Whiteboy recruit re-sworn by titular archbishop at Thurles

Thurles · town · Tipperary · 1763

Thomas Rawley, enlisted as a whiteboy by Edmond Quinn, was brought to the house of James Butler, titular archbishop of Cashel, in Thurles, where Butler personally re-administered the oath of fidelity to the French king and Prince Charles.

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That fome fliort time after he met faid Quinn in Thurles, and was conducted by him to the houfe of James Butler, titular archbifhop of Cafliel, and into his company. That after being introduced to him, faid Butler, the fervant was fent out of the way, and then faid Butler took a book out of his pocket, and re-fwore your informant as before; viz. to be true and faithful to the king of France, and his right king Charles ; and to obey the orders of his commanding officers in all things. That he then gave your informant fome claret, and afterwards difmdfled him with his blefiing for that time. That your informant continued a twelvemonth after in the fervice of the vvhiteboys, 'till he was apprehended, and lodged in Clonmell gaol, and brought to his trial for high treafon and rebellion againft his majefty* for which, though guilty, he was publickly acquitted. That after his acquittal and enlargement, he went to fee the aforefaid James Butler, (by whom he was very kindly received, and alfo fupported whilfl in confinement.) That after refrefliment given to him by faid Butler, he was fent by him to the late Nicholas Sheehy, with a purfe of gold from him, faid Butler, with this meflage, " That he had only received this money from Dublin the day before, elfc he would have fent it to him fconer." * Your informant further depofeth, that the aforefaid Butler did then aflure him, that they foon fhould have Ireland in their own hands, and that they would certainly be fupported by an invafion from France, with prince Charles at their head ; and hereupon he difmifled him upon his errand, firft giving him an Englifh crown to bear his expences. That he went directly thence to Nicholas Sheehy, and found him at his filler's
houfe

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 124

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Thurles now. In 1763, a man named Thomas Rawley, enlisted as a Whiteboy by Edmond Quinn, was brought here to the house of James Butler, titular archbishop of Cashel. Butler sent his servant away, took a book from his pocket, and re-swore Rawley to be faithful to the king of France and Prince Charles, and to obey his commanding officers in all things. He gave Rawley some claret and dismissed him with his blessing. Rawley stayed in the Whiteboy service for a year after that, until he was seized and lodged in Clonmel gaol and brought to trial for high treason and rebellion. Though guilty, he was publicly acquitted. After his release he came back to visit Butler, who received him kindly and had supported him while he was confined. Butler gave him refreshment, then sent him on to Nicholas Sheehy with a purse of gold, saying he had only received the money from Dublin the day before or he would have sent it sooner. Butler told Rawley they would soon have Ireland in their own hands and would certainly be supported by an invasion from France with Prince Charles at their head. He handed Rawley an English crown for his expenses, and Rawley went straight to find Sheehy at his sister's house.

Itinerant Carmelite preacher discovered near Burren holy well

Burren · townland · Clare · 1798–1799

An itinerant Carmelite high priest figure, wearing elaborate religious garb and selling scapulars, was discovered to have recently preached at a holy well near Burren where crowds gathered under religious pretences to promote rebellion.

Read the passage

The magiftrates difcovered at that time an itinerant Carmelite who feemed to be a high prieft of that order ; he had a long beard, and a cowl like the Capuchin friars, and a cloak which he hooked over his chin, and prevented, when he chofe, his beard from being feen ; he had a long brown fhirt which reached to the ground, and on the breaft of it, there was the image of a coffin in white ; he had one bag full of fcapulars which he fold to the befotted multitude, and another full of {hreds to make them •, he had many little religious books, containing the moft abominable fuperftitious doftrines, and which the priefts conftantly circulate among their flock. He faid, that he went from one holy well to another, where he preached to a numerous auditory, who never failed to attend him. He had recently come from a holy well near Burren, where a great concourfe of people aflembled, under religious pretences, but in reality to promote rebellion. It appeared by fome papers found on him, that he was a Northern man, and had fled from near Belfaft in confequence of having committed fome crime. He was difcovered by a gentleman who over-heard him preaching to a number of people in a weaver's hcufe, where he was inveighing againft proteftants, and the government of Ireland. The magiltrates urged the parifh
priefl

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

Captain Butler's heroic ride through burning Castlecomer street

Castlecomer · town · Kilkenny · 1798

Amidst surrounding flames, Captain James Butler rode alone up and down the street of Castlecomer within yards of the rebels, attempting to rally his scattered force under heavy fire.

