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)

Deputy Postmaster's Account of French Landing at Rutland

Rutland Island or Inishmacadurn · townland · Donegal · 1798

Francis Foster, Deputy Postmaster at Rutland, reported being held prisoner in his own house for hours while French officers under Tandy occupied the island, took a cow and swine (paying for them), and eventually sailed off toward the north-east after firing a gun.

Read the passage

mountains, and feem not at all inclined to join thenii; we have not a military man nearer than Ballyfliannon foity miles, or Lettcrkcnay twenty-live, although there is an excellent new barrack here ready to receive one hundred men j they had a great number of Irilh on board, their force about two hundred and fifty men ; and are perfe(£tly acquainted with the coali. Their drift is evidently to encourage uifa<Te£l:ion. I was a prifoner in my own houfe four or five hours until the pofl came in 3 they had centinels on every point of the illaiul, to prevent intelligence being immediately <lifpatched. I am jult informed by one of the officers, that they were determined to land their arms here, but upon a confultafion, after they found their countrymen had been defeated, they altered their plan;
I have the honour to be

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 180

Execution of Harvey, Grogan and Prendergast

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Harvey and Grogan, along with Patrick Prendergast, a wealthy malster, were executed together, with Harvey described as a weak man led astray and Grogan denying guilt while claiming he acted under compulsion.

Read the passage

Meflieurs Harvey and Grogan, and Patrick Prendergaft, a rich malfler, were executed at the fame time.
The former was a weak man, who fell a facrifice to the malign influence of bafe and defigning men, who cheriihed in him difaffeclion to the ftate, which made him a fanguine advocate for reforming our conftitution ; the various excellencies of which he was as incapable of difcerning, as an infect is the grandeur and elegance of a magnificent edifice.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 29

As the companion tells it

In this town of Wexford in 1798, three men were executed together. Harvey and Grogan were joined by Patrick Prendergast, a wealthy malster. Harvey was described as a weak man, led astray by base and designing men who fostered disaffection in him. Grogan denied his guilt, claiming he acted under compulsion.

Executions in the town of Wexford, 1798-1800

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798–1800

A list is given of persons executed in the town of Wexford for crimes of rebellion and murder, from the retaking of the town by the royal army on 21 June 1798 to 18 December 1800, including John Hay, Philip Roche (priest), Matthew Keugh, and Bagenal Harvey.

Read the passage

A lijl of perfons executed in the town of Wexford^ for the crimes of rebellion, murder y '^c. from the retaking of the town by the royal army, June the twenty-frjly 1 798, to the
* eighteenth of December, 1800.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 176

As the companion tells it

This is the town of Wexford. After the royal army retook it on 21 June 1798, a list was kept of persons executed here for rebellion and murder, running to 18 December 1800. Among those named were the priest Philip Roche, Bagenal Harvey, Matthew Keugh, and John Hay.

Father Cowley holds and then releases protestant prisoners at Ballina

Ballina · townland · Mayo · 1798

Father Owen Cowley held one hundred and twenty protestant prisoners at Ballina, threatening execution, but on hearing news of the defeat at Ballynamuck released them with mildness instead.

Read the passage

Father Owen Cowley had one hundred and twenty proteitant priibners at Ballina, whom he mocked, and told infultingly that they fhould be executed next day ; but early in the morning fome of the prifoners perceived an exprefs arrive, about whom the reverend father and fome of his friends, flocked, and interrogated with much earneftnefs. Soon after, he approached the prifon with a dejeded countenance, and, inflead of contumely, he addrelfed the prifoners with mildnefs and complaifance, and told them they migjit go wherever they chofe. The intelligence
which '

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 101

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ballina, in 1798, Father Owen Cowley held 120 protestant prisoners. He mocked them and told them they would be executed the next day. But early that morning an express messenger arrived, and Cowley and his friends gathered round to question him with much earnestness. After that Cowley came to the prison looking deflated, and instead of insults spoke to the prisoners with mildness. He told them they could go wherever they chose. The news was of the defeat at Ballynamuck.

Father Murphy tries prisoners at Castlecomer church

Castlecomer · town · Kilkenny · 1798

General Father Murphy kept aloof from the fighting near the Castlecomer church, where he tried protestant prisoners as orangemen, and later sent a black servant of the Countess of Ormond to negotiate terms.

Read the passage

was kept up, and not a rebel wais fulFered to crofs the bridge alive. At length when their ammunition was almoft expended, general father Murphy, who had kept aloof from the heat of the adion, near the church where they tried their prifoners, fent a black fervant of the countefs of Ormond, whom they had taken prifoner, to inform thofe who fired from the houfes, " That if they marched out with their hats on the top of their guns, their lives fhould be faved ; that it was in vain to refift any longer, as he expeded a reinforcement from Ballyragget immediately/* They detained his ambalTador for fome time, and at length fent the reverend general v/ord, that they would fubmit if he would by the fame meflfenger fend them a written affurance of mercy. This they did to gain time; and.foon after they obferved the trdops from Kilkenny lining the hills, and taking their pofitions to attack the rebels. General fir Charles Afgill, with nine hundred men, went to their relief, and a few rounds of grape-fliot foori diflodged the rebels, who retreated the way they came, in a flow pace, and in an irregular manner.
When fir Charles arrived near the tovm, he fent a detachment of the Wextbrd, under lieutenant colonel Ram, (v/hich were foon joined by the grenadiers of the Wicklow) and a party of cavalry, to take poft on a bridge contiguous to it, and on the Doonane fide of it ; and after firing a few rounds of grape into Caftlecomer, they marched into it. At that time the rebels, a fev/ itragglers excepted, had abandoned it ; but two of them, who remained under the bridge, fired up the ftreet feveral times, and wounded two of the Wicklow regiment. Lady Ormond's manfion, and feveral other houfes in the town V ere then in a blaze ; and the heat was fo great, that the bombardier of the Wicklow regiment requefted that fir Charles would change his pofition, as he was afraid that the guns might go off; upon

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 50

Father Roche harangues fleeing rebels near the bridge

Wexford Bridge · street · Wexford · 1798

Father Roche, mounted with a drawn sword, addressed the fleeing rebels in the street near the bridge, urging them to support him in extirpating heretics, but they turned on him, blaming him for their ruin.

Read the passage

A very refpedable lady inf"ormed me, that father Roche, the general, on horfeback, and with a drawn fword, harangued the rebels in the ftreet, and endeavoured to infpire them with courage, before her window. He told them, " that they were of the only true faith, which was the faith of Jefus Chrill, and that if they would fuppbrt him in the extirpation of hereticks, they would foon have but one religion but they were deaf to his exhortations, and . fome of them faid, " By my foul, father Roche, we have flood by you too long ; we are forry we ever came to you, for you have deceived and ruined us !" I have already quoted the journal of a refpedable Lady, who refided near the bridge. I fhall now give the reader her obfervations on the events which took place the day that the town was evacuated. She mentioned before, that the black flag had been carried about in proceflion, to announce that the malTa-. ere was to be renewed.
" About four o'clock Mr. Redmond and dodor Jacob came to us. They had been fired at in the ftreet. The dodor was as compofed as I am now ; but I really never faw fuch firmnefs of mind as he poiTeflfes on all occafions. Mr. R — faid, " The general malfacre is going to begin, and that he came to fave us, or rather to fhare our fate, for he feared we could not efcape however he had got a boat,

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 23

As the companion tells it

Along here in 1798, Father Roche, the rebel general, rode out on horseback with a drawn sword and harangued the fleeing rebels in the street, before the window of a respectable lady who lived near the bridge. He tried to inspire them with courage. He told them that they were of the only true faith, which was the faith of Jesus Christ, and that if they would support him in the extirpation of heretics, they would soon have but one religion. But they were deaf to his exhortations. Some of them turned on him and said, "By my soul, father Roche, we have stood by you too long. We are sorry we ever came to you, for you have deceived and ruined us." The lady who witnessed this from her window near the bridge also recorded what followed. About four o'clock, Mr. Redmond and Doctor Jacob came to her. They had been fired at in the street. The doctor was composed. Mr. Redmond said the general massacre was going to begin, and that he had come to save them, or rather to share their fate, for he feared they could not escape. He had got a boat.

French marksmen posted on hill near Ballynamuck

Ballynamuck · townland · Cork · 1798

The French had posted marksmen on the brow of a hill near where Sarrasin surrendered to flank the pursuing troops; General Lake discovered them and ordered a charge, leading to their surrender after the French continued firing cannon.

Read the passage

Previous to this, the French had pofled a body of markfmen on the brow of a hill, about a quarter of a mile from where Sarrafm had furrendered, in order to take our troops on the left flank as they palTed. General Lake, whofe fpirit and vigilance are well knov\"n, being confiderably in front of our light infantry and cavalry, very fortunately difcovered them in time to prevent them from doing us any injury. He ordered the light infantry and cavalry to afcend the hill, whofe top intervening, prevented them from perceiving each other till they were within a hundred yards. After a few difcharges, our light infantry and cavalry charged, on which the French threw down their arms, and the rebels who attended them fied into an adjacent bog. The Frenchmen continued firing their cannon till the markfmen had furrendered, which, if they had been well fened, muii: have done very great mifchief, as our troops moved down a hill from the place where Sarrafin had furrendered, v. hich expof<;d them to the enemy'?; fire.
The following circumftance attended the furrender of the French : The earl of Roden and colonel Crawford, vho led on the advanced guard, confifling of his lordfhip's fencibles, perceiving an ofHcer who feemed defirous to communicate with them, lord Roden ordered his trumpet to found, which was anfwered by the French, when his lordfnip advrfnced into the French lines. The officer politely aiked them what their wifhes were ? they anlwered, to fave the effuhon of -blood, and defired them to ^ fuiTender. 1 he officer faid, that he did not command, but that he would go to general Humbert, which he accordingly did. Humbert came up, afked the iame quefticnj and received a fmiilar anfwer. He then demanded half an hour to give a final aixfwer, which was granted, on condition that he

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 106

General Trench reconnoitres and is fired upon near Castlebar

Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

A yeoman warned General Trench of French forces advancing near Barnageehy. Trench rode out to reconnoitre but was fired on by the French advance guard about three miles from Castlebar, then retreated to organize defenses on a hill northwest of the town.

Read the passage

geehy, arrived, and informed general Trench that he had feen a large body of men in blue clothes advancing that way ; on which the general proceeded to reconnoitre, attended bv a few drap-oons ; but when he had advanced about three miles from Caftlebar, he was fired on by the advanced guard of the French. He then returned v/ith. the utmoft fpeed, and marched the garrifon to a rifing ground outfide the town, which he had fixed on the preceding day as an alarm poft, fhould the enemy advance to attack themx. It was on a hill at the north-weft extremity of the town, running from eafl to wefl, and commanding a rifmg ground oppofite to it, over which the French muff neceflarily pafs, and at the diflance of about one thoiifand yards.
Our line was drawn up in the following order : The Kilkenny militia, the fkeleton of the 6th regiment of foot, and a fubaltern's detachment of the prince of Wales's fencibles, formed the firft line. The Frafer fencibles, with a fmall corps of Galwav yeomen infantry, formed a fecond hne ; but both drawn up in irregular lines, fo as to occupy the fummits of the heights they were deflined to defend. The four companies of the Longford v/ere drawn up in a valley in the rear, and a little on the left of the main body of the Kilkenny. The cavalry, confifting of the ifl fencibles, and a part of the 6th dragoon guards, were flationed in the rear of the firfl line, lome piquets excepted, who had been previoufly fent out, and fome yeomen cavalry, who were polled in different quarters.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 93

As the companion tells it

As the road brings you near Castlebar in Mayo, this is where General Trench rode out to reconnoitre French forces advancing on the town. A yeoman had arrived to warn him of a large body of men in blue clothes coming by way of Barnageehy. Trench set out with a few dragoons, but about three miles from Castlebar the French advance guard fired on him, and he returned with all speed. He then marched the garrison to a rising ground at the northwest extremity of the town, a hill he had fixed on the day before as an alarm post. From there it commanded the ground over which the French must necessarily pass. The first line was held by the Kilkenny militia, the 6th regiment of foot, and a detachment of the Prince of Wales's fencibles. Behind them stood the Fraser fencibles and a small corps of Galway yeomen infantry. The four companies of the Longford were drawn up in a valley to the rear, and cavalry consisting of the fencibles and part of the 6th dragoon guards were stationed behind the first line.

