A narrative of facts, relative to the massacre of the Irish Protestants at Wexford, Scullabogue, and Vinegar Hill, in the year 1798

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Charles Davis survives burial alive after execution on Vinegar Hill

   near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

   Charles Davis, a glazier from Enniscorthy, was shot and piked on Vinegar Hill and buried lightly under sods, but survived the night and was found alive the next morning when a dog uncovered him, after which a priest administered last rites before he ultimately recovered.

   Read the passage

   The rebels desired him, insultingly, to lay his hands on his deceased friends, whom they called heretics; and told him, that all the heretics in the kingdom should fare the same fate. They then put him on his knees, in midst of the dead bodies, and shot him through the body and arm, and gave him several pike wounds; after which they buried him, covering his body lightly with sods, fie lay in this condition from 7 o'clock in the evening till 5 next morning, when he found a dog, who had scraped away the sods, licking his wounds. A party of rebels, who were near the grave, perceiving the motion of his body, exclaimed, "The dead is coming to life; and that Davis should have a priest, as he could not obtain salvation without one." Father Sutton, of Enniscorthy, who was in the camp, administered the rites of the church to him, and told him he was sorry to see him in that situation; but as there was no prospect of his recovery, he was glad that he was to die under his hands. He was then delivered to his wife, who conveyed him to his own house, where, with the aid of medical assistance, he recovered. These facts have been verified by affidavit, and are universally known. Charles Davis, who is now living, showed me his wounds.

   John Mooney, servant to Dr. Hill, and a Protestant, was taken prisoner, and conducted to the Windmill prison, on the top of Vinegarhill, the thirty-first day of May; and found there sixteen Protestant

   Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 4

   As the companion tells it

   Coming up now is Vinegar Hill, outside Enniscorthy, where in 1798 one of the strangest survivals of the rebellion took place. Charles Davis, a glazier from Enniscorthy, was made to kneel among the dead bodies on this hill. The rebels shot him through the body and arm and gave him several pike wounds, then buried him, covering him lightly with sods. He lay there from 7 in the evening till 5 the next morning, when a dog scraped away the sods and began licking his wounds. Rebels nearby saw his body move and said, "The dead is coming to life," and that Davis should have a priest, as he could not obtain salvation without one. Father Sutton of Enniscorthy, who was in the camp, administered the rites of the church to him and said he was sorry to see him in that situation, but as there was no prospect of recovery, he was glad Davis was to die under his hands. Davis was then given to his wife, who took him home, and with medical help he recovered. The facts were verified by affidavit, and when the book was written Davis was still living and showed the author his wounds.

2. Forced execution of Murphy by Protestant prisoners at Wexford bridge

   Wexford Bridge · street · Wexford · 1798

   Three Protestant prisoners were compelled under threat of death to execute a Roman Catholic informer named Murphy near the bridge in Wexford, a lengthy and gruesome ordeal involving misfired muskets and mockery by rebel captains.

   Read the passage

   The procession to the place of execution, which was about a mile and a half off, at the other side of the bridge, was in the following order: A large body of pikemen, who formed a hollow square; a black flag; the drum and fife ; Murphy, the condemned man, next followed by Jackson, with Gurley and Matthewson behind him. When this arrangement took place, the dead march was struck up, and beat till they arrived at the spot where the victim was to fall a sacrifice to their fanatical vengeance. He was placed on his knees close to the river and with his back to it. Previous to the execution, the rebels knelt down and prayed for about five minutes; which ceremony was adopted as in the former instance. The rebels were ordered to form a semi-circle, with an opening towards the water. Charles Jackson asked permission to tie his cravat about the poor man's eyes ; but they desired him not to be nice about such matters, as it would be his own case in a few minutes. When the musket was called for, it was suggested, that if they gave three at once to the executioners, they might turn about and fire at them. It was therefore resolved, that they should fire one at a time. Matthewson, the first person appointed to shoot, missed fire three times. They gave him another musket, with which he shot Murphy in the arm. Jackson was next called upon; and as they suspected that he would turn and fire on them, two men advanced at each side of him, with cocked pistols, and two men with cavalry swords were placed behind him, who threatened him with instant death if he missed the mark. He fired, and the poor man instantly fell dead ; after which Gurley was obliged to fire at the body, while prostrate on the ground. It was then proposed that Jackson should wash his hands in his blood, but it was overruled, as some of the rebels said he had done his business well. A ring was then formed round the body, and a song in honour of the Irish Republic was sung to the tune of" God save the King."

   Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

   As the companion tells it

   Along here on this street in Wexford, in 1798, a procession crossed the bridge to carry out a grim execution. A large body of pikemen formed a hollow square around a black flag, a drum and fife, and a condemned Roman Catholic informer named Murphy. Three Protestant prisoners, Charles Jackson, Gurley, and Matthewson, were compelled to shoot him, each told he would be next if he refused. The rebels knelt and prayed for about five minutes before placing Murphy on his knees close to the river, his back to the water. Jackson asked to tie his cravat over the man's eyes, but was told not to be nice about it, as it would be his own case in a few minutes. Matthewson missed fire three times, then was given another musket and shot Murphy in the arm. Jackson was next, with two men at each side holding cocked pistols and two behind him with cavalry swords, threatening instant death if he missed. He fired, and Murphy fell dead. Gurley was then made to fire at the body on the ground. The rebels proposed Jackson wash his hands in the blood, but overruled it, saying he had done his business well. A ring was formed round the body, and a song in honour of the Irish Republic was sung to the tune of "God save the King."