Read the passage

The perilous fituation of the loyal few in thofe houfes already mentioned, can be better imagined than defcribed ; the bridge crov/ded with rebels, yelling with rage, crying out for blood, and not a foidier to oppofe them ; the back-houfes all on fire. Here, ,amidfl: furrounding flames, and to the Very breafts of the rebels, might be feen the gallant captain Butler, fingle and unfuppcrted, riding down the fireet, within a few yards of the rebels, endeavouring to rally the fcattered force, calling them back in v/ords that would animate the dead. Amidd balls 'thick as hail, twice did he ride up and down the fl:reet, with an heroick intrepidity, as laudable as it was unavailing. And now* commenced a very fiiarp, but illdireded fire from the rebels on the bridge, which was as w^armly and more effedually anfvv^red from I he houfes ; for three hours and a half this fire
Vol. II. G was

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 50

Ambush plot against Captain Westropp's corps at Blarney

near Blarney · townland · Cork · 1798

An order was issued by the grand committee for assassinating Captain Westropp's loyal Protestant yeomanry corps as they marched to mount picquet guard at Blarney, four miles from Cork, with assassins planned to fire from hedges on both sides of a deep road, but the plot was discovered and defeated.

Read the passage

As captain Weflropp's corps, all proteftants, were confpicuous for their loyalty, an order for affaiTmating them was ilTued by the grand committee, to which all the reft were fubordinate ; and the bloody deed was to have been performed when tliey were proceeding to mount a piquet guard at Blarney, four miles from Cork, by a band of affaiTins,* who were fupplied with blunderbufles for that purpofe. When in a deep road, they were to have been fired ^ on from the hedges on each fide, which were high ; and at the fame time they were to have been aflailed in front and rear, by men appointed with mulkets ; but the plot was defeated by the feafonable difcovery of one of the approvers to whom I alluded.
The members of the union in Cork were fo defperatc and fanguinary, that a propofal was made, and it was fome time difcufled in a coramittec, to murder the amiable doctor Moylan, titular bifliop of Cork, partly from motives of revenge, on account of his loyalty j but the principal reafdn afligned in the committee for it was, that it Vvould be imputed to the proteftants, and roufe the vengeance of the Roman catholicks againft them, as ftrong ftimulants were thought necefiary at that time. The proteftant yeomen of Cork are entitled .to the higheft praife for the unremitted ardour which tliey dilplayed, and the great fatigue which they endured, in fupport of the conftitution, againft thw confederated traitors, who confpired for its deftruclion.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

Banditti gather at Affane to destroy Pierce Power's seat

Affane · townland · Waterford · 1797

A numerous banditti assembled near Affane, the seat of Pierce Power, esquire, in December 1797, intending to destroy the house and murder him and his family, but dispersed due to rainy and tempestuous weather.

Read the passage

IN the county of Waterford, the inhabitants of large diftri^ls were fworn, and the proteflants in them were difarmed, in the courfe of a few nights. The main obje£l of the rebels, who were exclufively papifts, was to join the French on their landing, to extirpate proteflants, and even fuch perfons of their own order as fhould oppofe them, to plunder perfons of wealth, and confifcate landed property ; but it could not be difcovered, that they were headed by any perfons of education and fortune. The Roman cathoiick gentlemen, much to their honour, remained oyal ; but from the paucity of their numbers, they muft have yielded to the wifhes of the multitude to preferve their lives and fortunes, if the conftitution had been lubverted. It is moil certain that a general infurreclion would have taken place in the county of Waterford, in the winter of 1797, b it that a large body of troops v/as introduced into it, and divided into cantonments •, and that many diftri6ls were proclaimed on the fourth of December,' 1797. However, fuch was the infatuation of the people, that they would have rifen before thefe events took place, but for the following diiliculty which occurred : The farmers were the leaders, and the peafants, who were to be the immediate and efficient inllruments in tlie bufinefs, objected at firft to co-operate with them, becaufe they had no profpect of being rewarded for the imminent danger which they fhould incur ; v/hile the others were to enjoy in fee fimpie the farms which they rented. However, it is believed, that thefe difficulties we.re overcome j for plans were formed for murdering moil of the gentlemen refident in the country, and for deltroying their houfes *, and even nights were fiXcd on for that purpofc. A numerous banditti alTembled near Affane, the feat of Pierce Power, efqulre, in December, to deftroy
2s6 A P P S N D I X, No. XI.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 121

Battle for Killala as rebels defend the town

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

About four thousand rebels took post behind a stone wall on a hill commanding the road to Killala. The Downshire regiment advanced under fire, eventually charging and driving the rebels into the town where they were charged by cavalry.