Hanging of Walsh the Recruiter at Ballina

Ballina · townland · Mayo · 1798

Before leaving Ballina, government troops hanged a man named Walsh who had been found recruiting for the French with a commission in his pocket; his body was later honoured by French officers and laid in state at the Catholic chapel.

Read the passage

Our troops, before they left that town, hanged a man of the name of Walfh, whom they found in the a6l of recruiting for the French, a commiffion from whom they found in his pocket. This was Walfh the younger, who had been charged at Sligo, before general Taylor, with treafonable practices, but whom he Hberated in confcquence of the excellent character given of him by fome magiflrates and others.
The French officers having found his body fufpended when they entered the town, each of them gave it the fraternal embrace, and bedewed it with tears of fympathetic civifm ; and after having expofed it fome time in the flreet, to excite the indignation of the populace againft the loyahfts, it was carried to the Romifli chapel, where it lay in flate with as much pomp and ceremony as if he had been the greatefl hero or patriot of the age.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 82

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here in 1798, government troops hanged a man named Walsh before they left Ballina. They caught him recruiting for the French and found a commission in his pocket. This was Walsh the younger, who had been charged with treasonable practices at Sligo before General Taylor but released because of the excellent character given him by magistrates and others. When the French officers entered the town and found his body hanging, each gave it what the source calls the fraternal embrace and bedewed it with tears. They exposed it in the street to stir indignation against the loyalists, then carried it to the Catholic chapel, where it lay in state with as much ceremony as if he had been the greatest hero of the age.

Lord Roden's fencibles rescue captured cannon near Castlebar

Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

French dragoons pursued the retreating British army over a mile from Castlebar and captured a piece of cannon, but a party of Lord Roden's fencibles rescued the gun and killed five of the pursuing dragoons.

Read the passage

A party of French dragoons purfued our retreating army above a mile from the town, and took a piece of cannon, which they were on the point of turning on our rear ; but a party of lord Roden's fencibles refcued the gun, and killed five of them.
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 :

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 95

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Castlebar in Mayo, you are on ground where the 1798 rebellion reached this town. After a battle here, French dragoons pursued the retreating British army for over a mile and captured a cannon, meaning to turn it on the British rear. A party of Lord Roden's fencibles rescued the gun and killed five of the pursuing dragoons. A resident of the town left an account of French soldiers who lodged in his house. He begged them to spare his life and his wife's, and they raised the couple from their knees. The soldiers demanded bread, beef, wine and beer, and he supplied what he could. Rebels who came with them plundered the house at first, but when they returned, the French soldiers drove them off and punished them. One of the soldiers, Philip Sheens, came from Holland. The man gave him his watch, and Sheens gave it back. Another, Bartholomew Baillie from Paris, had been a priest before becoming a soldier and, as the account puts it, "he denied a future existence." A Spaniard called Ballisceau had been a soldier since fifteen, a prisoner in Prussia, Paris and London, confined in a dungeon at Constantinople, and had crossed the Alps with Bonaparte. His body, head and face were covered with wounds.

Major Vallaton mortally wounded near Enniscorthy/Wexford

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1793

Insurgents assembled near Enniscorthy threatening to break open the gaol, then marched to Wexford to free prisoners; major Vallaton led troops to oppose them and was mortally wounded while expostulating with the crowd.

Read the passage

eath took place very generally in the beginning of the year, J 793, in the county of Wexford. - In the month of July, a number of them aflembled near Ennifcorthy, and after threatening to break open the gaol_, they proceeded in immenfe numbers to Wexford, to libera.tc the prifoners confined there •, and the brave major Vallaton, having led out a detachment of the fifty-fixth regiment to oppofe them, and while humanely expoltulating with them, they gave him fome defperate woumls, of which he died foon after. Great numbers of the infurgents were kilkd and wounded.
There was a dreadful fpirit of infurgency in various parts of the county of Limerick in the month of July, v/hich lafted fome days. Near Limerick, the infurgenttj had an engagement with part of the thirty-eighth regiment, who ^ killed and wounded fon^e of them j however, the fame • party afterwards burned the houfe of Mr. Oliver, who narrowly efcaped with his life, -

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 133

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, you are on ground where, in July 1793, a great crowd of insurgents marched here from Enniscorthy to free the prisoners confined in the town. They had first gathered near Enniscorthy and threatened to break open the gaol there, before proceeding in immense numbers to Wexford. Major Vallaton led out a detachment of the 56th regiment to oppose them. While he was humanely expostulating with the crowd, they gave him some desperate wounds, of which he died soon after. Great numbers of the insurgents were killed and wounded in the clash.

Mr Daniel piked on Wexford bridge after being refused sanctuary

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Revenue officer Mr Daniel sought protection at Dr Caulfield's house when rebels entered Wexford but was refused; he was subsequently imprisoned and later piked on the bridge.

Read the passage

Mr. Daniel, a revenue officer, folicited the protection of do6tor Caulfield's hqufe, when the rebels entered Wexford j but the doiflor obdurately refulied his requeft. Mr. Daniel was imprifoned, and afterwards piked on the bridge.
The dodor boafts, in page 23, of a letter (given in his Appendix) which he wrote to James Boyd, efquire, collector of Wexford ; but he does not acknowledge that he received an anfwer to it ; an anfv/er which, I believe, he would not wiih to fub<nit to the perufal of the publick.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 184

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, you are on the ground where rebels entered the town in 1798. A revenue officer named Mr Daniel fled to Dr Caulfield's house and begged for protection, but the doctor refused him. Mr Daniel was imprisoned and later piked on the bridge. Dr Caulfield afterwards boasted of a letter he wrote to James Boyd, the collector of Wexford, though he never acknowledged receiving any reply.

Murder of an elderly Protestant sergeant at Prosperous

Prosperous · town · Kildare · 1798

During the rebel attack on Prosperous, an old man of seventy who had served as a sergeant in the king's forces was murdered by the rebels because he was a Protestant, though they claimed to consider him an orangeman.

Read the passage

4:hat foon after he went out, with an Intention of enquiring ■for his friend Mr. Norris, an inhabitant of Profperous aforefaitl ; and that before examinant had gone far, he was again furrounded by the faid rebels, who, he verily believes, would have put liim to death but for the interference of the perfon who had favcd hirn before. Examinant faith, lie .difcovered foon after that Mr.. Brewer, a refpeftable manufa6^:urer of faid town, who had employed many of the faid rebels, had been maHacred by them, and that his body had been mangled with favagc barbarity Examinant faith, that they alfO maffacred a poor old man, of the age of feventy years, and upv/ards, who ferved as a ferjeant in his majefty's forees, having eonfidered him as an orangemati, though examinant is convinced in his mind that the only reafon why the faid rebels murdered the faid ferjeant v/as his being lA protefhant. Examinant faith, that when the faid rebels had committed the faid barbarities, they exclaimed with favage joy, " Where are the hereticks nov/ ? Shew us the face o£ an Orangeman !" Examinant faith, that many women who were a£ling with the faid rebels ufed expreffions of that tenor, as often and as loiid as the men ; and that fome old women who were amongft them, feemed to brighten up on the occafion, and to fhew as much fervent joy as the youngeft amongft them : That fome of the faid women kiffed and congratulated their fathers, their hufbands^ or their brothers, 6n the vi6lory they gained, and exclaim.ed with joy, The 'kiiigdorri is our own, for Dublin and Naas have beeii taken, and are in poirelhon of our friends — down with the hereticks ! dov/n with the orangemen !" Examinant faith, that many of the wretches who had been a£^ors in that bloody fcene, had com.e intp the town of Profperous aforefaid the preceding day^ and in the prefence of captain Swayne, of the city of Ccrk militia, (whom with a party of his regi-* ment, they had maffacred that morning, viz. the twentyfourth of May,) and alfo in the prefence of their parifti priefl, of the name of Higgins, had declared their contrition for their paft errors, and gave the ftrongefl alTurance of their loyalty in future ; that many of the faid rebels fiirrendered their pikes to the faid Swayne ; and as fuch furrender was eonfidered as a teft of their repentance, and as neceffary to entitle them to a written protection, numbers of them lamented that they could not obtain fuch protection, as they never had a pike j and that many of them de-' clared, they would fell their cow to purchafc a pike, if they Vol. II. Z knevtr

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 137

Murder of Rev. Mr. Knipe by Defenders

Meath · county · Meath · 1795–1796

The house of Rev. Mr. Knipe, a Protestant clergyman in County Meath, was attacked at night by a large body of Defenders. He killed one attacker in defence, but they later murdered him and mangled his body savagely.

Read the passage

In the county of Meath, the houfe of the reverend Mr. Knipe, a proteftant clergyman, was attacked in the night, by a large body of defenders. In his defence he killed one of them ; in revenge, they afterwards murdered him, and mangled his body with favage barbarity.
In Augult, in the neighbourhood of Finglas, the houfes of Mr. Rowe, and many others, were plundered of arms.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 137

As the companion tells it

As you travel through County Meath, this is the ground where the house of Rev. Mr. Knipe, a Protestant clergyman, was attacked at night by a large body of Defenders. He killed one of them in his own defence. In revenge, they came back and murdered him, and mangled his body with savage barbarity.

Murder of Shepherd Parslow at Oldcourt

Oldcourt · townland · Wexford · 1798

Four armed men entered Elizabeth Dobbyn's house at Oldcourt on 19 September and murdered Shepherd Parslow of Bruchurrow, who had come from Ross to save his harvest, and also beat Dobbyn and her elderly mother.

Read the passage

fons, and a woman who was a prifoner, called for a ilraught of water, and one of the rebel guards afked them if they would drink fait water, and faid, " Damnation to " you, ye orange dogs, down with your prayers." And a rebel woman faid, " Do they want water ? give them poifon !" That on Saturday, the ninth of Junelaft, deponent went to Scullabogue to look for the bodies of her hufband and fons, who flie had been told were burnt in the barn on Tuefday the fifth of June. That flie found the barn burnt and full of dead bodies, all in a {landing pofture, fome with their limbs burnt olF, and others with their bowels hanging out, and others with their faces and features disfigured with the fire. That deponent could not diftinguifh the bodies of her hufband and fons from the other dead. That about two or three nights after the faid ninth of Jime laft, as deponent was in bed with two young children, her houfe at Old-court was entered by a "great number of mei^ armed with pikes, who faid they came to fearch for orangemen, having heard that deponent harboured them ; deponent replied there were no men there, that her hufband and fons were taken from her. They took a light and fearched the houfe and out-offices, and then went away. That on the 19th day of September laft, deponent's houfe at Old-court aforefaid, was entered by four men armed with piftols, who murdered there Shepherd Parflow of Bruchurrow in faid parifli, who had gone cut of Rofs to fave his harvefl at faid Bruchurrow, and beat deponent and broke her collar-bone, and ftruck and cut deponent's mother, an old woman almofl eighty years old. That on deponent's afking them if it was not a fin to ufe a poor chriftian fo cruelly ? they replied, fhe was no chriftian, and who had made her a chriftian ? they then robbed deponent of what they pleafed to take from her and went away.
her

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 161

Ninety-seven Protestants massacred at Wexford bridge on 20 June 1798

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

The author states that ninety-seven Protestants were put to death at Wexford on the twentieth of June, citing a bloody calendar of all the protestant prisoners there in his possession as proof against lower estimates.