3. The Wexford Bridge massacre of ninety-seven prisoners

   Wexford Bridge · street · Wexford · 1798

   On 20 June 1798, rebels bearing a black flag marked with a cross and letters M.W.S. conveyed prisoners in groups to Wexford Bridge, where pikemen impaled them and threw the bodies into the river, killing ninety-seven before an alarm halted the slaughter.

   Read the passage

   "After they had massacred ninety-seven prisoners in that manner, and before they could proceed farther in their business, an express rode up in great haste, and bid them beat to arms, as Vinegar-hill was beset, and re-enforcements were wanting. There was immediately a cry 'to the

   ( 14 )

   Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

   As the companion tells it

   Along here on 20 June 1798, rebels bearing a black flag with a cross and letters M.W.S. brought prisoners in groups to the bridge, where pikemen impaled them and threw the bodies into the river. They had killed 97 when an express rode up bidding them beat to arms, as Vinegar Hill was besieged and reinforcements were wanted.

4. Father Murphy's death near the barricade at Arklow

   Arklow · town · Wicklow · 1798

   Father Murphy, who had convinced followers that heretics' bullets could not harm them, was killed by a cannon shot near the barricade during the battle of Arklow while waving a standard reading 'Liberty or death'.

   Read the passage

   A gentleman of the utmost veracity assured me, that father Murphywrote on many doors in Wexford, a Latin inscription, with his name, and the sign of the cross annexed to it. This, it is supposed, was some mark of distinction. This is the same individual who, at the battle of Arklow, took out of his pocket some musket-balls, which he said were fired by the enemy, and some of which had hit him without wounding him, and others he had caught in his hands. He assured them, at the same time, that the balls of heretics could not injure them, as they were under the protection of the Almighty, in whose cause they were fighting, provided they were steadfast in the faith. By that stratagem, he prevailed on many of the deluded wretches to follow him; and they successively became victims of their superstition and temerity. Father Murphy, after many escapes, fell himself by a cannon shot, within a few yards of the barricade, while shouting to his followers, and waving in his hand a fine standard, with a cross, and "Liberty or death" inscribed on it. The fall of this church-militant hero had an immediate effect in damping their ardour, which from that moment began to abate.

   The rebels, being apprized of the army advancing to Wexford, determined to make their escape as quick as possible, and began to relreat from the town in the utmost confusion. Mrs. Dickson, wife to the bloody Thomas Dickson, who accompanied him on horseback, with a sword and a case of pistols, clapped the rebels on the back and encouraged them, by saying, "We must conquer; I know we must conquer:" and she exclaimed, repeatedly, "My Saviour tells me we must conquer!"

   Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Arklow in Wicklow, you are near the ground where the battle of Arklow was fought in 1798. A priest called Father Murphy had convinced many followers that the balls of heretics could not injure them, saying they were under the protection of the Almighty. He showed musket balls he said had hit him without wounding him, and others he claimed to have caught in his hands. By this means he prevailed on many to follow him into the fight. Father Murphy fell himself by a cannon shot, within a few yards of the barricade, while shouting to his followers and waving a standard marked with a cross and the words "Liberty or death." His fall had an immediate effect in damping their ardour, which from that moment began to abate. The account comes from a narrative of facts relative to the events of that year in Wexford.

5. Massacre of soldiers near Forth Mountain

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

   A detachment marching from Duncannon Fort was ambushed by rebels near the mountain of Forth; eighty-nine privates and three officers, including Captain Adams, were cut to pieces, and an artillery gunner saved his comrades' lives by falsely claiming they were Roman Catholics.

   Read the passage

   The militia, panic-struck by the numbers of the enemy, and the darkness of the night, betook themselves to flight; in consequence of which, eighty-nine of the privates and three officers, including Captain Adams, who commanded, were cut to pieces; and, of the artillery, four gunners were killed; a corporal and eleven men were taken prisoners, and the howitzers and ammunition fell into the hands of the rebels. As soon as they had taken the artillerymen, they were proceeding to put them to death, but a rebel having asked of them what religion they were, a gunner, of the name of Dungannon, answered that they were Roman catholics, which saved their lives; though, in fact, six of them were protestants. Dungannon, being a papist, knew the object of their question.

   Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

6. Execution of the Neal father and sons on Vinegar Hill

   Ballybrennan · townland · Wexford · 1798

   William Neal and his sons Henry and Bryan were seized at Ballybrennan and taken to Vinegar Hill camp, where Bryan was tortured with an adze and speared before being shot, while his father was spared by what the rebels called a divine sign after the executioner's gun repeatedly misfired.