Read the passage

In its defence about four thoufand rebels took poll behind a ftone v.-all, on a hill which commanded the road leading to it j and on which the Downlhire regiment advanced. Though the rebels maintained a conftant fire on them from the time they nrfl cam« in fight, the Downil:iir<g paid no regard to them, till they arrived at a bridge, which was but a fliort diilance from them. They then began a very heavy fire on the rebels, who fled from their flrong pofi^ tion, and joined the main body, except about forty of them, who took pofl in a grove, nearly forty yards from the palace, where fome of them ranged themfelves behind trees, and others behind a itone wall. The Downfhire purfued them, and w^ere fok lowed by the Frafer fencibles and the Queen's county militia. After about twenty minutes refiltance the rebels gave way and ran into the town, where they were charged by the Roxborough fencible cavalry ; and though the rebels in the grove kept up a conflant hre on them, their only lofs was one man badly wounded, but he afterwards recovered. Mr. Arthur Stock, the bifhop's fon, a youth of fixteen, was in the charge, drelfed in a red jacket.
After the king's troops got pofTeflion of the town, they killed great num.bers of the rebels, whom they

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 110

As the companion tells it

Killala in Mayo, a town the road passes through, was the scene of a desperate fight in 1798. About 4000 rebels took position behind a stone wall on a hill commanding the road into town. The Downshire regiment advanced under constant fire from the rebels, paying no regard until they reached a bridge a short distance away. The Downshire then opened a heavy fire, and the rebels fled their strong position, joining the main body except for about 40 who took post in a grove near the palace, some behind trees and others behind a stone wall. The Downshire pursued, followed by the Fraser Fencibles and the Queen's County Militia. After about 20 minutes of resistance the rebels gave way and ran into the town, where they were charged by the Roxborough Fencible Cavalry. Arthur Stock, the bishop's son, a youth of 16, rode in the charge dressed in a red jacket. Once the king's troops took the town, they killed great numbers of the rebels.

Battle near Arklow and general Moore's action precede Vinegar Hill defeat

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

The successful action of general Moore's forces, followed the next day by the rebel defeat on Vinegar Hill, struck terror into the disaffected and saved protestants who had been marked for total extermination.

Read the passage

country were ordered to join the rebel army, deftlned to engage ours, commanded by general Moore. The fucccfsful iffue of that action, and, next day, the defeat of the rebels on Vinegar-hill, ftruck terror into the difafFe£led, and favcd the proteftants at Carrig, and Barrietftown, from being aflaffinated ; for they afterwards received unqueftionable proofs, that their total excifion was refolved on, and would have taken place, but for thefe events. While this gentleman was at Barrietftown, he, and the few proteftants who remained there, were obliged to go to the chapel of Carrig, where father Murphy faid mafs three times every day to the pikemen. After the functions of the day were over, he colledted the proteftants round the altar, on their knees, and inftru6led them in his catechifm, by making them repeat a great deal of fuperftitious nonfenfe, which he read from his breviary.
Some of the proteftants related to me the following circumftances, which they faw from the gallery of the chapel, during the performance of their religious ceremonies : Some wretches, both men and women, ftripped their knees quite bare, at the chapel door, walked all-fours to the altar; moved in that manner from one fide of it to the other, kifled the ground, crofled themfelves, and made fome genuflexions before a niche in the wall, which had relicks in it, or was fuppofed to be endued with fome myfterious fupernaturai power.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg

As the companion tells it

You are coming near Vinegar Hill, the hill outside Enniscorthy in Wexford. In 1798 this was where the rebels were defeated, the day after a successful action by General Moore's forces near Arklow. Those two events together struck terror into the disaffected and saved the Protestants at Carrig and Barriestown from being killed. They had afterwards unquestionable proof that their total extermination had been resolved on and would have taken place but for these events. While at Barriestown the few Protestants who remained were obliged to go to the chapel of Carrig, where Father Murphy said mass three times every day to the pikemen. After the day's functions were over he collected the Protestants round the altar on their knees and instructed them in his catechism, making them repeat a great deal of what one witness called "superstitious nonsense" which he read from his breviary. Some Protestants told of seeing from the chapel gallery how men and women stripped their knees bare at the door, walked on all fours to the altar, kissed the ground, crossed themselves, and made genuflections before a niche in the wall that had relics in it or was supposed to hold some supernatural power.

Betrayal in Captain Jones's yeoman corps at Ballina

Ballina · townland · Mayo · 1798

About thirty Roman Catholic members of Captain Jones's yeoman corps at Ballina, though sworn to a special loyalty test in addition to the standard oath, defected to join the French when the opportunity arose, except three men.

Read the passage

had fworn, fhould be framed and adminiftered to them ; and captain Jones having complied, they all took it with the greatefl readinefs. This ferved as a maik to' their treachery for the prefent, but which they foon threw olf, when an opportunity was afford.^ ed them of joining the French, which they all did, except three, adding defertion, perfidy and perjury, to the crime of treafon.
There are two priefts in the neighbourhood of Bkllina, who have not been taken up or put on their trial. One of thefe conftantly vifited the French and rebel generals at Killala, and gave direclions and orders to them 5 and when an alarm was given one day, while he was celebrating mafs, that the king's troops were approaching, he ordered every mam who had arms, and was able to march, to repair without delay to the French ftandard to oppofe them. The other lived in a parifh the mofl: notorious for difaffedion in the county of Sligo, and a letter from him was difcovered, v/ritten to a rebel commander at Kjllala, communicating the ftate of the country, and . T^^ntioning the neceffity of fending a quantity of fpirituous liquors to keep up the courage of his people, and to make them ready for fervice.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 76

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here in Ballina, back in 1798, Captain Jones had a yeoman corps with about thirty Roman Catholic members. They were sworn to a special loyalty test in addition to the standard oath, and the captain complied in framing it for them. They all took it with great readiness, which the record says served as a mask to their treachery. When the opportunity came to join the French, they all did, except three men, adding desertion, perfidy and perjury to the crime of treason. Two priests in the neighbourhood of Ballina were not taken up or put on trial. One constantly visited the French and rebel generals at Killala, giving them directions and orders. When an alarm came one day while he was celebrating mass that the king's troops were approaching, he ordered every man who had arms and was able to march to repair without delay to the French standard. The other lived in a parish most notorious for disaffection in the county of Sligo, and a letter from him was found, written to a rebel commander at Killala, communicating the state of the country and mentioning the necessity of sending spirituous liquors to keep up the courage of his people.

Bishop Caulfield blesses pikemen heading to the Wexford bridge massacre

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

According to an affidavit by Mrs. Crane, sister to judge Chamberlaine, the popish bishop Doctor Caulfield gave his benediction to the savage pikemen of Wexford as they proceeded to the massacre on the bridge.

Read the passage

Many perfons of undoubted veracity afmred me, that the popifh bifhop, doctor Caulheld, gave his benediction to the favage pikemen as they proceeded to the maffacre on the bridge ; yet I fhould not think of inferting it in this hiftory, if it were not authenticated on the oath of a refpectable gentlewoman who beheld it ; becaufe, however fanguine the doctor might have been in the caufe, I could not have fuppofed that he would have been fo void of difcretion, Mrs. Crane, fifter to judge Chamberlaine, made this affidavit, f
I fliall not take upon me to fay, whether the doctor on this occafion acted in obedience to the councils of Lateran, Conftance, Toledo or Trent, all which are mandatory on perlbns of his permafion to extirpate hereticks ; or whether he acted according to his oath of inauguration^ which requires that he fhould, to the utmolt of his power, perlecute and impugn all hereticks, fchifmaticks, and rebels, againft his fovereign lord the pope ; but in writing a hiftory of the rebellion, I thought that I could not leave fo extraordinary a tranfacticn unrecorded.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 18