Read the passage

In this maimer they put ninety-feven proteflants to death, at Wexford, on the twentieth of June- Some perfoas have faid that the number did no£ exceed ninety-five ; but the bloody calendar, of all the proteftant prifoners there^ which I have in my poC- JelTion, puts ,this beyond a doubt.
On the trials of Peter Byrne and Ignatius Rofliter^ at Wexford, the former the fourteenth of June, 1 799^ the latter the twentieth of February, iSoc, two menv. bers of the bloody committee that fat in the gaol, the following fads Vvere proved upon oath : Kennet jViatthewfon, John Atkin, Richard and Jofeph Gan^ ford, proteflants, and prifoners in jthe gaol, were led before that fanguinary tribunal to be tried. One of fhe prifoners having alked Roffiter, " What they meant to do with them He replied, that " They were on the blctck lift." Peter Byrne, member of the committee, had a piftoi in his hand, and on feeing the prifoners, exclaimed in a rage, It is not by two or three that you are to let us have the prifojil^rs, i^meaning to execute) for if you do not let us

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 15

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, this is the town where ninety-seven Protestants were put to death on the twentieth of June in 1798. Some people claimed the number did not exceed ninety-five, but the author says he had a bloody calendar of all the Protestant prisoners there in his possession, which put the figure beyond doubt. At trials of Peter Byrne and Ignatius Rositer, two members of the bloody committee that sat in the gaol, further facts were proved on oath. Kenneth Matthewson, John Atkin, Richard and Joseph Ganford, Protestants held as prisoners in the gaol, were led before that tribunal to be tried. One of the prisoners asked Rositer what they meant to do with them. He replied that they were, in the source's words, "on the black list." Peter Byrne, a member of the committee, had a pistol in his hand and exclaimed in a rage that it was not by two or three that they were to have the prisoners executed.

Old windmill on Vinegar Hill used as rebel prison

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

Edward St. Leger deposed that on 1 June 1798 he was made prisoner and brought to the old windmill on Vinegar Hill, which the rebels used as a prison, where he witnessed a horribly mutilated prisoner whose eyes were gone and tongue apparently cut out.

Read the passage

Evangelifts, depofeth and faith. That on the firft day of june lad, he was made a prifoner by a party of rebels, and brought to the old wind-miii on Vinegar-hiil, in find county, and v/hich the rebels ufed as a prifon. That he remained in faid prifon about half an hour, when He was rekafcd at the interccflion of one Fenlon. Deponent faith, as he was leaving the prifon, he faw a man fitting on the ground without clothes, with a bit of a ragged-blanket thrown over him, that he never fiuv fo horrible a figure, tliat his
eyes

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 152

As the companion tells it

As you pass Vinegar Hill in Wexford, you are near the site of an old windmill that rebels used as a prison in 1798. Edward St. Leger deposed that on 1 June 1798 a party of rebels made him prisoner and brought him there. He was held about half an hour before being released through the intercession of one Fenlon. As he was leaving the prison he saw a man sitting on the ground without clothes, with a ragged blanket thrown over him. He said he never saw so horrible a figure. The man's eyes were gone and his tongue appeared to have been cut out.

Piper affidavit: George Piper's capture and death at Vinegar Hill

near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798–1799

Anne Piper's sworn testimony describes her husband George Piper's arrest at Vinegar Hill, his release, re-arrest at Milltown-bridge near Ferns, a priest's refusal to save him, and his eventual death on Vinegar Hill, witnessed by a relative.

Read the passage

him to be put to death, and repeatedly faid and fwore that he and every perfon of his profeffion that came in his way fhould be put to death ; on which the faid George Piper produced a pafs obtained from, one William Lacy, a rebel leader, and commiflary to the rebels on Vinegar-hill aforefaid, to enable him to go and to fecure his perfon, while he went to father Edward Redmond aforefaid ; but as the faid GofF declared that the faid pafs was a forgery, fhe, this deponent, went off with the utmoft fpeed to the faid Edward Redmond, whom fhe foiicited to fave the life of her hufband, but the faid Edward Redmond declared that he could not, and would not do any thing for deponent or her hufband, though the father of deponent and the faid Edward Redmond had always lived on terms of intimate friendfliip. Deponent faith, (he returned dire6lly to Milltown-bridge aforefaid, and that {he told the faid rebels, though falfely, in hopes of faving her hufband's life, that the faid prieft deiired that her hufband {hould be conducted to him, and he was accordingly led by a party of rebels before faid prieft. Deponent faith, that the faid prieft became very angry, an(J much enraged, on feeing her and her hufband, and declared he would do nothing for her, or any of her hufband's fort, and he ordered the faid George Piper to Vinegar-hill, to fuffer, where he would get his deferts ; and faid, that he and all his fort, that came in his way, fhould die, though deponent on her knees, and with tears in her eyes, foiicited him by the early friendjfhip of their fathers, and their clofe intimacy as neighbours, to fave her huihand's life j but the fai4 prieft remained deaf to her intreaties, and ordered her hufband tp Vinegar-hill to fuffer ; in confequence of which deponeat faith, a rebel attempted to put her faid hufband to death with a pike, but the faid prieft feized the rebel in his arms, and ordered the faid rebels to take the faid George Piper to Vinegar-hill, the place of fufferance for him and all his fort. Deponent faith, her faid hufband was immediately Condu6ted to Vinegar-hill, and, as ihc verily believes, vi^as put to death there that evening, as a woman of ;he name of Walkin, related to the faid George Piper, declared, and has I!nce proved, on a court-martial held at Ennifcorthy, in the aforelaid county, that flie faw the .body of the faid George Piper after he was killed, on the evening of fame day^ on Virfcgar-hiil aforefaid.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 154

As the companion tells it

Ahead of you now is Vinegar Hill, the ground the road is passing through, and in 1798 this was where Anne Piper's husband George Piper was sent to die. She swore the testimony herself. George Piper had been arrested, and a man named Goff swore he and every person of his profession that came in his way should be put to death. George produced a pass from William Lacy, a rebel leader and commissary to the rebels on Vinegar Hill, to secure his person. Goff declared the pass a forgery. Anne ran with all speed to Father Edward Redmond and begged him to save her husband's life. Redmond said he could not and would not do anything for her or her husband, though her father and Redmond had always lived on terms of intimate friendship. She returned to Milltown-bridge and told the rebels, falsely, that the priest desired her husband be conducted to him. George was led there by a party of rebels. The priest became angry and enraged at the sight of them, declared he would do nothing for her or any of her husband's sort, and ordered George to Vinegar Hill to suffer, where he would get his deserts. Anne went on her knees, with tears in her eyes, and solicited him by the early friendship of their fathers and their close intimacy as neighbours. The priest remained deaf to her. A rebel tried to put George to death with a pike, but the priest seized that rebel in his arms and ordered George taken to Vinegar Hill. He was conducted there that evening. A woman named Walkin, related to George Piper, declared she saw his body after he was killed on Vinegar Hill that same evening, and later proved it at a court-martial held at Enniscorthy.

Protestants imprisoned in Colonel King's house at Ballina

Ballina · townland · Mayo · 1798

Rebels under Father Cowley's direction seized many members of the established church and committed them to the house of the honourable Colonel King at Ballina, where Cowley daily vilified and threatened them with death.

Read the passage

True, though favage and ferocious, refufed to accede to his propofal, from motives of policy ; but Cowley having reprefented, that they v/ere conitantly conveying fecret intelligence to the king's troops, obtained permiffion to arrell: and imprifon them. He, therefore, in imitation of the Wexford rebels, fent out gangs of banditti, to fearch the country for proteftants, and they fulfilled the moll fang nine wiflies of their favage employer ; as they feized a great many perfons of the eftablifhed church, and committed them to the houfe of the honourable colonel King at Ballina, where father Cowley daily vilified and infulted them as hereticks, and denounced death againfl them in various terrifick forms.
At one time, he was heard to declare that he would burn them alive in a kiln ; another time with tar barrels ; and when he defpaired of procuring them, he faid, that his purpofe could be effeded by tying flax round their bodies, and by fetting fire to it. Death was prefented to their imaginations another time by •the ruthlefs pikemen, of whom fome thoufands daiiyi palTed by the windows of the houfe where they were confined. This villain had the temerity to inform the rebels (who were panting for the blood of the proteftants) that he had procured them permiiTion to afPaffinate them ; and his diabolical defign would .probably have been carried into execution that night, but for the interference of Mr. Barrett, fon of doctor Barrett, of whom I fhall fpeak in the fequel ; and his difcovery and communication of it to True was near proving fatal to him ; for the pikemen, indignant at their difappointment, in not being allowed to riot in the blood of their heretical enemies, attempted to wreak their vengeance on Barrett's head, from which the fpirit and activity of his horfe alone preferved him^ when furrounded by a wood of pikes.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ballina, in 1798, rebels under Father Cowley seized a great many members of the established church and imprisoned them in the house of the Honourable Colonel King. Cowley had argued that the Protestants were constantly conveying secret intelligence to the king's troops, and so he obtained permission to arrest them. He sent out gangs to search the country, and they brought their captives here, to Colonel King's house, where Cowley daily vilified and insulted them as heretics and denounced death against them in various terrifying forms. At one time he declared he would burn them alive in a kiln. Another time he spoke of tar barrels. When he despaired of procuring those, he said his purpose could be effected by tying flax round their bodies and setting fire to it. Death was presented to their imaginations another way, by the ruthless pikemen, of whom some thousands daily passed by the windows of the house where they were confined. Cowley had the temerity to inform the rebels, who were panting for the blood of the Protestants, that he had procured them permission to assassinate the prisoners. His design would probably have been carried into execution that night, but for the interference of Mr. Barrett, son of Doctor Barrett. Barrett's discovery and communication of it to True was near proving fatal to him, for the pikemen, indignant at their disappointment, attempted to wreak their vengeance on Barrett's head. The spirit and activity of his horse alone preserved him when he was surrounded by a wood of pikes.

Protestants shot near Dranay during the rising

Dranagh · townland · Wexford · 1798

During Whealey's concealment at Dranay, a number of fleeing protestants were shot or killed with pikes by rebels near his house, including Michael Shea, Anthony Thackberry, Samuel Judd, Benjamin Judd, Clement Goff, James Shaw and Henry Lancaster.

Read the passage

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

Rebellion begins in Boulavogue, protestants disarmed

near Boleyvogue · population centre · Wexford · 1798

Father John Murphy's journal records the rebellion beginning at Boulavogue, where all protestants of the parish were disarmed. Thomas Bookey, described as a bigot, lost his life during this action.

Read the passage

BEGAN the republick of Ireland in Boulavogue, in the county of Wexford, barony of Gorey and parilh of Kilcorxiiick, commanded by the reverend doctor INIurphy, parifh prieft of the faid parifh, in the aforefaid parifli*, when all rhe proteftants of that pariih were difarmed, and amongft the aforefaid, a bigot, named Thomas Bookey, who loft his life by his ralhnefs.
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.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 143

Rebel shot near Coolgreney carrying superstitious charm

Coolgreany · town · Wexford · 1798

A rebel was shot near Coolgreney by Captain Hugh Moore of the 5th dragoon-guards; a superstitious paper referencing the wounds of Christ was found in his pocket, believed to protect the wearer from harm.

Read the passage

The following paper was found in the pocket of a rebel, who was Ihot near Coolgreney, by captain Hugh Moore, of the 5th dragoon-guards : " Jefus IHS Maria " I truft J Thee.
" This is meafured of the wounds of the fide of our Lord Jefus Chriil:, which was brought from Conftantinople unto the emperor Charles, within a gold cheft, as a relief mofl precious to that effed, that no evil or any thing might take him which reads it, hears it, wears it, cannot be hurted by any tempeft, fire, water, knife, fword, lance or bullet. Neither the devil fhall hurt him; he fhali be victorious, and never die an unnatural death, and fliall be a fure fafety to women with child."

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 37

Rebel six-pounder brought from Templepatrick meeting-house

Templepatrick · townland · Antrim · 1798

The rebels' six-pounder cannon had been brought from Templepatrick, where it and another brass six-pounder had been concealed under the seats of the dissenting meeting-house, mounted on a trail cut from a tree and the wheels of Mr M'Vickar's carriage.