   Read the passage

   When they arrived on Vinegar-hill, Murphy said he would not bring any more Orangemen unless they put them to death directly. On which a conference was held, when the father and two sons were immediately condemned. They first led out to execution Bryan, who begged they would shoot him, instead of torturing him with pikes. One of the rebels said he should not die so easy a death, and instantly struck him on the head with a carpenter's adze, which made him stagger a few j'ards; but he was soon brought back, when one of them stabbed him in the side with a spear, another in the neck, and a third shoved them aside and shot him. William, the father, who was then brought forth, solicited to be shot; and having complied with his request, they put him on his knees. The executioner missed fire at him three times; on which father Roche, the general, who attended the execution, desired him to try whether his firelock would go off in the air. He accordingly tried, and it succeeded. Father Roche then gave him a protection, and ordered him to be discharged ; having imputed his escape to Divine Providence. Murphy and Maddock were near neighbours, and supposed to be intimate friends of the Neal family, who had no suspicion that they harboured such sanguinary hatred against them, on account of their being of the Protestant persuasion. William Neal had another son burnt at the barn of Scullabogue.

   Charles Davis, a glazier of Enniscorthy, and of the Protestant religion, fought against the rebels in defence of that town ; but was afterwards made a prisoner, and conveyed to Vinegar-hill by a party of rebels, who informed him that, as he was an Orangeman, he would be put to death. On his arrival at the camp, he saw about forty bodies lying dead, quite naked, and very much mangled with pikes; among which he perceived the body of Mr. Henry Hatton, portrieve of the town of Enniscorthy.

   Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 4

7. Torture and slow killing of John Stillman near Enniscorthy

   Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

   Eighty-year-old John Stillman and George Saunders were shot on the road to Enniscorthy; Saunders died instantly, but Stillman survived repeated shootings and mutilation by a rebel outpost before finally being killed, and was afterwards mockingly called their 'plaything'.

   Read the passage

   John Stillman, eighty years old, who had served as a soldier the greater part of his life, and George Saunders, seventy years old, slept all Monday night in Ringwood; and having come out of it at twelve o'clock next day, they were shot on the road leading to Enniscorthy. Saunders died instantly; Stillman continued alive till next day, and was able to sit up. A rebel outpost, of about twenty men, amused themselves with ridiculing, insulting anil torturing him. They often asked him, in irony, (as he was a Protestant,) Whether he would have a priest? They had but one ball among them, and they fired it five or six times through his body, while prostrate on the ground ; and yet he was alive next day. He had but one eye, which they put out with a pike. At length they put him to death. Afterwards, the rebels were known to call him their plaything, in conversation at Enniscorthy, and to declare he was so tough an old fellow, that they had great difficulty in putting him to death.

   The gangs of pikemen who were sent to roam the country in quest of Protestants, to supply the grand slaughter-house at Vinegar-hill, could not restrain their thirst for blood, and often killed their prisoners on the spot where they seized them, though contrary to the order of their leaders. On the thirtieth day of May, William Neal, Henry and Bryan, his sons, were seized at their house at Ballybrennan, by a band of assassins, who were sent from the camp in search of Protestants, and were conveyed to Vinegar-hill camp. Michael Maddock and Joseph Murphy were leaders of the party. The former called them Orangemen, mean-

   Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 4

8. Vinegar Hill as 'grand slaughter-house' for Protestant prisoners

   near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

   Protestants were routinely taken from Wexford prisons to Vinegar Hill to be executed there whenever rebels needed victims as 'a regale' during their parades, including four named prisoners shot there on 20 June.

   Read the passage

   Charles Jackson informs us, and I have been assured by different persons of veracity, that protestants were frequently taken out of Wexford prisons, and conveyed to the different camps, and in particular to Vinegar- Hill, to be executed there. This was done whenever they were at a loss to supply the sacrifice of protestant victims, which was daily made, as a regale to the rebels when they were on parade.

   James Lett, chandler, Richard Leech, master shoemaker, William Mooney, who kept the Fox-Inn at Enniscorthy, and John Hawkins, were taken from Wexford by a rebel guard, who was to convey them. to the grand slaughter-house, Vinegar-hill. Finding that they were to die near their own homes, they prevailed on a rebel, who was attached

   Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

   As the companion tells it

   Up ahead is Vinegar Hill, outside Enniscorthy. In 1798, rebels made this hill what the source calls a grand slaughter-house for Protestant prisoners. Protestants were frequently taken from Wexford prisons and conveyed here to be executed, whenever rebels on parade needed victims as a regale. On 20 June 1798, four men were brought from Wexford under a rebel guard to die here: James Lett, a chandler; Richard Leech, a master shoemaker; William Mooney, who kept the Fox-Inn at Enniscorthy; and John Hawkins. Finding they were to be killed near their own homes, they prevailed on one rebel who was attached to them.

9. Plunder of Bishop Cleaver's palace at Ferns

   Ferns · townland · Wexford · 1798

   Despite the bishop's charity to the poor, his own former orphan ward led rebels in plundering his palace at Ferns on Whitsunday morning, and the mob openly avowed their thirst for his blood and that of Mrs. Cleaver.

   Read the passage

   He supplied them with clothes and blankets every winter, and with provisions at Christmas; and yet, horrid to relate, those very labourers plundered his house of every valuable article in it, on the morning of Whitsunday, and openly avowed their thirst for the blood of him and Mrs. Cleaver. An orphan, whom he had found naked, and starving at the age of seven years, and whom he had fed, and clothed, and instructed for six years in his palace, was the leader of these savages, showed them every precious article of furniture, and assisted them in breaking open the cellar. He used to preside at the head of the table, and his toast was, " Damnation to all protestant bishops !" Some of his lordship's English maid-servants were eye-witnesses to these scenes of brutal ferocity.