As the companion tells it

Coming through Wexford now. In 1798, according to an affidavit by Mrs. Crane, sister to judge Chamberlaine, the Catholic bishop Doctor Caulfield gave his benediction to the pikemen of Wexford as they proceeded to the massacre on the bridge. The author of the account said many persons of undoubted veracity affirmed it to him, but he would not have recorded it had it not been sworn to by a respectable gentlewoman who beheld it herself. He thought it so extraordinary a transaction that he could not leave it unrecorded. He went on to question whether the bishop acted in obedience to the councils of Lateran, Constance, Toledo, or Trent, all of which he calls mandatory on persons of his persuasion to extirpate heretics, or whether he acted according to his oath of inauguration, which requires that he persecute and impugn all heretics, schismatics, and rebels against his sovereign lord the pope.

Capture of artillerymen at the mountain of Forth

near Forth Mountain · mountain or mountain range · Wexford · 1798

Corporal Sheppard's detachment, marching from Duncannon Fort to Wexford, was captured by a large rebel force encamped on the mountain of Forth, along with two howitzers and nine privates. The rebels considered killing them but spared them on believing them Roman Catholic.

Read the passage

fworn on the Holy Evangelifts, maketh oath and faith. That he this examinant, when on his march with a detachment of militia of the Meath regiment from Duncannoii Fort, to the town of Wexford, was taken prifoner on the thirtieth day of May laft, at a place called the mountain of Forth within three miles bf Wexford aforefaid, together with two howitzers, and nine privates belonging to the^faid Royal Irifli artillery, by a numerous body of rebels, who were encamped on the faid mountain. Examinant faith, that as foon as the faid rebels had made him and his comrades prifoners, they were going to put them to death ; but that previous to their doing fo, one of the faid rebels alked them what religion they were of ; and that a private of the faid Royal Irifli artillery, whofe name is Patrick Dungannon, replied, that they were all Roman catholicks, though examinant faith, that he and five more of his faid comrades were proteftants. Examinant faith, he is convinced in his mind, that the faid rebels would have put the whole f>f faid party Tmftantly to death, but that they believed they were Roman catholicks. Examinant faith, that he and his faid comrades were conducted as prifoners to Wexford, on the faid thirtieth day of May, and put into prifon \ fcjit th»t he this examinant and his comrades were committed
392 APPENDIX, No. XX. i.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 157

Carmelite settlers in barony of Tullagh turn to rebellion

Tullagh · townland · Clare · 1796–1798

Carmelite weavers who settled in the barony of Tullagh on the Galway border in 1796 were initially seen as industrious and moral, but by winter 1798 began secret nightly meetings, plundering arms and making pikes.

Read the passage

A number of flrangers, who were all of the Carmelite order, went into the county of Clare in the year 1796, and fettled, in the barony of Tullagh, on the borders of the county of Galway. The moft part of them were weavers, and as they were very induftrious, and leemed to have a great purity of morals, conftantly recommending fobriety and good order to the multitude, the gentlemen of the country rejoiced at their arrival. Thus tliey continued to be protected, till the winter of the year 1798, when they bciran to hold lecret nightly meetings, to plunder the houfes of proteftants, particularly the yeomen, of arms, and to cut down great quantities of young afli trees to make pike handles, and to employ tlie blackimiths in making pikes. On the twelfth and thirteenth of January, 1799, thev and the profelytes whom they initiated into the Carmelite order, to the number of feveral thoufands, affembied in the day at ^lilltown and InnifLimmonj and moved forward apparently with an intention of meeting the king's troops ; but on their approach under general Meyrick, they fled to the momitains of Slievecullane, which are inaccefiibie ; thev pretended ta furrender their arras, but it was well known that they kept the beft, and die greater part of them. Soon after tlieir rifmg they houghed great quantities of cattle, for whicli compeniation was made to die fufterers by large funis of money levied by the orrand jury on the county ; they went with unparalleled alfurance next day, to the places where they had committed thefe acts of favage cruelty, to carry - ' '
APPENDIX, No. XI.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

Deegan mistaken identity leads to hanging at Maryborough

near Maryborough · townland · Cork · 1798

A messenger sent to fix the rising time mistakenly delivered a treasonous letter to a loyal man also named Deegan, who had him captured and conveyed to Stradbally; the rebel messenger was later hanged at Maryborough.