Read the passage

• They brciip:ht this gim from Temple-patrick, where they had it, and another brafs fix-pounder, coiice?Jed under one of the feats orthe diiTentiiig meeting-houfe. 'ihey cuta tree, of which they made a trail, and they mounted the gun on the wheels of Mr. M'Vickar's carriage, lord Templeton's agent, and had wedges to elevate and deprefs it. It was formerly attached to the Belfafl: volunteers, but lay concealed for (ix years. They had originally eight, which alfo lay concealed, but fix of them were difcovered by general Nugent about a Aveck before.
9? MEMOIRS OF THE DIFFERENT

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 62

Samuel Orange's escape at Feathard

Fethard · town · Wexford · 1798

Samuel Orange was taken by his own neighbours and locked in a house, but while they hunted for others he escaped through a back window and hid in ditches until he was eventually caught and taken to Wexford.

Read the passage

Samuel Oran^re, now livin"-, is a memorable inllancc of this. He was taken by his own neighbours, P:a<t|rick Ileunefy and James Savage, alias Bryan, and w^as locked up in the houfe of the former *, but while they were hunting for others, he providentially made his efcape through a back window, and concealed himfelf in ditches till Sunday, the fifth of June, when Golfer returned with another gang, and conveyed hin;i to Wexford, Scullabogue having been confumed. Michael Devereux having vifited Feathard again, on the third of June, with another gang, feized Mrs. DufReld, aged feventy-five, Mrs. Clarke, and Philip Clarke, a boy of about thirteen years. John Jones, a humane and fefpe(£l:able Roman catholick, fclicited the releafe of the prifoners and, even on his knees, he implored him to difcharge the latter, as he v/as the child of his near neighbour ; but to no purpofe, as he faid he could not releafe him, confiftent with his own htfety. This lliewed that he aded by the orders of his fuperiors, who, I have been well informed, were fupplied with lifts of the proteftant inhabitants of every parifli.
The three were conveyed on a car to Scullabogue, "but, fortunately for them, Bagenal Harvey, who happened to arrive there, difcharged them, gave them a pafsto return, and defired that no more women or children fhould be taken prifoners. On Saturday, the ninth of Jime, one Thomas M^Daniel, a fanguinary ruffian, v/ent to Feathard, at the head of another gang, in queft of Elizabeth Ennis, a proteftant, who had efcaped all their former fearches •, and, when difcovered, fhe threw herfelf on the mercy of John Jones, already mentioned, who very humanely locked her up in a room in his own houfe. When M<Daniel was on the point of breaking open the door, Mrs. Jones placed herlelf between him and it, and faid they m.ufl firft murder her. She alfo allured him, that (he was no longer a proteftant, having been chriftened by the prieft, and was become a Roman catholick. The poor trembling wretch's life was faved by Mrs. Jones's firmnefs, and her aflurances of her converfion.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 162

Semple threatened with death as a 'vagabond orangeman' at Borris

Borris · town · Carlow · 1798

John Semple was stripped, threatened with pikes and a musket, and told he must instantly die as a vagabond orangeman during the attack on Borris, escaping by hiding in a sand-pit while the mob plundered his house.

Read the passage

piftols, and pikes ; that the faid mob attJickcJ and forcibly entered the houfe of examinant, at Borris aforefaid, anci felonioufly took thereout all the houfehold furniture, and many books, papers, and bonds of very great value. Exaftiinant faith, that as foon as the faid mob had fo plundered his houfe, they fet fire to the fame. Examinant faith, that, at that time he w^as at fome diftance from the town of Borris aforefaid •, and that on feeing a fmoke iffuing out of faid houfe, he, this examinant, ran towards faid houfe, with a defign of refcuing his books, papers, and bonds, from the flames. Examinant faithj^ he was made a prifoner by tb j faid mob, who flripped him of all his clothes before lie arrived at his houfe ; and that they prefented five pikes and a mulket at examinant, with ?n intention, as he verily believes, of putting him to death. Examinant faith, he immediately threw himfelf on his knees to implore nisrcy, and afked the faid mob what crimes h^ this exaniinan; was guilty of ? On which two of the leaders or captains of the faid mob cried out aloud, " That he, this examinant, was a vagabond orangeman, and mufl inllantly die by wliich examinant is convinced in his mind the faid captains meant a proteftant, as this examinant, who was born in Scotland, was not an orangeman, nor Md any connection with orangem.en. Examinant faith, that two others of the faid captains then faid, that examinant was too old \nd not worth killing on which another of f^•: laid captains eric! out aloud, addrclTmg him.felf to the {lid mob, " Ycu. vagabonds ! remember your oath with a dqfign to urge the faid mob to put this examinant to death ; as tliis exa-n'inant has fcen the form of an oath, which he heard and verily believes the United Iriihmen, or fome of them, had fv/orn to deftroy and murder all hercticks. Examinant faith, that while the faid mob were fcrambling iot his property which they had taken out of his houfe, he, th\: ^.xammant, made his efcape into a fand-pit, and that foon after, one of the faid mob came up in great haftt^, and exclaimed, " Have you difpatched the vagabond ? for his fon has killed one of our beft captains, and is killing them as faft as they get up meaning to the houfe of Walter Kavenagh, efquire, of Borris aforefaid, to which the laid mob were at that time laying fiege, and at wliich they were firing cannon ; and this examinant faith, that James Semple the fon of this examinant, was at that time in the manfion-houfe of the faid Walter Kavcnagii, alhfting in i:he defence of the fame. Examinant faith, tJiat the faid mob

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 156

Sermon of victory preached at Bannow

Bannow · townland · Wexford · 1798

Deponent attended mass at Bannow celebrated by parish priest Edward Murphy, who preached afterward that the protestants' bullets flew about the rebels without hurting them and that God had determined the heretics who had reigned over a hundred years should be extirpated.

Read the passage

eJ, whllil in cuftody, that John Colclough and Thomas Macord, both of Tinrcrn in. iaid county, were very active in promoting the rebellion ; that he fav^*- John Devereux, juniory of Sliilbeggari, in laid county^^ at Scullabogue, on Monday the fourth infiantj and that he feenied, and believes that he had a principal command in the rebel airny. He iikev.'ife faw Charles Reilly, of Rarner's-grange in faid county, at the camp at Carrickbyrne amongfl the rebels, ^ery bufy and active to promote their caule. Deponent farther faith, that he attended mafs celebrated by Edward Mlirphy aforefaid, parifh priefl: of Bannow ; and that after mafs he heard him preach a fermcn, in which he faid Bre- *' thren, you fee you're victorious everywhere — that the balls of the hereticks fly about you Vvithout hurting you — that few of you have fallen, whilll tlioufands of the hereticks are dead, and that the few of you . that have fallen Avas ' ' from deviating from our caufe, and want of faith — that ^« this vifibly is the work of God, who now is determined that the hereticks, who have reigned upwards af an hundred years, fnould be extirpated, and the true cathoiick religion be eftablilhed." — And deponent faith, this fermon was preached after the battle of Rofs, and that he heard feveral fermons preached by the priefls to the fame effect ; that he likewiie heard many rebels who had been at the battle of Ennifcorthy and clfewherc, declare, that father Roche, a rebel general, did conftantly catch the bullets that came from his majeftv's arms, and gave them to his men to load their pieces with. Deponent further faith, that every proteftant that was admitted into the rebel corps, was firft baptized by a piieil ', and that every proteftant that refufed to be baptized was put to death : and that many, to fave their lives, did fuffcr themfclves to be baptized. Sworn before r/J, 27,(1 Jime^ I79^j

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 162

Skirmish and battle near Foulkesmill and Goff's Bridge

near Foulkesmill · population centre · Wexford · 1798

General Moore's forces engaged a large body of rebels near Foulkesmill, with fighting extending to a cross road above Goff's Bridge; the rebels, armed with muskets and pikes, were repulsed after sharp fighting and fled towards Enniscorthy and Wexford.

Read the passage

AGREEABLE to your order, I took poft on the evening of the nineteenth, near Foulkes's-mill, in the park of Mr. Sutton. Next day I fent a ftrong detachment under heutenant-colonei Wilkinfon* to patrol towards Tintern and Clonmines, with a view to fcour the country, and communicate with the troops you direfted to join me from Duncannon. The lieutenant-colonel found the country deferted, and got no tidings of the troops. I waited for them until three o'clock in the afternoon, when, defpairing of their arrival, I began my march to Taghmooi, We had not marched above half a mile, when a confiderable body of the rebels was perceived marching towards us. I fcnt my advanced guard, confifting of the two rifle companies of the 6oth, to fkirmifli with them, whilft a howitzer, and ^ fix-pounder, v/ere advanced to a crofs road above GofF'sbridge, and fome companies of light infantry formed on each fidt- of them under Jicutenant-colonel Wiikinfonj
The

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 176

Sterne shelters at George Ogle's house near Killuran

Killuran · townland · Clare · 1798

After being wounded, Sterne crept about two miles to the house of George Ogle, esquire, where the steward gave him nourishment but warned he must leave as an orangeman lest the house be burned; he then hid in an adjoining wood for two days, sustained by the steward.

Read the passage

him to fave his foul, left he fliould afterwards relapfe and become a heretick that the faid rebels then condu«Sed him to the crofs roads near the church of Killuran in faid county, where the faid rebels again urged this informant to change his religion, having threatened to put him to death with their pikes, unlefs he would do fo •, but informant replied, he would not, that he would die any death, and that inftant, fooner than change his religion. Informant faith, that a rebel ferjeant thereon gave this informant a violent blow of a fpade handle in the head, which fpade handle tvas fhod 01 pointed with iron ; and that when the faid ferjeant was on the point of giving him the faid blow, he called cut to the other rebels to pike him ; that he was knocked down and made fenfelefs and fpeechlefs by the blow fo inliicled by the faid ferjeant ; and that when he lay quite infenfible on the ground, the other rebels gave him many llabs of their pikes in the body ; and that one of the faid pike v/ounds paffed through the body of this informant from one fide to the other. Informant faith, that the faid ferjeant gave him, this informant, a defperate wound in the head, from whence there ifiued a great quantity of blood , that he lay fpeechlefs and fenfelefs on the road where he was wounded for about an hour, when, having recovered his fenfes, he crept to the houfe of George Ogle, efquire, about two miles diftant, where he received fome nourifliment from the {leward of the faid George Ogle ; and that the faid fteward told informant he muft depart, for that as he was an orangeman, (meaning a proteftant) that his mafter's houfe would be burned ; and that he, this informant, -^ould be killed by the rebels if he kept him in it *, that he thereon repaired to an adjoining vv'ood, where this informant remained two days and two nights, during which time he received fome nourifhment from the fame fteward. Informant faith, he was at lafl difcovered in faid wood by a rebel woman, vy^ho was conftantly plundering the houfe of faid George Ogle, and who informed the rebels who were ftationed therein, that the faid wood was full of orangemenj but that faid fteward informed the faid rebels, that this informant was not an orangeman, and had nothing to do with •them and that he was a poor old man that was wounded, and that he would bring this informant to them, theTaid rebels j that the faid fteward, and the faid rebels, repaired to the place wheire informant lay concealed in faid wood ; and

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 149

Strategic importance of the Portaferry action

near Strangford · population centre · Down · 1798

Had the rebels taken Portaferry they intended to cross the lake at Strangford and join numerous rebels in the barony of Lecale, which could have led to the fall of Downpatrick.

Read the passage

1 he event of this adion was of the utmoft confequence, for had the rebels fucceeded in it, they were to have crolTed the lake at Strangford ; and the rebels in the barony of Lecale, who were numerous, were to have joined them. * Downpatrick muft have fallen, and an immenfe force, thus prevented, would have encreafed the army of Bally nahinc>.
The boldnefs and courage which the in-furgents in the North difplayed during the very fhort period that the rebellion exifled, prove how dangerous and formidable it would have been, but that government very wifely and feafonably averted the horrors of it, partly by conciliatory meafures, and partly by coercion ; and the dreadful and cold-blooded malTacres of proteftants perpetrated in the South, having convinced the northern rebels of the, cruelty and treachery of their Roman catholick confederates, and that their own deftrudion would be involved in that of the conftitution, detached them from the union, , and completely extinguiflied the flame of rebellion in the North*

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 71

The Green Flag Raised at Killala Castle

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

The French hoisted a green flag inscribed 'Erin go bragh' in front of the castle at Killala and invited the local population to join their cause with promises of freedom.