   A rebel, taken in arms near Scarawalsh Bridge, in the month of June, was asked why they did not destroy the bishop's palace when they plundered it, and he answered, that Father John Murphy, of Boulavouge, meant to keep it for himself.

   Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

10. Rebel retreat and civilian massacre at Enniscorthy

    Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

    After the battle of Enniscorthy the rebels regrouped and overran the town, burning it and massacring Protestant inhabitants who could not flee; over 470 houses and cabins were destroyed in the town and suburbs.

    Read the passage

    The town, the morning after the rebels got possession of it, presented a dreadful scene of carnage and conflagration; many bodies were lying dead in the streets, and others groaning in the agonies of death; some parts of the town were entirely consumed, and in others, the flames continued to rage with inextinguishable fury; no less than four hundred and seventy-eight dwelling-houses and cabins, were burnt in the town and its suburbs, besides a great number of stores and malt-houses, and out offices. Early next morning, the rebels formed a camp on Vinegar Hill, made intrenchments round it, and placed some batteries in them. They then stationed a large garrison in the town, which was relieved every day, by an officer's guard from the camp. Such great numbers from the lower class of people, from the adjoining parts of the country, flocked to their camp, that it soon consisted of at least ten thousand men. They posted strong picquet guards and sentinels in all the avenues leading to the town, and for some miles round it.

    They then proceeded to destroy the church of Enniscorthy, and having pulled down the organ, the pews, the communion table, and the reading-desk, they burned them to ashes before the church door, where they tore the Bibles and the prayer-books ; and then proceeded to demolish the remainder of the inside part, leaving nothing but the roof and the bare walls. They took down the bell, and mounted it between two beams on Vinegar Hill, for the purpose of marking the progress of time, and of alarming the camp in case of surprise.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 4

11. Killing of Samuel Goodison near Enniscorthy by his own friend

    Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

    Samuel Goodison, a prosperous Protestant farmer, sought protection at Enniscorthy from his friend Luke Byrne, who instead shot him instantly; Byrne later boasted of the killing as his 'sweetest breakfast'.

    Read the passage

    Samuel Goodison, a farmer, worth ,£400 a year, of the Protestant religion, was universally esteemed for his good moral character. He and his family, consisting of a wife and nine children, remained in Ringwood on the night of the twenty-eighth of May, to escape the fanatical rage of the rebels. On Tuesday morning, they repaired to St. John's, the seat of Dr. Hill, on Slaney, who offered to let them remain there; but Goodison said he had such warm friends among the Roman Catholics, that he was sure of getting a protection from them, if he could arrive with safety at Enniscorthy. He left his family at a mill within a quarter of a mile of the town; and, having advanced a short way, he was overwhelmed with joy at meeting his neighbour and particular friend, Luke Byrne; but that sanguinary ruffian shot him instant^, instead of affording him that protection which he solicited. A respectable lady of Enniscorthy heard him boast afterwards, that he never eat so sweet a breakfast as he had that morning, for he had killed Samuel Goodison and William Carroll.

    John Stillman, eighty years old, who had served as a soldier the greater part of his life, and George Saunders, seventy years old, slept all Monday night in Ringwood; and having come out of it at twelve o'clock next day, they were shot on the road leading to Enniscorthy. Saunders died instantly; Stillman continued alive till next day, and was able to sit up. A rebel outpost, of about twenty men, amused themselves with ridiculing, insulting anil torturing him. They often asked him, in irony, (as he was a Protestant,) Whether he would have a priest? They had but one ball among them, and they fired it five or six times through his body, while prostrate on the ground ; and yet he was alive next day. He had but one eye, which they put out with a pike. At length they put him to death. Afterwards, the rebels were known to call him their plaything, in conversation at Enniscorthy, and to declare he was so tough an old fellow, that they had great difficulty in putting him to death.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 4

12. Father Corrin rescues Mr. Killett at the bridge

    Wexford Bridge · street · Wexford · 1798

    Father Corrin, the parish priest of Wexford, rushed to the bridge and threw himself between Mr. Killett and the pikemen, saving his life, though he did not intervene for the other prisoners being killed nearby.

    Read the passage

    While they were despatching Mr. Hore, of Harperstown, Mr. Killett, who was the next intended victim, sent a person in the crowd, who had formerly lived with him as servant, for priest Corrin, who dined at Dr. Caulfield's, the popish bishop, to let him know his perilous situation; and he instantly repaired to the bridge, threw himself between Mr. Killett and the pikemen, saying that they should not kill Mr. K. without first butchering him. Having thus rescued him, he first led him to his own house, and afterwards to Clonard, about two miles off, the seat of Mr. Killett, who kept Mr. Corrin at his house till next day, to protect him from the military, who was expected in Wexford. It was universally believed, that father Corrin's interference did not proceed from pure motives of humanity, but from a preconcerted agreement with Mr. Killett, fOr the following reasons: " He did not approach the bridge, or use any exertion, till he received Mr. Killett's message, at the bishop's, and then he led him away under his protection; he left the other prisoners on their knees in the hands of the ruthless pikemen, without offering to interfere for their preservation.