Read the passage

A mefTenger was fent from the dire£l:ory rn Dublin, with a letter to a man of the name of Deegan, a leader of the United Irifhmen, to fix the tiine for rifmg ; in a miftake, he went to a loyal perfon of the fame name, who entertained a,nd plied him with drink ; and in the mean time fent for a guard of foldiers, who conveyed him a prifoner - to Stradbally, and he was afterwards hanged at Maryborough. Many murders and atrocities were committed in this county, and moft of the proteftant houfes were plundered of arms, except fuch whofe inmates were able to defend them.
ne co7ifpiracy in the county of Clare.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

Delivery of gold to Nicholas Sheehy at Shanbally

Shanbally · townland · Tipperary

After his acquittal, Thomas Rawley was sent by Archbishop Butler to deliver a letter and purse of gold to Nicholas Sheehy at his sister's house at Shanbally, where Sheehy poured out about seventy pieces of gold on the table.

Read the passage

That fome fliort time after he met faid Quinn in Thurles, and was conducted by him to the houfe of James Butler, titular archbifhop of Cafliel, and into his company. That after being introduced to him, faid Butler, the fervant was fent out of the way, and then faid Butler took a book out of his pocket, and re-fwore your informant as before; viz. to be true and faithful to the king of France, and his right king Charles ; and to obey the orders of his commanding officers in all things. That he then gave your informant fome claret, and afterwards difmdfled him with his blefiing for that time. That your informant continued a twelvemonth after in the fervice of the vvhiteboys, 'till he was apprehended, and lodged in Clonmell gaol, and brought to his trial for high treafon and rebellion againft his majefty* for which, though guilty, he was publickly acquitted. That after his acquittal and enlargement, he went to fee the aforefaid James Butler, (by whom he was very kindly received, and alfo fupported whilfl in confinement.) That after refrefliment given to him by faid Butler, he was fent by him to the late Nicholas Sheehy, with a purfe of gold from him, faid Butler, with this meflage, " That he had only received this money from Dublin the day before, elfc he would have fent it to him fconer." * Your informant further depofeth, that the aforefaid Butler did then aflure him, that they foon fhould have Ireland in their own hands, and that they would certainly be fupported by an invafion from France, with prince Charles at their head ; and hereupon he difmifled him upon his errand, firft giving him an Englifh crown to bear his expences. That he went directly thence to Nicholas Sheehy, and found him at his filler's
houfe

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 124

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Shanbally, Nicholas Sheehy was staying at his sister's house when a man named Thomas Rawley arrived carrying a purse of gold from Archbishop James Butler of Cashel. Rawley had been a Whiteboy, sworn by Butler to be faithful to the king of France and Prince Charles, and to obey his commanding officers. He served the Whiteboys for a twelvemonth, was then apprehended, lodged in Clonmel gaol, and brought to trial for high treason and rebellion. Though guilty, he was publicly acquitted. After his release he went back to Butler, who had supported him during his confinement and received him kindly. Butler gave him refreshment, then sent him to Sheehy with the gold and a message: that he had only received this money from Dublin the day before, else he would have sent it sooner. Butler also told Rawley they would soon have Ireland in their own hands and would be supported by an invasion from France with Prince Charles at their head. He gave Rawley an English crown for his expenses, and Rawley went directly to Sheehy here at his sister's house, where the purse was opened and about 70 pieces of gold poured out on the table.

Denis Carthy and James Maher confess burning Turner's house at Ballingale

Ballingale · townland · Wexford · 1798

According to Cambra Carthy's testimony, Denis Carthy and James Maher left Ballycarney to destroy Rev. Francis Turner's house at Ballingale, returned to declare they had shot and burned Turner and killed five other men there, with blood from the killing shown on Maher's breeches.