Read the passage

f?kl not exceed one thoiifand and fixty rank and fdc, and fcventy officers, flrongly indicated the fevere hardfiiips which they muft have undergone. - . They hoided a green flag in front of the cadle, with the Irilh words, " Erin go bragh !" infcribed on it, which fignifies in EngHfli, " Ireland for ever !" and they invited the people to join them, having afiured them, that they would enjoy freedom and happinefs by doing fo*
1 he firft day they paffed in landing their arms and annnunition ; the fecond in clothing and arming the natives, of whom great multitudes flocked to their ftandard, and in granting commiflions to Irifii officers.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 79

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Killala in Mayo, this is where the French raised a green flag in front of the castle in 1798. The flag bore the words "Erin go bragh," meaning "Ireland for ever." They invited the local people to join them, promising freedom and happiness to those who did.

Three Rock Hill camp near Wexford, thousands assembled

near Three Rock Mountain · mountain or mountain range · Dublin · 1798

Fleming was again captured at Kilburn mountain and compelled to go to the Three-rock camp near Wexford, where many thousands of rebels were assembled under generals Bagenal Harvey and Father Roche, preparing to march to fight the king's troops at Foulkes's mill.

Read the passage

county, where the rebel officers fixed their head-quarters, at the'houfe of one Murphy •, that when he was returning thence, after the battle of Rofs, he, this informant, was taken piifoner by a body of rebels, at the bridge of Ballynabola, in faid county. Informant faith, that one of the faid rebels told him, that he had juft put an end to an orange rafcal, of the name of Byron •, and informant faith, he faw, lying in a ditch at Ballynabola aforefaid, John f Byron, a proteilant inhabitant of the parifh of Taghimon aforefaid, with whom informant was well acquainted ; and that faid Byron was grievoully wounded, and covered with blood, and on the point of expiring. Informant faith, that faid rebels called informant an orange rafcal, and threatened to ferve him as they did Byron ; and informant faith, he is convinced in his mind, that the faid rebels would have put him to death, but that he produced a pafs which he had obtained from Brien Murphy, a priell of Taghmon> and that faid pafs faved the life of informant. That faid rebels had a cuftom of warning the inhabitants of each townland to attend their army, under pain of death, in cafe of difobedience *, and that informant was compelled by fuch warning, to attend a rebel camp at Slievekelta,* lometime in the beginning of June, where the faid rebels were on the point of trying him for being an orangeman ; but that informant was relieved by the kind interference of Mr. John Devereux, of Taghmon. Informant faith, that father Roche, a prieft, who was commander in chief of faid camp, preached a fermon, or exhortation, to the rebels therein, of the following tenor : "That they were fighting for their religion, their liberty, and the rights of their anceftors, and that they muft perfcvere. That they fhould examine their ranks, and if they found any orangemen, or difafFecled men among them, to extirpate them, as they could not profper or thrive while they had fuch among them."f Informant faith, he was again taken prifoner by a body of the faid rebels, at Kilburn mountain aforefaid, on the nineteenth of June, and compelled to repair to the Three-rock camp, near Wexford, where many thovifandr. of the rebels were aflembled and arrayed for the purpofe of jri;arching next day to fight the^ king's troops, at Foulkes's

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 163

United Irishmen plot to seize cannon from Vulture privateer at Dungarvan

Dungarvan · townland · Waterford · 1797

Around November 1797, seven or eight hundred United Irishmen assembled near Cushcam with the treasonable design of taking cannon from the Vulture privateer lying at Dungarvan, intending to level the marquis of Waterford's house at Curraghmore and murder several gentlemen.

Read the passage

IT appears, that forae time in the month of November, 1797, one Thomas Chriftopher of Abbey-fide, in faid county, aflembled with feven or eight hundred United Iriflimen in a field near Cufhcam, with a treafonable defign of taking fome cannon out of the Vulture privateer, then lying at Dungarvan, in order to level a number of gentlemen's houfes, particularly that of the marquis of Waterford at Curraghmore, and murdering a number of gentlemen, particularly colonel Uniacke, and captain Cole ; and that faid Thomas Chriftopher went to informant three different days, and required, him' to give his confent to put this defign into execution.
, The fame informant fwore before the faid magiftrate, the twenty-fourth of March, 1798, that the United Irifhmen in and about Dungarvan, aflembled at different times in great numbers, in the autumn of 1 797, and took arms from diiFerent people, and committed various outrages ; and fwore numbers of people to' be true to their caufe.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

Whelan boasts of shooting his officer and threatens lord Kingsborough at Wexford

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

Whelan, father Murphy's aide-de-camp, boasted at lord Kingsborough's Wexford lodgings that he had just shot his officer outside the town (Ensign Harman) and threatened to shoot Kingsborough, who drew his own pistol in response.

Read the passage

Whelan, Murphy^s aid-de-camp, v/ho was prefent, had a large whifkey bottle in his pocket, and a piftol in his hand ; and he boafted that he had juft fhot his officer outfide the town, alluding to the murder of enfign Harman. He alfo faid, he w^ould fhoot lord Kingfborough ; on which his lordfhip cocked his piftol, prefented it at his breaft, and declared he would fhoot him, if he moved his hand, which prevented the perpetration of his fanguinary defign.
Mrs. Richards, her fifter, and fome officers wives, had fought an afylum in his lordfhip's lodgings at this critical and alarming moment 5 and fearing that

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 21

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Wexford, this is the town where, in 1798, a rebel named Whelan, Father Murphy's aide-de-camp, walked into Lord Kingsborough's lodgings with a whiskey bottle in his pocket and a pistol in his hand. He boasted that he had just shot his officer outside the town, meaning Ensign Harman, and then declared he would shoot Lord Kingsborough too. Kingsborough cocked his own pistol, pointed it at Whelan's breast, and said he would fire if Whelan moved his hand. That stopped him. Officers' wives had taken shelter in those same lodgings at that alarming moment.

Yeomen cavalry charge into Wexford to save townsfolk

Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

A small group of Wexford yeoman cavalry, led by Captain James Boyd, made a desperate ride into the town to save their families and property, shouting that the army was at their heels. Their bold announcement caused the rebels to flee in panic in all directions.

Read the passage

tantswho remained in the town ; they were all members of the corps but one. Captain James Boyd, member of parliament, lieutenant Perceval, high fherifF for the county, corporal John Stetham, corporal William Hughes, A. H. Jacob, of the Ennifcorrhy corps, and the following privates, John Tench, Joieph Sutton^ Archer Bayly, Marcus Doyle, Abraham Howlili, John Byrne, and William Td'Cabe, Mr. Boyd's fervant. Chriflopher Irwine, permanent ferjeant of the troop, followed them rapidly on foot, his horfe having been fiiot. They dallied into the town with a degree of valour bordering on defpair, and announced v/ith a loud voice, that the army was -at their heels. This gave the rebels fuch an eledrick fnockj that, panick ftruck, they fled in all directions, fome over the bridge, others to the barony of Forth. Their confternation was fo great^ that yen- few of them attempted in their flight to injure the inhabitants of the tovv^n. One;rebel £red at nieiijeurs Jacob and Rudd, but the latter foon difpatched him. A rebel fired at lord Kingiborough in the ftreet, for which another perfon, a loyalift, inftantly (hot him.
During this fcene of confufion which their flight occafioned, the bloody Thomas Dixon, mounted on a very fine horfe which he had taken from Mr. Cadwallader Edwards, rode through th^ flreets, witb a broad fword drawn, and upbraided the rebels for their timidity and their dilatorinefs ; and faid, " If you had followed my advice in putting all the hereticks to death three or four days ago, it would not have come to this pafs." Mrs. Dixon, v/ho accompanied him on horfeback, with a fword and a cafe of piflols, clapped the rebels on the back and encouraged them, by faying, " We mail conquer : I know we mufl conquer and flie exclaimed repeatedly.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 23

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Wexford town now, and back in 1798 this was the scene of a desperate ride. Captain James Boyd, a member of parliament, led a small band of yeoman cavalry into the town to save their families and property. With him were Lieutenant Perceval, the high sheriff for the county, corporals John Stetham and William Hughes, A. H. Jacob of the Enniscorthy corps, and a dozen privates and servants. Christopher Irvine, the permanent sergeant of the troop, followed on foot, his horse having been shot. They dashed into the town with what the record calls a degree of valour bordering on despair, shouting that the army was at their heels. The rebels panicked and fled in all directions, some over the bridge, others toward the barony of Forth. So great was their consternation that few attempted to harm the townspeople. One rebel fired at Jacob and a man named Rudd, but Rudd dispatched him. Another fired at Lord Kingsborough in the street and was shot dead by a loyalist. Amid the confusion, Thomas Dixon rode through the streets on a fine horse taken from Cadwallader Edwards, broad sword drawn, upbraiding the rebels for their slowness, saying if they had followed his advice in putting all the heretics to death three or four days earlier, it would not have come to this. Mrs. Dixon rode alongside him with sword and pistols, clapping rebels on the back and crying, We shall conquer, I know we must conquer.

Kane family besieged and freed from burning house

Castlecomer · town · Kilkenny · 1798

The family of Mr. Kane, agent to Lady Ormond, were locked in their own house by rebels who set it on fire; they retreated to the cellar and were rescued by arriving troops before being consumed by flames.

Read the passage

The family of Mr. Kane, agent to lady Ormond, had been in a deplorable ftate. The fem.ales had been prifoners in their own hoiife, which the rebels locked up and fet on fire ; and they retired to the cellar to avoid the flames, but the troops arrived and liberated them before it was confumed. They had previoufly taken Mr. Kane prifoner, and carried him before father Murphy, who continued in the body of the church, trying, as orangemen, fuch proteliants as they had taken prifoners ; and two of whom they maffacred before Rr Charles arrived. He tried and would have had Ish, Kane put to death as an orangeman, but that fome poor women of the colliery, by their tears and entreaties (as he is a gentleman of great humanity) prevailed on the reverend general to let him efcape.
Sir Charles, having taken an elevated pofition, ported his guns fo as to rake the woods, in which he killed a good many of the rebels, who compofed the rear guard of the main body, at that time two miles out of the town, and fuppofed to be between fix and feven thoufand men.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 51

Attack on Portaferry repulsed

near Portaferry · town · Down · 1798

A rebel force of about one thousand attacked Portaferry, headed by local men including a shopkeeper named McMullin, but was repulsed by Captain Charles Mathews and the Portaferry yeomanry defending the market-house, aided by a revenue cruiser's guns.

Read the passage

On the night of the ninth, and the morning of the tenth, the infurredion from Newtownards to Portaferry was general ; and a body of rebels, to the number of one thoufand, attacked the latter about lour o^clock in the afternoon. They were faid to be chiefly under the dire6i:ion of one Warwick, a prefbyterian probationer, fmce hanged ; and they were headed by one Mc. Mullin, of Portaferry, a fhopkeeper, and two farmers in its vicinity. The town was gallantly defended by that brave veteran, captain Charles Mathews, and the Portaferry yeomanry, who took pofl in the market-houfe, and converted it into a garrifon.
Capcain Mathev/s having received intelligence in the morning that the town was to be attacked, had the arches of the building fdled up with a dry temporary wall, to prevent the rebels from fetting fire to the loft, which their leaders had refolved to do. Captain Hopkins, being in the river, with the revenue cruifer which he commanded, rendered the mofl important fervice on the occafion with his guns. The

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 70

Ballina magistrates post advertisement to counter massacre rumours

Ballina · townland · Mayo · 1798

Fearing a false rumour of an Orange plot to burn houses with unquenchable black candles, magistrates posted an advertisement at Ballina to reassure the population, but it was believed to be a trick to lull them into false security.