    A person of the utmost veracity, who was led outto execution, and

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

    As the companion tells it

    Along here at Wexford Bridge in 1798, prisoners were being put to death by pikemen. Mr. Killett, the next intended victim after Mr. Hore of Harperstown, sent a former servant to find Father Corrin, the parish priest, who was dining at Dr. Caulfield's, the bishop. Corrin came straight to the bridge and threw himself between Killett and the pikemen, telling them they should not kill Mr. Killett without first butchering him. He then led Killett to his own house and afterwards to Clonard, about 2 miles off, Killett's seat, where Killett kept Corrin till next day to protect him from the military expected in Wexford. It was universally believed that Father Corrin's interference did not proceed from pure motives of humanity but from a preconcerted agreement with Killett. He did not approach the bridge or use any exertion until he received Killett's message at the bishop's, and he left the other prisoners on their knees in the hands of the pikemen without offering to interfere for their preservation.

13. Mass execution of sixteen prisoners at the Windmill on Vinegar Hill

    near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

    John Mooney was imprisoned with sixteen other Protestants in the Windmill prison on Vinegar Hill, where prisoners including a father and his thirteen-year-old son were dragged out one by one and shot, the boy killed in front of his father.

    Read the passage

    prisoners, with some of whom he had been long acquainted. They were desired to prepare for death-; and soon after, a ruffian entered the prison with a drawn hanger, and began to torture the prisoners by way of amusement; but the rebel sentinel stopped him, and said, that as they were soon to die, it was cruel to torment them. In a few minutes, one of the prisoners was dragged out of the mill door, and shot, and soon after, the remainder were executed in the same manner. Among them, there was a well dressed, respectable looking man, and his son, a boy about thirteen years old. The father seemed to bear his approaching dissolution with great fortitude, supposing that they would not injure his son, on account of his tender age; but what agonizing pangs must he have felt, when his child was butchered in his presence! and he, when led out to execution, was obliged to step over his bleeding corpse, which fell across the door.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 4

    As the companion tells it

    Vinegar Hill, in Wexford, is coming up now, the ground where the Windmill prison stood in 1798. John Mooney was held here with sixteen other Protestants. They were told to prepare for death. A man entered the prison with a drawn hanger and began to torture the prisoners for amusement, but a rebel sentinel stopped him, saying that as they were soon to die, it was cruel to torment them. Then the prisoners were dragged out of the mill door one by one and shot. Among them was a well-dressed, respectable man and his son, a boy about thirteen years old. The father bore his approaching death with great fortitude, supposing they would not injure his son on account of his tender age. But the boy was butchered in his presence, and when the father was led out to execution, he was obliged to step over his child's bleeding corpse, which fell across the door.

14. Tailor William Neil intercepted with Fawcett's pass, burned at Scullabogue

    Camolin · town · Wexford · 1798

    William Neil, a Catholic tailor travelling home to Camolin with a protective pass from General Fawcett, was intercepted by rebels who saw the pass as a mark of Protestantism, and was burned in the barn along with his son.

    Read the passage

    Having occasion to return to Camolin, of which he was a native, he procured the pass of General Fawcett for his protection, but it turned to be the means of his destruction ; for having been intercepted by the rebels, who considered the pass as an emblem of protestantism, they committed him to the barn, with his son Daniel, who happened to accompany him, and they both perished in the flames.

    Some persons have contended that the persecutions in the county of Wexford were not exclusively levelled against the protestants; but the sanguinary spirit against them was so uniform at Vinegar-hill, on the bridge of Wexford and Scullabogue, and indeed in every part of the county, and the putting to death such of the Romanists as they thought to participate in their favour, was enough to remove all doubts on that head.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 3

15. Murder of Mr. Hore of Harperstown at the bridge

    Wexford Bridge · street · Wexford · 1798

    Mr. Hore of Harperstown, nephew to the Earl of Courtown, was questioned about his connections before being massacred with pikes by rebels at Wexford Bridge and thrown into the river.

    Read the passage

    Mr. Hore, of Harper's town, nephew to the earl of Courtown, a most respectable, amiable, inoffensive gentleman, and Mr. Killett, were next brought from the prison-ship. The former was asked whether he had any person who could speak in his favour. He said he had not, but requested time to find a person who could do so. He was then asked whether he wajs connected with Mr. Boyd, member for the town. He answered, by saying that Mr. Boyd wag married to his sister, to which the rebels replied, that is enough; and having immediately massacred him with their pikes, they threw him into the river. Mr. Edwards, taken out of the prison-ship, was saved, because he was married to a popish wife. It was asked, by one of the rebels, whether he had ever prevented his wife from going to mass. Another, who was friendly to him, answered in the negative, and said, he had often attended his wife to the chapel, and had gone for her when mass was over; on which he was discharged.

    Mr. Samuel Atkin, married to a protestant, was murdered.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

    As the companion tells it

    Along here at the bridge in 1798, rebels brought Mr. Hore of Harperstown from the prison-ship. He was a nephew of the Earl of Courtown, described as a most respectable, amiable, inoffensive gentleman. He was asked whether he had anyone who could speak in his favour. He said he had not, but asked for time to find someone. Then he was asked whether he was connected with Mr. Boyd, member for the town. He answered that Mr. Boyd was married to his sister. The rebels replied, that is enough. They massacred him with their pikes and threw him into the river. Others faced the same questioning. Mr. Edwards was saved because he was married to a Catholic wife, when a rebel confirmed he had never stopped her going to mass and had often escorted her to the chapel himself. Mr. Samuel Atkin, married to a Protestant, was murdered.