Read the passage

duly fworn and examined, depofeth and faith. That on the morning of the twenty-feventh of May laft, Denis Carthy, of the city of Dublin, Mofes Redmond, of Ballycarney, farmer, with many other perfons unknown to informant, left the houfe of faid William Carthy, of Ballycarney, with' the profelfed intention of going to the houfe of the reverend Francis Turner, of Ballingale, in this county, to deftroy the fame ; that in about three, hours after, he, the feid Denis Carthy, returned to the faid houfe of William Carthy,, accompanied by James Maher, of Ballycarney, publican 5 and both the faid Denis Carthy and James Maher, did there and then declare, that they, with a number of other perfons unknown to informant, had broke open and afterwards burned the houfe of the faid Francis Turner, of Eallingale, and that they had ihot the faid Francis Turner, and afterwards burned him in his houfe ; and that the faid James Maher did declare to informant, that a quantity of blood, which appeared on his breeches, was the blood of the faid Francis Turner; and the faid Denis Carthy and James Maher did declare, they had alfo killed, at the houfe of faid Francis Turner, five other men, one of whom, fell by the hands of the faid Denis Carthy, as he the faid- Denis Carthy did declare.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 148

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

Trial of James Beaghan for Heyden's murder

Whiteboy rescue party assembles at Clogheen

Attack on Enniscorthy by Father John Murphy

Attack on minister's house at Oulart

Attack on Mr Bagenal's house

Battle of Castlecomer begins under cover of dense fog

Burning of examinant's house and concealment at Dranay

Captain Cills's Resistance at Killala Castle Gate

Captain Russel shot after capture at Tubbercurry

Coffey flogged and hanged at Tullamore barrack

Corporal Orange executed for his name at Kellymount circle

Croagh Patrick prophesied as place of refuge

Executioner Murtagh Keane said to have killed 300 on Vinegar Hill

Eyewitness hides in plantation as rebels march through Edgeworthstown

Father Edward Murphy orders protestants to rebel camp at Carrig

Father Sweeny's Service to the French and Execution at Castlebar

Feathard protestants saved by mock conversion to mass

French soldiers billeted with Castlebar resident during occupation

Garret Murphy's account of rebel movements between Ross, Carrick, Clonmel and Waterford

General Loftus's surprise flank assault on Vinegar Hill

Girls rescued from custody bound for Killan prison

Lewis Bulger's conversation with Mrs Heydon on the rebellion's aims

Lieutenant Hunt's body left exposed on the road near Vinegar Hill

Marquis of Waterford's offer at Hollywood and its house burned in retaliation

Massacres presided over by father Roche on Vinegar Hill

Mr Otway's use of whipping to extract confession at Castle Otway

Mrs Wilson killed as house burned at Castlecomer

Murder of Gray Thomas proved at Vinegar Hill

Murder of James Hyland and his wife near Trim

Murder of St. George and Uniacke in Cork

O'Keon's rostrum speech in the street of Ballina

Pitched caps forced on prisoners at Gorey market-house

Priests feasting with French at Killala on plundered goods

Priest's Letter Describing Rebel Camp and Bishop's Conduct

Prisoners piked on Wexford bridge

Rebel assembly at Milltown and Ennistymon disperses to Slievecallan

Rebel camp at Lord Moira's house, Ballynahinch

Rebel camp formed and battle at Vinegar Hill

Rebel guard halts massacre at Wexford Bridge amid alarm from Vinegar Hill

Rebel leader at Tintern directs captives to Scullabogue

Rebel march to Vinegar Hill killing Protestants along the way

Robert Whitney's ordeal at Enniscorthy and Vinegar Hill

Sterne's family hides four days in Ringwood after fleeing Enniscorthy

The 'blessed priest of Bannow' blesses rebels

Torture confession of Carey, stone-cutter, in Waterford

Wexford massacre and the black flag on the quay

Whiteboy recruit re-sworn by titular archbishop at Thurles

Itinerant Carmelite preacher discovered near Burren holy well

Captain Butler's heroic ride through burning Castlecomer street

Ambush plot against Captain Westropp's corps at Blarney

Banditti gather at Affane to destroy Pierce Power's seat

Battle for Killala as rebels defend the town

Battle near Arklow and general Moore's action precede Vinegar Hill defeat

Betrayal in Captain Jones's yeoman corps at Ballina

Bishop Caulfield blesses pikemen heading to the Wexford bridge massacre

Capture of artillerymen at the mountain of Forth

Carmelite settlers in barony of Tullagh turn to rebellion

Deegan mistaken identity leads to hanging at Maryborough

Delivery of gold to Nicholas Sheehy at Shanbally

Denis Carthy and James Maher confess burning Turner's house at Ballingale