Read the passage

The magiftrates, finding that this report v/as uni» yerfally credited by the lower clafs of people, pofted up an advertifement at Ballina to undeceive them, and convince them of the futility and abfurdity of this report ; but they were taught to believe that this notice was only an artifice to lull them into fecurity, that they might more eafily beconie ^ prey to their perfecutors.
As foon as the French landed, one Grohan, who ferved as clerk to a popiili chapel, was feized in the aQ: of proclaiming in the pariih of Kilmeckfhalgan, in the county of Sligo, that the orangemen were murdering the Roman cathoUcks.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 75

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here in 1798, magistrates posted an advertisement to calm a rumour that was widely believed among the common people, that Orangemen would burn their houses with unquenchable black candles. The magistrates tried to show the report was foolish and false. But the people took the notice itself for a trick, meant only to lull them into false security so they could be more easily destroyed.

B.B. Harvey held prisoner at the Three Rock camp

near Three Rock Mountain · mountain or mountain range · Dublin · 1798

Harvey testified at his trial that after opposing Father Roche's sanguinary plans and being deposed from command, he was taken as a prisoner to the Three Rock camp, where he was allowed to walk about but was too closely watched to escape until the rebels' final flight.

Read the passage

niand was given to that infamous villain father Roche : That he was then carried to the Three-rock camp as a priloner, where he remained a few days, and was fo far at liberty as to be allowed to walk about ; but fo clofely watched, that, with every wifli to make his efcape, he found it impoffible, till the evening the rebels fled in every direction on the approach of the king's troops."
He died in a very decent manner, having been attended by a proteftant clergyman, and prayed moil fervently. A fliort time before his trial, a particular friend of his and mine, having afked him, how he came to confent to the bloody bufmefs of ScuUabogue; he, very much fliocked, replied, " That it was brought about by an infamous fanguinary popiili faction."

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 30

Clare regiment soldiers convicted of conspiring to seize Waterford cannon

Waterford · city · Waterford · 1798

Corporal Curry, Simon Ryan and Thomas Reilly of the Clare regiment were convicted by court martial in Waterford of conspiring to seize the city and its cannon to assist the rebels, and of plotting to murder all their officers except a Roman Catholic lieutenant.

Read the passage

By a court-martial held at Waterford the fixth of July, 1798, corporal Curry of the Clare regiment, Simon Ryan, and Thomas Reilly, privates of the fame, were convicted of being concerned in the confpiracy to feize the city and all the cannon in it, for the purpofe of affifting the rebels in taking it j and in having confpired to murder all their officers, except lieutenant Mc. Mahon, who was a Roman catholick. It was propofed there alfo by one Carey, to murder the union corps of that city. At the fame meering, corporal Woods, in the artillery of the Clare regiment faid, that he had eight or ten United Irifiimen in the artillery, v/ho would drav/ the guns up the hill, and fire on the towq ; That a committee was formed to carry that plan into execution. Garret Murphy confefled on his examination • • before fome maglurates, that John Forreftall, publican, at Xew Rofs, told him, that the rebel army would march through the county of Kilkenny to Waterford, if the king's troops were beaten at Rofs : That great numbers of people at Waterford and Rofs, fome of whom he mentioned, were voncerned as officers, or privates, and that he was a ferjeant, and ufed to collect 6dh. per month, from the men under his command, which he paid to mefiieurs Hunt, Foot, and I'arrell, who were captains, for the purpofe of fending mefiengers to Dublin. It was very fortunate that the rebels in the county Kilkenny miftook the day deftined for the attack upon Rofs.
By two court martials held at Waterford, one on the fourteenth of June, the other the twenty-third of July, 1798, it was proved that Walter Power, Richard Connolly, and James Hynes, went to the houfe of Mr.Valentine Lannagan, of Charleftown, with fome other rebels, and took his firearms and ammunition j and that the faid V. Lannagan heard the prifoners fay in converfation, on the feventh of June, that, if it were not for the cannon, they would have cut on the Rofcommon regiment, which marched the day before from Waterford to Rofs, as two thoufand LTnited Irifirmen had aflembled at Glanmore, on the fixth of June, for that purpofe.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

Conroy's House Raided and His Execution at Castlebar

Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

A party detached by General Trench surprised Conroy's armed videttes at his house, killing two and finding French arms, a proclamation, and correspondence with a rebel leader; Conroy was later hanged at Castlebar.

Read the passage

He was hanged at Caftlebar, without either confeffmg or denying his guilt ; and though he was fure of eternal falvation for having oppofed an heretical ftate in fupport of the true faith, he had fcarce fufficient ftrength to afcend the fatal ftep.
On the hrfh of September, Heutenant-colonel Charoft received orders from general Humbert, tq fend off all the French troops to Caftlebar, but that he ftiould remain at Kiilala, as commandant of it, with another French olHcer of the name of Ponfon.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 84

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Castlebar, this is where Conroy was hanged in 1798. General Trench had sent a party to raid his house, where they surprised his armed videttes, killed two, and found French arms, a proclamation, and correspondence with a rebel leader. Conroy was hanged here without either confessing or denying his guilt, and had "scarce sufficient strength to ascend the fatal step."

Defeat at Ballinamuck and flight of rebel colonels

near Ballinamuck · population centre · Longford · 1798

After the surrender at Ballinamuck, McDonnel and colonel Blake concealed themselves in a bog; Blake was captured but McDonnel escaped into the mountains of Connemara and from there to Spain or France.

Read the passage

He was attended by a large party of his followers^ who had been taught to look for this event by his addrelTes and harangues, and with thefe he accompanied Humbert on his march to Ballinamuck ; and after the furrender, he and colonel Blake concealed themfelves in a bog. Blake was taken prifoner, but he had the good fortune to efFedl his efcape, and made his way from thence into the wild mountains of Cunnemara, and from thence embarked for Spain or France, with fome other fugitives of his own dele ription.
Do<!^lor Barrett, a Roman catholick^ was a native of Jrrus, in the county of Mayo, and defcended from an ancient and refpeclable Irilh family, who formerly pofTeifed a large eftate in that country, and of which he was not a little vain. Having got a competent knowledge of Latin, which he fpoke tolerably corred; and fluent, though in a vulgar manner, he ferved a regular apprenticefhip to an apothecary, and carried on the bufinefs for fome years with much credit to himfelf and utility to the country. He alfo attended many of the genteel families in the neighbourhood of Ballina, (where he lived,) in the light of a phyfician, and was fo much efteemed by them, that they entered into a fubfcription to fupport him at Edinburgh, while he fliould ftudy phyfick there in a regular manner. His wife and children were alfo fupported in the fame manner at home, while he ftudied in Scotland, and that exclufivcly by the proteftant

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 112

Dr Caulfield refuses to help imprisoned Protestant in New Ross

New Ross · townland · Wexford · 1798

Dr Caulfield, long a parish priest at New Ross, was implored by Mrs Allen to free her husband from the Wexford prison-ship, but he refused, saying her husband must have deserved it.

Read the passage

Doctor Caulfield having refided many years at New Rofs, as parilh pried, there fubfifted a very warm friendfhip between him and Mr. Allen, a proteftant inhabitant of that town. The latter having been, with other proteftants, committed to the prifon-fliip at Wexford, Mrs. Allen, dreading that he would be maflacred, or ftarved, implored the dodlor to liberate her hufband, well-knowing the unbounded influence of the prieits over the popifh multitude ; but he indignantly fpurned at her requeft, and faid, her hufband would not have been there, if he had not deferved it. This happened at an early period, when the Wexford leaders imagined that the infurredion had been fimultaneous and general.
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 ?

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 182

False alarm rouses pikemen at Baronstown

Baronstown · townland · Westmeath · 1798

On 4 September a man on horseback spread rumours that Orangemen were murdering Catholics, causing armed crowds to assemble in Lord Sunderlin's park at Baronstown; his attempts at reasoning failed and his trumpeter was wounded.

Read the passage

On Tuefday the fourth of September, a man on horfeback went about the county of Weflmeath, proclaiming that the orangemen were murdering the Roman catholicks, and burning their houfes. In confequcnce of it, numbers of people, armed with pikes and other weapons, alTembled in lord Sunderlin's park at Baronftown. His lordfliip approached them with about twelve of his corps, and aflved them. Why they aflembled in fo hoftile a manner ? They anfwered, that they were afraid of the orangemen, who were armed, and were determined to murder all the Roman catholicks. * His lordfliip aflfured them, that their fears were groundlefs, as no fuch perfons ever were in the country ; and he promifed them protedion, if they could point them out ; but they perfiflied in feigning fears and prejudices.
About two miles further on the road towards MuUingar, his lordfliip met another body of pikemen, with whom he reafoned in the fame manner, but to no purpofe. At lafl;, one of them knocked down his lordfliip's trumpeter, and wounded him ; and foon after ferved a yeoman and one of his fer-

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 107

Father Cowley threatens protestant prisoners at Ballina

Ballina · townland · Mayo · 1799

A popish priest named Cowley entered the room where protestant prisoners were confined at Henry King's house in Ballina, calling them heretics with no more religion than pigs and threatening them with torturous death, and struck Robert Atkinson of Ballybeg.

Read the passage

to the prifoners who were confined there, and who were of the proteftant religion, « You are a parcel of hereticks ; you have no more religion than pigs ; you will be put to death with the greatelt torture ^before ten o'clock to-morrow;" and that the faid prieft at the fame time ftruck a Mr. Robert Atkinfon, of Ballybeg, asa heretick; and faid, at the fame time, that if he had Robert Atkinfon, of Ealky, he would Ikin him alive.
WILLIAM STINSONo

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 177

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, at Henry King's house in Ballina in 1799, a priest named Cowley came into the room where Protestant prisoners were held. He called them heretics with no more religion than pigs, and told them they would be put to death with the greatest torture before ten o'clock the next day. He struck a Mr. Robert Atkinson of Ballybeg, and said if he had Robert Atkinson of Easky he would skin him alive.

Father Thomas Munnelly's Raid on Bartra House

Bartra · site · Dublin · 1798

Father Munnelly of the Backs offered his services to the French at Killala and led an armed party to Bartra, robbing Mr Knox of his purse and taking him prisoner to the French quarters.

Read the passage

He was employed in carrying them recruits, in equipping them with arms and clothes, and in fearching for Orangemen, as the proteftants were indifcriminately called. Having heard that Mr. Knox of Bartra, brother to counfellor Francis Knox, a gentleman of good property, had ftill continued to defend his houfe, he voluntarily offered his fervice to vifit him, and to carry him a prifoner to the French. His offer having been accepted, he put himfelf at the head of a party of armed rebels, marched to Bartra, entered it by furprife, and with a piftol in his hand, forgetful of his allegiance, and of the facrednefs and refpedabihty of the facerdotal character, he defcended to the meannefs of a common robber, and obliged Mr. Knox to deliver his purfe, confifting of a few guineas, and then conveyed him, tied, as a prifoner, to the quarters of his new allies.
This villain defrauded the gallows of its due, for, gft<^r abfconding fome time, he furrendered himfelf

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 83

General Knox's advance from Moneymore

Moneymore · townland · Wicklow · 1798

General Knox's approach from Moneymore toward Toome, reinforced by newly armed Protestant volunteers, convinced the Antrim rebels not to leave their own country, though Clavering's intervention stopped a decisive engagement.

Read the passage

The malTacres of the South alarmed and animated many thoufand proteftants, who fuddenly volunteered, armed themfelves, and joined general Knox^ whofe approach from Moneymore towards Toome convinced the Antrim rebels, that they had no bufinefs to quit their ow^n country ; and he would have given them a complete overthrow, and have extinguifhed, for a century, a difpofition to rebellion in that county, but that colonel Clavering, who had made terms with them at Ballymena, went exprefs to ftop the general's approach. The tranquillity of the county of Armagh is chiefly to be imputed to the zeal and activity of the orangemen.
The amnefty granted to the rebels by colonel Clavering, though it was done with the beft inten-. tions, has been condemned by many northern gentlemen of very good fenfe, as it was faid to have fed the flame of rebellion in the county of Antrim for many months after it took place, as much as general Dundas's negotiation did in the county of Kildare.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 71

Hughes confesses rebellion plans before Cornwall at Myshall Lodge

Myshall · town · Carlow · 1798

A man named Hughes appeared before magistrate Mr Cornwall at Myshall Lodge on 21 July 1798 and confessed he had been a lieutenant under captain James Nowlan, detailing rebel plans to attack Borris, Leighlinbridge and Bagenalstown, targeting king's troops and Protestants generally.