16. Protestants massacred fleeing into Ringwood

    Ringwood · townland · Dublin · 1798

    Numbers of Protestants fled to the wood of St John's, known as Ringwood, after the fall of Enniscorthy, where they hid overnight before rebels swept the wood the next day and killed those who could not escape.

    Read the passage

    When they entered the town, some ladies, of distinguished beauty, wild with horror and affright, waded over the river Slaney, at the risk of their lives, with one child on their back, and another in their arms. Numbers, of both sexes, fled to the wood of St. John's, better known by the name of Ringwood, where they passed the whole night, petrified with horror at hearing shots constantly fired, the shouts of the rebels, and the groans of the dying. They kept a gloomy silence, not venturing to speak to each other, lest they should be discovered. The rebels having heard, next day, that a number of protestants were in the wood, sent a party, well armed, to scour it; and they killed such of them as were not fortunate enough to make their escape. They continued, for some days after, to beat it as closely as a pack of fox-hounds would.

    A party of ladies, who fled towards the river, when the rebels entered the town, informed me that several shots were fired at them; and that, in their retreat, they met a boy about sixteen years old, armed with a pike, who approached them with a stern air; on which they asked him if he was going to kill them, and he said, "No; but it is no matter where you go, for you will all be killed."

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 4

17. Inscription carved on the Wexford bridge portcullis

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798–1799

    Soon after the massacre, mocking sentences referencing the killing of Orangemen were carved onto the portcullis of Wexford bridge, the very site of the murders, and remained legible a year later.

    Read the passage

    Soon after the massacres, on the twentieth of June, the following sentences were carved on the portcullis of the bridge, the place where the murders were perpetrated, and they were legible in the month of June, 1799: "Sacred to the Christian doctrine of sending Orangemen to the meadows of ease, June, 1798. The holy heretics that were slain."

    ( 19 )

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Wexford, there is a bridge where massacres took place in 1798. On the 20th of June, soon after the killings, someone carved mocking sentences into the portcullis. The inscription read, 'Sacred to the Christian doctrine of sending Orangemen to the meadows of ease, June, 1798. The holy heretics that were slain.' The words were still legible in June 1799.

18. Rebel muster and massacre plans announced at Oulart

    Oulart · town · Wexford · 1798

    A captured rebel confessed that the party led by Rev. John Murphy intended to burn houses and kill every Protestant they met, and that the countryside was to assemble that night at Oulart to plunder and burn Protestant houses on the way.

    Read the passage

    Early on the morning of Whitsunday, Captain White, having been informed that the rebels had risen the previous night in great force, and were committing great outrages, proceeded to the place where they were said to be assembled, with his own corps, and that of Lord Courtown's. On his arrival there, he found the intelligence he had received to be true. He pursued the insurgents, which he could easily do, as their destructive progress was marked by the houses of protestants in a state of conflagration. He ordered some of the stragglers, whom he found in arms, to be put to death. One of them, whose life was saved, confessed to Captain White, that the party whom they pursued was headed by the Rev. John Murphy, of the parish of Hilcormuck; that they were determined to burn the house, and take the life of every protestant that came in their way; that the inhabitants of the country, for some miles round, were to assemble that night at Oulart, and were to plunder and burn all the protestant houses that occurred in their way thither. Captain White's party pursued the rebels within six miles of Wexford, in hopes of being able to engage them; but when they were within a musket shot of them, they halted, and faced about to give them battle; at the same time a party of them formed at each side of the road, with a view of surrounding them. The rebels amounted to about four thousand, and the yeomen cavalry, who were armed onlv with pistols and sabres, did not exceed eighty; and as they were enclosed in a narrow road, where they could not act, Captain White verv prudently ordered them to retreat. He then recommended to his yeomen to get their families into Gory as fast as possible.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

19. Windmill prison and daily executions on Vinegar Hill

    near Vinegar Hill · hill or hills · Wexford · 1798

    The rebels turned the walls of an old windmill atop Vinegar Hill into a prison for Protestant captives, who were tried by court-martial and daily led out to be shot or piked before the assembled rebel ranks as entertainment.

    Read the passage

    The walls of an old wind-mill, on the top of the hill, served as a fold to contain the victims who supplied the sacrifice of the day, and

    ( 26 )

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 4

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass Vinegar Hill, those slopes saw grim work in 1798. The rebels used the walls of an old windmill on the summit as a prison for Protestant captives, tried by court-martial and led out daily to be shot or piked before the assembled rebel ranks.

20. Priest Father Shallow of Ballyshannon refuses to save the Dobbyn family

    Ballyshannon · townland · Wexford · 1798

    Elizabeth Dobbyn went to Father Shallow, parish priest residing at Ballyshannon near Scullabogue, to beg for the release of her husband and son held prisoner, but he refused, claiming he would be endangered himself.