Read the passage

On requiring arms of a widow of the popifli religion^ near Leighlin, they informed her that tliey were for her benefit, and that of the Catholick caufe. A man of the name of Hughes, appeared before Mr. Comv/all, of Myflialllodge, a magiftrate, on the twenty-firft of July, 1798, and confeiTed that he had been a lieutenant, under a captain James Nowlan *, and he ftated the whole progrefs of the rebellion from its commencement. He faid that the night previous to the attack on Borris, Leighlin-bridge, and Bagenalftown, he received orders from Nowlan, how he was to attack the enemy and on alking him whom he was to confider as luch, the captain replied, the king's troops and the proteflants in general. The popifh rabble, and numbers of Roman catholicks in comfortable, nay in opulent fituations, took oaths or allegiance before magiilratcs, who gave them certificates of their having done fo ; and an abundance of fuch certificates were found in their pockets when they were made prifoners at the battle of Kilcomney, and elfe-
Many prcteflants were murdered, many of their houfes Vv'cre burnt, and much of their property was deftroyed, in that part of the county of Carlpv/ bordering upon the counties of Wicklov/ and Wexford. I have not obtained a minute acQOunt of them, but I fhall refer the readers to the affidavit of Jervis Pue, at the end of this, for a fpecimcn of them, and the ferocious fpirit by which the rebels were actuated.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 135

Lord Altamont's property plundered despite his Catholic sympathies

Westport · town · Mayo · 1798

Despite Lord Altamont's strong support for Catholics, rebels plundered his property, carrying off horses, cows and sheep, drinking his liquor, and breaking doors and windows, until James Joseph McDonnell occupied the house as his own.

Read the passage

Though lord Altamont and his family had evinced a very itrong partiality for the Roman cathohcks, and had on all occafions given to government the warrnefl affurances of their loyalty, their property was not fpared. They carried off his lordfliip's horfes.^ cows, and iheep, drank all the liquor in his cellars^^ brolie fome of the doors and windovv^s in his houfe, which they would have demolifned, but that James Jofeph Mc. Donnell, accompanied by a French officer,
took

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 95

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Westport in Mayo. In 1798, Lord Altamont and his family had shown strong partiality for Roman Catholics and given government warm assurances of their loyalty, yet their property was not spared. Rebels carried off his horses, cows and sheep, drank all the liquor in his cellars, and broke some of the doors and windows. They would have demolished the house, but James Joseph McDonnell, accompanied by a French officer, took it over as his own.

Loyalists make stand at bridge houses in Castlecomer

Castlecomer · town · Kilkenny · 1798

A small number of Waterford and Downshire militia held the bridge at Castlecomer, then took refuge in four houses flanking it, keeping up fire on the rebels for three and a half hours while the suburbs burned.

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

Macartney brothers' sally recovers guns at Antrim garden wall

near Antrim · town · Antrim · 1798

John and Arthur Macartney, young volunteers, made a sally from the garden at Antrim with twenty men of the Antrim corps, recovered the abandoned guns and ammunition cart under fire, and dislodged rebels from the town with round shot.

Read the passage

cartney, lieutenant of the Royal Irifli Artillery, who volunteered on the occafion, made a fally from the garden, with twenty of the Antrim corps, and drew up, in the midft of the rebel fire, the guns and the ammunition cart ; and having planted them on the garden wall, they diflodged the rebels by a few difcharges of round fhot ; however, they affembled again in feveral places round the town, to renew the attack ; but colonel Orr, frightened on hearing the cannon, marched his column, which was one thouland five hundred flrong, back to Randalftown.
Before the rebels had arranged matters for a fecond attack, the reinforcement from Blaris and Belfaft arrived, on which they fled in all diredions. But a great many of them were killed by the dragoons and the light companies of the Armagh and Monaghan militia, who v/ere detached acrofs the fields to cut off flragglers. Colonel Durham on arriving over the town, was informed that the rebels were in poflefTion of it ; and therefore opened his guns on it with round (hot, and was on the point of doing much mifchief before he found his miftake^ The rebels left about one hundred and fifty dead in the town, and nearly two hundred were killed in the purfuit, in which lieutenant Murphy of the dragoons was feverely wounded with a pike.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 63

Meagher recruits soldier and plots murder of Colonel Jackson at Leitrim quarry

Half Moon Street · street · Cork · 1798

Thomas Meagher, a publican of Half-moon-street, swore a militia informant to a United Irish oath and sought his help getting arms; Meagher noted there was a quarry at Leitrim very convenient for killing Colonel Jackson with easy escape by boat.

Read the passage

united men, and their party, and never to draw a trigger, " or a ramrod againft the United Irifhmen, oi;j^gainll the " French, if they fliould land here faid Member then wanted deponent to go with him to Cow-lane, where he w^ould meet fome friends, but deponent declined going there *, faid Meagher advifed deponent to get as many of the regiment fworn as he could, and that he would give him money, and alfo advifed him to get fire-arms and ammunition conveyed out of the barrack to him, the faid Meagher. Deponent further depofeth, that faid Meagher laid he would give him money to treat the officers fervants, and defired he would get acquainted with them, and appeared very anxious to know when colonel Jackfon, and the head officers would dine with general Stewart ; for that there was a quarry at Leitrim very convenient to kill colonel Jackfon, and that he could very eafily make his efcape in a boat without coming over the bridge. Meagher further told informant, that if he did not wifh to remain here, he would give him money and coloured clothes to go to Briftol in the packet.
The following very extraordinary circumftance occurred in the confpiracy at Cork : A fhort time before the intended infurreftion, an order was fent to all the inferior committees, as if from a committee of twelve prieits, to eject from them any proteftant members which they might have admitted. It is fuppofed that they were afraid of having the plot difcovered, after it had come to maturity, knowing that the proteftants were loyal, with but few exceptions* All the approvers have uniformly agreed, that this order was conveyed to all the inferior focieties, as if from the

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

As the companion tells it

Along this street in 1798, Thomas Meagher kept a public house on Half-moon-street. He was a United Irishman, and he swore a militia informant into the United Irish oath, telling him never to draw a trigger or a ramrod against the United Irishmen or the French if they should land. Meagher wanted the informant to go with him to Cow-lane to meet some friends, but the man declined. Meagher advised him to get as many of the regiment sworn as he could, and promised him money. He also wanted him to get fire-arms and ammunition conveyed out of the barrack. Meagher said he would give money to treat the officers' servants, and wanted the informant to get acquainted with them. He appeared very anxious to know when Colonel Jackson and the head officers would dine with General Stewart. Meagher said there was a quarry at Leitrim very convenient to kill Colonel Jackson, and that he could very easily make his escape in a boat without coming over the bridge. He further told the informant that if he did not wish to remain here, he would give him money and coloured clothes to go to Bristol in the packet. A short time before the intended insurrection, an order was sent to all the inferior committees, as if from a committee of twelve priests, to eject any protestant members they had admitted. It is supposed they were afraid of having the plot discovered after it had come to maturity, knowing the protestants were loyal, with but few exceptions.

Mr Burkett shelters fleeing Protestants near the sea shore

Ballyadams · townland · Kildare · 1798

Fleeing along the sea shore, the Williamses were given food and shelter by a Protestant yeoman farmer named Burkett, who had moved his furniture out for fear his house would be burned and who relied on a Catholic servant to protect his family.

Read the passage

^mnt replied, pointing at the fame time, <^ You had better go to that country, which is inhabited by Romans^ (meaning Roman cathohcks) as the men who refide there are gone to tlie proteftant country, to burn the proteitants* houfes, and he down there till night, and then you can make your efcape." Thefe informants fay, that whea they had gone about a mile and a half from their houfe, they faw many houfes in Ballyadams aforefaid in flames, and that the houfe of thefe informants was alfo in flames* Thefe informants fay, that foon after they were purfued by a body of rebels from Ballyadams aforefaid ; and they verily believe, that the faid rebels were fent in purfuit of thefe informants by their two fervants whom they left behind them •, but they eluded the purfuit of the faid rebels by altering their courfe at difl'erent times, and by creeping under the cover of hedges, till they arrived at the fea fhore that having afcended on a high bank near the fea, they faw a great number of protefl:ants' houfes on fire ; that they faw, at fome diftance on the fea fhore, sl woman, who they feared would betray them to tlie rebels ; but, on approaching her, they found her crying bitterly, and lamenting the (late of the country and, as fhe faid {he was fervant to Mr. Burkett, a gentleman farmer whofe houfe was contiguous, they afked her, whether flie thought her mafler would give them fome nourifliment, as they had fled from their own houfe, and narrowly efcaped with their lives from the rebels, who had plundered them of all their fubftance, and that they were aimofl: famifhed ? Thefe informants fay, thjy were well treated by faid Burkett, who gave them a plentiful meal ; and that the faid Burkett, who is of the proteftant religion, fearing that his houfe would be burned, had taken out a great part of his furniture, which, lay near the fhore, and that a new-born child lay crying in a cradle near the fea-fhore. That faid Burkett lamented hi* fituation to thefe informants, and exprefled his fears that the rebels would deftroy him and his family, as he was x yeoman in captain White's corps of cavalry and the faid Burkett implored thefe informants, on their arrival at Gorey, in faid county, to excufe his non-attendance there, as he could not abandon his family, who he feared would be murdered, and that all his fubftance would be deftroyed, i£ he left them unprotected. Thefe informants fay, they were informed by faid Burkett, that he w^as under the neceility of foliciting the protection of a mean popifli ferrant, who lived > Vol. II. B b with

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 146

Mrs Heydon threatened at postmaster Gill's ruined house

Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

After leaving Walsh's, Mrs Heydon took refuge at the plundered house of Henry Gill, postmaster of Enniscorthy, where armed rebels broke in and threatened to throw her downstairs and burn the house unless she went to mass.

Read the passage

examinant that it would be at the rifque of their lives td harbour a protellant, as an. order came from thexamp not to protedl any fuch ; that during examin^nt's refidence at faid houfe, and for feme time after, fhe had no other clothes to wear, but what flie had on her back, and no bed to ileep on for five weeks and five days. Examinant faith, that on leaving faid Walfh's, ftie repaired to the ruinous houk of Henry Oill, poftmafter of the faid town, which had been plundered and jnade a wreck of by the rebels. Examinant faith, that foon after fhe went to the faid Gill's houfe, a iTieifage was fent to her by faid Walfh, that her life was not jfafe unlefs .fhe went to mafs ; and in a few days after, about ;five o'clock in the morning, two rebels, armed with mufkets, broke into examinant's room, and called out to Mrs. Gill to .throw this examinant down flairs, and if fhe did not, they would, and her houfe fhould be burned; on which examinant afked them what charge they had againft her ? to which they replied, her obftinacy had been reported yefierday, and that fhe muft go to Wexford, meaning by the word obftinacy, as fhe yerily believes, was for not going to mafs ; that examinant, dreading fhe might be abufed by the rebels, afked the faid two rufiians to fhoot her ; on which they replied, they would have nothing to do with one of her fort, meaning, as fhe verily believes, a protellant j and then faid examinant might ftay there until further orders. Examinant faith, that Mrs. Gill told examinant, ^hat (he could not any longer protecl her with fafcty to herielf, and eleven children ; on which examinant went to fer veral houfes, whofe inhabitants refufcd to receive her, .liiough proteftants, from motives of fear, and the papifls from motives of hatred *, that thereupon one father Clinch, a priefl, brother to a tenant of examinant's, informed hex, . that fne need not leave faid houfe, where fhe remained ii^ great poverty and dillrcfs, until the king's troops arrived ^ after which time fome of the officers, from motives of compaflion, fuppiied thi-; examinant with provifions. This exafninant faith, that the iofs fhe fuftained by having her houfe plundered of houfehold furniture, and other valuable articles, amounts to between five and fix hundred pounds, exclufive of the money and notes her faid hufband was plundered of at Ennifcorthy aforefaid. This examinant faith, that her late hufoand, by his livings and his agency from 4i;2 right honourable lord Monck, including the glebe-

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 150

Prendergaft's death in the mountains near Ballina

Ballina · townland · Mayo · 1798

After the king's troops retook the country, Father Prendergaft fled to the mountains where he suffered from want and disease, and was found by soldiers dying of a loathsome disorder near Ballina before dying soon after.