    Read the passage

    The following occurrence, relative to a priest, happened on the same day, and shows what great influence the sacerdotal order had over the misguided multitude. Patrick Dobbyn, and his three sons, William, Richard, and Samuel, were taken prisoners at Oldcourt, in the parish of Adamstown, where they resided, by Thomas Cavenagh, and some more popish banditti, who committed them to prison at Scullabogue; the former on the second, the latter on the first day of June. Elizabeth, the wife of Patrick Dobbyn, went to father Shallow, parish priest of the union of Adamstown Newbawn, who resided at Ballyshannon, one mile from Scullabogue, and implored him to have her husband and son released; but he refused, and informed her, that he should be in as much danger as they, if he went near the rebel camp; and yet the same priest liberated from the barn, and saved a young man of the name of Lett, the son of a Mr. Lett of Kilgibbon, within three or four miles of Enniscorthy; and it appeared, also, by affidavit sworn before General Fawcett, that Father Shallow took an active part in the rebel camp at Carrickbyrne.

    William Fleming, a protestant, and a yeoman in the Taghmon cavalry, having the protection of a priest, went to the barn on the seventh of June, to look for the body of one Robert Cooke, a friend, for the purpose of interring it; but the bodies were so much injured by the fire, that he could not distinguish one from the other. This he testified on his affidavit, which contained many curious particulars relative to the rebellion, particularly the exhortation of father Roche, the general, in the camp of Slievekilta, to extirpate Orangemen and disaffected persons, and in which he assured the rebels, that they were fighting for their religion.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 3

21. Destruction of Enniscorthy church

    Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

    Rebels destroyed the interior of the Protestant church at Enniscorthy, burning the organ, pews, communion table and reading-desk before the church door, tearing up Bibles and prayer books, and later mounted the church bell on Vinegar Hill.

    Read the passage

    They then proceeded to destroy the church of Enniscorthy, and having pulled down the organ, the pews, the communion table, and the reading-desk, they burned them to ashes before the church door, where they tore the Bibles and the prayer-books ; and then proceeded to demolish the remainder of the inside part, leaving nothing but the roof and the bare walls. They took down the bell, and mounted it between two beams on Vinegar Hill, for the purpose of marking the progress of time, and of alarming the camp in case of surprise.

    They committed such protestants as were not fortunate enough to retreat to Wexford, with their protestant neighbours, or to escape into the woods, to a prison on the hill, formed by the walls of an old windmill, and then proceeded to try them by a court-martial, which sat constantly for that purpose. The only charge against them was, their being Orange-men, which was synonymous with protestant.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 4

22. Tintern Protestants marched to Scullabogue barn

    Tintern · townland · Wexford · 1798

    Twenty-four Protestants, many old and feeble, were taken from the village of Tintern, about eight miles from Scullabogue, and led together to the barn where they perished in the fire.

    Read the passage

    No less than twenty-four protestants were taken from the village of Tintern, about eight miles distant, many of them old and feeble, and were led in one drove to the barn where they perished.

    Thomas Shee and Patrick Prendergast were burnt in the barn, both Romanists, because they would not consent to massacre their protestant masters.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 3

23. Black test oath discovered on rebels in Wexford

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

    A Roman Catholic committee member described how a murderous 'black test oath' bound rebels to destroy heretics, and copies of this oath were later found on the bodies of killed rebels in Wexford.

    Read the passage

    shop where he was, and asked another to give him the black test oath. This was refused, and the person who asked left the shop; on which the man who wanted to take the oath said, 'That fellow shall be one of the first I will kill; but as to the oath I don't care, for another will give it to me.' This oath was found in various places and on different rebels who were killed."

    A gentleman of the utmost veracity assured me, that father Murphywrote on many doors in Wexford, a Latin inscription, with his name, and the sign of the cross annexed to it. This, it is supposed, was some mark of distinction. This is the same individual who, at the battle of Arklow, took out of his pocket some musket-balls, which he said were fired by the enemy, and some of which had hit him without wounding him, and others he had caught in his hands. He assured them, at the same time, that the balls of heretics could not injure them, as they were under the protection of the Almighty, in whose cause they were fighting, provided they were steadfast in the faith. By that stratagem, he prevailed on many of the deluded wretches to follow him; and they successively became victims of their superstition and temerity. Father Murphy, after many escapes, fell himself by a cannon shot, within a few yards of the barricade, while shouting to his followers, and waving in his hand a fine standard, with a cross, and "Liberty or death" inscribed on it. The fall of this church-militant hero had an immediate effect in damping their ardour, which from that moment began to abate.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Wexford, this is the town where, in 1798, a black test oath circulated among rebels. One man asked another in a shop to give him the oath and was refused. He left, saying of the man who refused, that fellow shall be one of the first I will kill, but as to the oath, he did not care, for another will give it to me. Copies of this oath were later found on the bodies of rebels who were killed in various places. Father Murphy, the same figure who wrote a Latin inscription with his name and the sign of the cross on many doors in Wexford, told followers at the battle of Arklow that the balls of heretics could not injure them, showing musket-balls he said had hit him without wounding him or that he had caught in his hands. Many followed him on that assurance. He was killed by a cannon shot within a few yards of the barricade, shouting to his followers and waving a standard with a cross and the words Liberty or death. His fall had an immediate effect in damping their ardour.

24. Matthewson shot and butchered in the street at Wexford

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1798

    A prisoner named Matthewson was dragged from the rebel committee-room and shot and piked to death in the street at Wexford. John Atkin, hidden in the committee room, witnessed the killing while concealing himself from the mob.