Read the passage

A party of the king's troops, who went in fearch of a banditti which infefted the country, found this holy friar a moft miferable inftance of the uncertainty of human afiiiirs, lying in a wretched hut, almoll confumed by that moll dreadful and loathfome diforder called morbus pediculofus, * of which he died foon after; and fuch were the putrid effluvia w^hich iflued from his body, that it was both dangerous and oficnfive to approach it for the purpofe of interring it.
Father

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 87

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here in 1798, after the king's troops had retaken the country, Father Prendergaft fled into the mountains. Soldiers searching for banditti found the friar lying in a wretched hut, almost consumed by a dreadful and loathsome disorder called morbus pediculofus. He died soon after, and the putrid effluvia from his body made it both dangerous and offensive to approach for the purpose of interring it.

Priest of Kilfenora committed for aiding rebels

Kilfenora · town · Clare · 1798–1799

The parish priest of Kilfenora, named Carrick, was committed on the charge of entertaining and exhorting a rebel mob heading to plunder Mr. Smith's house at Smithstown, telling them the French would soon land to help them.

Read the passage

The parifh pricfb of Kilfenora, of the name of Carrick, wa^ comm.itted on the foUov/ing charge : That during the infurrefiion, a great number of thefe rebellious hypocrites were proceeding in a body to plunder the houfe of Mr. Smith of Smithftown of arms, and that they were entertained by Carrick, who exhorted them to unite, and be zealous in the caufe, as the French would foon land and give thent ample riliftance. The profecutor who charged Carrick was kept in rhe guard-houfe of Eiinisj where fome vagabonds pretending to make a riot, the guard rufhed into the ftrcet to queii it, on v/hich the informer made his efcape, according to a preconcerted fcheme.
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

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 136

Priest orders red tape for Catholic children in Coolkenno and Clonmore

Coolkenna · townland · Wicklow · 1798

John Hannigan, parish priest of Coolkenno and Clonmore, ordered red tape placed on necks of Catholic children to distinguish them from Protestants; he was known to have anticipated a massacre of Protestants.

Read the passage

A popifli fchoolmafter at Tullow infli6ted a fevere punilhment on a proteflant boy, for having worn it. A magiilrate received information that John Hannigan, parilh priefl of the parifhes of Coolkenno and Clonmore, ordered pieces of red tape to be put on the necks of popifli children, to diftinguifli them from proteflants ; and that he knew that a maffacre of the proteflants was to take place.
Some officers who, when on duty, traverfed many parts of the county of Wexford, alTured me, that they fav/, in various places, the fign of the crofs on the doors of fome dwelling-houfes ; and on others, the following words : " Protediion for this houfe.'* They were infcribed on the houfe of Mr. Devereux, of Carrigmannon, and even on the gates leading to it ; which, it is believed, was done becaufe he was a Roman catholick.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 37

Prisoners from Feathard released by Bagenal Harvey

Fethard · town · Wexford · 1798

Mrs. Duffield, Mrs. Clarke, and the boy Philip Clarke were seized at Feathard and conveyed toward Scullabogue, but were fortunately discharged by Bagenal Harvey who gave them a pass and ordered that no more women or children be taken prisoner.

Read the passage

The three were conveyed on a car to Scullabogue, "but, fortunately for them, Bagenal Harvey, who happened to arrive there, difcharged them, gave them a pafsto return, and defired that no more women or children fhould be taken prifoners. On Saturday, the ninth of Jime, one Thomas M^Daniel, a fanguinary ruffian, v/ent to Feathard, at the head of another gang, in queft of Elizabeth Ennis, a proteftant, who had efcaped all their former fearches •, and, when difcovered, fhe threw herfelf on the mercy of John Jones, already mentioned, who very humanely locked her up in a room in his own houfe. When M<Daniel was on the point of breaking open the door, Mrs. Jones placed herlelf between him and it, and faid they m.ufl firft murder her. She alfo allured him, that (he was no longer a proteftant, having been chriftened by the prieft, and was become a Roman catholick. The poor trembling wretch's life was faved by Mrs. Jones's firmnefs, and her aflurances of her converfion.
After

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 162

Protestant soldier tried by rebel court-martial at Ballina

Ballina · townland · Mayo · 1798

A private of the Tireragh infantry captured by rebels was brought to their headquarters at Ballina, where father Cowley presided over a court-martial that convicted him of being an Orangeman and sentenced him to hang, though he was later discharged.

Read the passage

A private in the Tireragh infantry happened to fall into the hands of the rebels, who conveved him to their head-quarters at Ballina, where father Cowley commanded. Being a protellant, they proceeded to try him by a court-martial, of which Cowley was prefident. He was accufed and convi(5i:ed of being an Orangeman, and was to have been hanged next morning ; but having infmuated to one of the French, that he was a yeoman, and that puni filing him would be followed by retaliation, he was difcharged.
Very great difaffc^dion took place in the popifh yeomen of the counties of Mayo and Sligo.

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 101

As the companion tells it

Close to Ballina, in 1798, rebels brought a private of the Tireragh infantry to their headquarters here, where Father Cowley presided over a court-martial. They accused and convicted him of being an Orangeman and sentenced him to hang the next morning. He managed to tell one of the French that he was actually a yeoman, and that punishing him would bring retaliation, so they let him go. After this, great disaffection spread among the Catholic yeomen of Mayo and Sligo.

Rebel conspiracy to murder Booth and target soldiers near Roundwood

Roundwood · town · Wicklow · 1799

Joseph Reilly and David Condron were tried by court martial for attempting to seduce soldiers of the Fermanagh regiment and for conspiring to murder William Booth, a protestant, and burn his house. Condron declared no one could live near Roundwood who was not a 'true brother' and that rebels planned to take Enniskerry.

Read the passage

It appeared on the trial of Jofepli Reilly and David Condron, by court martial, the twenty-eighth of March, 1799, that they attempted to feduce and attach to their caufe fome foldiers of the Fcrmanagli regiment ; and that they formed a confpiracy to murder William Booth, a proteftant, and his family, and to burn his houfe and offices. The foldiers pretended that they were Roman catholicks, to gain the confidence of the rebels. They defired the foldiers to go to maraud at Booth's houfe and that he would entertain them if they faid they were proteilants. Condron declared to one of the foldiers, that no perfon would be allowed to live in the country contiguous to Roundwood, that was not a true brother. * He declared that they were well furniffied v*^ith arms ; that they were to have taken Ennifkerry, and expected to be join»:d by the King's county militia.
On

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 140

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Roundwood in County Wicklow, this town was the scene of a rebel conspiracy in 1799. Joseph Reilly and David Condron were tried by court martial on the 28th of March that year for attempting to win over soldiers of the Fermanagh regiment to their cause. They conspired to murder William Booth, a Protestant, and his family, and to burn his house. The soldiers they approached had pretended to be Roman Catholics to gain the rebels' confidence. Condron told one soldier that no one would be allowed to live in the country near Roundwood who was not, in his words, "a true brother." He said they were well furnished with arms, that they were to have taken Enniskerry, and that they expected to be joined by the King's County militia.

Rebel rendezvous at Aglish and dispute over Dromana estate

Dromana · townland · Waterford · 1797

The village of Aglish was a noted rendezvous of the rebels where they formed their plans of organization; the rabble frequently disputed the division of neighbouring gentlemen's estates, including a violent conflict between two ruffians over Dromana, the seat of the Earl of Grandison.

Read the passage

In the village of Aglifs, a noted rendezvous of the rebels, atui where they formed their plans of organization, the rabble had often fierce difputcs about the divifion and the appropriation of the neighbouring gentlemen's eilates ; anil two ruffians had a violent conflidl about Dromana, the feat of tlie earl of Grandifon.
In the parifli of INIodeligo, a committee of affaffination, conr.fting of twelve farmers in very good circumftances, deliberately condemned one Thomas Curreen to die in the month of Octcber, 1797, for no other reafon, than that they fufpe£led he would not keep their fccrets, for he was one of the united brotherhood. They then proceeded in the dead hour of the night, with a number of their aflbciatcs, and Ihot him ; after which every one prefent was obliged to inflidl a wound on the body. This atrocity was afterwards proved by the information of one of the party. When they called Curreen out of his houfe, and informed him that he muff die for the good of the caule, he alked permifiion to have the affiftance of a prielt before he was put to death ; but they laid, that they fhould not have time for that purpoie, and tliat they would fay a prayer for his foul. Tiiey therefore

Internet Archive memoirsofdiffere02musg, Chapter 121

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

Deputy Postmaster's Account of French Landing at Rutland

Execution of Harvey, Grogan and Prendergast

Executions in the town of Wexford, 1798-1800

Father Cowley holds and then releases protestant prisoners at Ballina

Father Murphy tries prisoners at Castlecomer church

Father Roche harangues fleeing rebels near the bridge

French marksmen posted on hill near Ballynamuck

General Trench reconnoitres and is fired upon near Castlebar

Hanging of Walsh the Recruiter at Ballina

Lord Roden's fencibles rescue captured cannon near Castlebar

Major Vallaton mortally wounded near Enniscorthy/Wexford

Mr Daniel piked on Wexford bridge after being refused sanctuary

Murder of an elderly Protestant sergeant at Prosperous

Murder of Rev. Mr. Knipe by Defenders

Murder of Shepherd Parslow at Oldcourt

Ninety-seven Protestants massacred at Wexford bridge on 20 June 1798

Old windmill on Vinegar Hill used as rebel prison

Piper affidavit: George Piper's capture and death at Vinegar Hill

Protestants imprisoned in Colonel King's house at Ballina

Protestants shot near Dranay during the rising

Rebellion begins in Boulavogue, protestants disarmed

Rebel shot near Coolgreney carrying superstitious charm

Rebel six-pounder brought from Templepatrick meeting-house

Samuel Orange's escape at Feathard

Semple threatened with death as a 'vagabond orangeman' at Borris

Sermon of victory preached at Bannow

Skirmish and battle near Foulkesmill and Goff's Bridge

Sterne shelters at George Ogle's house near Killuran

Strategic importance of the Portaferry action

The Green Flag Raised at Killala Castle

Three Rock Hill camp near Wexford, thousands assembled

United Irishmen plot to seize cannon from Vulture privateer at Dungarvan

Whelan boasts of shooting his officer and threatens lord Kingsborough at Wexford

Yeomen cavalry charge into Wexford to save townsfolk

Kane family besieged and freed from burning house

Attack on Portaferry repulsed

Ballina magistrates post advertisement to counter massacre rumours

B.B. Harvey held prisoner at the Three Rock camp

Clare regiment soldiers convicted of conspiring to seize Waterford cannon

Conroy's House Raided and His Execution at Castlebar

Defeat at Ballinamuck and flight of rebel colonels

Dr Caulfield refuses to help imprisoned Protestant in New Ross

False alarm rouses pikemen at Baronstown

Father Cowley threatens protestant prisoners at Ballina

Father Thomas Munnelly's Raid on Bartra House

General Knox's advance from Moneymore

Hughes confesses rebellion plans before Cornwall at Myshall Lodge

Lord Altamont's property plundered despite his Catholic sympathies

Loyalists make stand at bridge houses in Castlecomer

Macartney brothers' sally recovers guns at Antrim garden wall

Meagher recruits soldier and plots murder of Colonel Jackson at Leitrim quarry

Mr Burkett shelters fleeing Protestants near the sea shore

Mrs Heydon threatened at postmaster Gill's ruined house

Prendergaft's death in the mountains near Ballina

Priest of Kilfenora committed for aiding rebels

Priest orders red tape for Catholic children in Coolkenno and Clonmore

Prisoners from Feathard released by Bagenal Harvey

Protestant soldier tried by rebel court-martial at Ballina

Rebel conspiracy to murder Booth and target soldiers near Roundwood

Rebel rendezvous at Aglish and dispute over Dromana estate