    Read the passage

    John Rossiter, another member of the committee, showed John Atkin the form of an oath which he said the committee had taken, and the instructions which they had received to regulate the manner of proceeding; that early on that day, a man went to him where he was confined, and showed him a list, which he said was the black list, which he had got from the committee sitting below stairs. The prisoners were then led to the committee-room door, but were kept outside it. The man, who first accused Matthewson, rushed into the room with a party of rebels, who dragged him out. When the bloody committee was going to see Matthewson put to death, John Rossiter, having a regard for Atkin, and wishing to save his life, put him into the committee-room, desired him to shut himself in, and not to appear at the windows, lest he should be shot. He entered the room, and saw Matthewson shot and butchered with pikes in the street. There was a table in the committee-room, on which there were pens, ink, and paper, and a green book, which, having put into his pocket, he crept under a bed, where he lay concealed till John Rossiter afterwards, when the committee had adjourned, led him back to his cell, where he concealed the book, containing a calendar of all the Protestants at that time prisoners in Wexford. The committee were much incensed at the loss of their book, but could not account for it. The reader may well conceive the perturbation of John Atkin. who lay concealed under the bed while the members of the committee were vowing vengeance against the person who carried off the book. The amiable lady, whose diary I have quoted, says in it, "Mr. Pat. Redmond, a Roman Catholic, and one of the committee for provisions, came to us the evening of the day the massacre was committed. He was, like ourselves, half dead with horror, and declared that he entreated the priests to come down with their crucifixes, and prevent the massacre; but they all refused to do so. We told him that father Broe said he had saved nineteen prisoners.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

    As the companion tells it

    As the road takes you through Wexford, this is the town where, in 1798, a prisoner named Matthewson was dragged from a rebel committee-room and murdered in the street. John Rossiter, a member of the committee, had shown John Atkin the oath the committee had taken and the instructions they had received for their proceedings. A man came to where Atkin was confined and showed him what he called the black list, which he said he had got from the committee sitting below stairs. The prisoners were led to the committee-room door but kept outside. The man who first accused Matthewson rushed into the room with a party of rebels, who dragged him out. When the committee went to see Matthewson put to death, Rossiter, having a regard for Atkin, put him into the committee-room and told him to shut himself in and not to appear at the windows, lest he should be shot. Atkin entered, and from there saw Matthewson shot and butchered with pikes in the street. On a table in the committee-room lay pens, ink, and paper, and a green book. Atkin put the book into his pocket and crept under a bed. The book contained a calendar of all the Protestants then prisoners in Wexford. He lay concealed there until Rossiter, after the committee had adjourned, led him back to his cell, where he concealed the book. The committee were much incensed at the loss of it but could not account for it. Atkin lay under the bed while members of the committee vowing vengeance against whoever had carried it off. That evening, a diary records, Mr. Pat Redmond, a Roman Catholic and one of the committee for provisions, came to someone half dead with horror. He declared he had entreated the priests to come down with their crucifixes and prevent the massacre, but they all refused. Father Broe, it was said, had saved 19 prisoners.

25. Murder of Richard Whately and Edward Sly in Enniscorthy

    Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

    During the sack of Enniscorthy, rebels murdered Richard Whately, a lock-smith nearly a hundred years old, and Edward Sly was shot by his own neighbour while offering him a drink.

    Read the passage

    They murdered Richard Whately, a lock-smith, near one hundred years old, and Edward Sly, a protestant, was shot by his neighbour,

    ( ^ )

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 4

26. Magistrates proclaim Wexford county amid rebellion fears

    Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford · 1798

    Twenty-seven magistrates assembled at Enniscorthy on 25 April 1798 and agreed the county should be proclaimed, which took effect two days later. Local gentlemen tried to exempt their own towns and tenants from the proclamation.

    Read the passage

    The symptoms of rebellion were so evident and alarming in the month of April, that twenty-seven magistrates assembled at Enniscorthy, on the twenty-fifth of that month, and agreed that the whole county should be proclaimed, and it accordingly took place on the twenty-seventh; but Mr. Joshua Pounder strenuously urged an exemption from its operation on that town, from a conviction of the loyalty of its inhabitants; and Mr. Alcock, of Wilton, from the -same motive, solicited a similar privilege for his tenants; though the sequel proved that they were deceived. As one Webster, a

    (4)

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 2

27. Priests Roche and Murphy Say Mass on March from Gorey to Arklow

    Gorey · town · Wexford · 1798

    During the 1798 rebellion, the priests Roche and Murphy reportedly said mass four times while marching rebel forces from Gorey to Arklow. This detail closes the document found in a priest's box, linking clerical involvement directly to the rebel march.

    Read the passage

    Roche and Murphy said mass four times on the march from Gory to Arklow.

    FINIS.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 5

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Gorey, you are on the road the rebels took in 1798. The priests Roche and Murphy marched with them toward Arklow and said mass four times along the way.

28. Lough Derg Declared a Holy Lake

    near Lough Derg · lake or lakes · Donegal · 1798

    The document found in a priest's box at Gorey lists Lough Derg in the North as a site acknowledged to be holy among the articles of faith attributed to Catholic conspirators. This reflects the religious veneration of the lake within the alleged oath.

    Read the passage

    26. We acknowledge the lake in the North to be holy, called Lough-Derg.

    27. We are bound to pray to no other saint on that day, only to him to whom it is dedicated.

    Internet Archive narrativeoffacts00musg, Chapter 5