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Inspired by the French Revolution Irish republicans tried to gain independence from Great Britain in the 1798 rebellion. However, the British Army prevailed and as direct consequence the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was established

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date: May – Sep 1798
  • Location: Ireland
  • Event: Irish rebellion against British rule

 

Parties & Persons Involved

  • United Irishmen
  • Defenders
  • French Republic
  • Kingdom of Great Britain
  • Kingdom of Ireland

 

Background

  • The Catholic Ireland is dominated by the Protestant Ascendency (at least since the Williamite War of 1689 – 1691):
    • Catholics & non-conformists are not allowed to carry weapons & are excluded from the military & the administration
    • The British government has the right to veto Irish decisions
  • Extension of the Irish rights in the 1780s:
    • During the American War of Independence (1775-1783) a militia, the Irish Volunteers, is formed to counter the threat of a French invasion
    • 1782: Under the pressure of the Irish Volunteers (approx. 100,000) self-government & an independent Irish parliament are established
  • Liberal ideas grow because of external events:
    • American Revolution (1763-1783)
    • French Revolution (1789-1799)
  • Irish resistance groups form during the 1780s:
    • Society of United Irishmen – Catholics & non-conformist Protestants
    • Defenders – rural areas

 

History

The Way into the Rebellion

  • From 1793: The Defenders raid loyalist houses
  • 1795: The Irish church tends to support the British government after the foundation of the Catholic Maynooth College
  • Feb 1796: Wolfe Tone arrives in Paris & convinces the French Republic to support the Irish cause
  • Dec 1796: A French invasion with 14,000 troops fails because of poor decisions & bad weather
  • Feb 1798: The Irish church categorically rejects a rebellion after French forces occupy Rome
  • 02 Mar 1798: The British declare martial law & lead a successful campaign against the United Irishmen
  • Tone & the United Irishmen decide to start a rebellion before it is too late

 

Outbreak & Suppression of the Rebellion

  • 23 May 1798: The start of the rebellion is planed in Dublin & neighbouring counties
  • The British intercept communication, concentrate troops & prevent the planned uprising
  • From 24 May 1798: However, the rebellion spreads across Ireland
  • 24 May 1798: Irish victories in County Kildare
  • 25 May 1798: British victories in Counties Wicklow & Carlow
  • 26 May 1798: British victories County Meath
  • 26 – 30 May 1798: Irish victories in County Wexford
  • 05 & 09 Jun 1798: British victories in the Battles of New Ross & Arklow prevent the rebellion from spreading further
  • More British victories follow in Counties Down, Kildare, Cork & Wexford
  • 21 Jun 1798: Decisive British victory in the Battle of Vinegar Hill

 

French Invasion

  • 22 Aug 1798: 1,000 – 2,000 French troops land in County Mayo & are joint by 5,000 Irish rebels
  • 27 Aug 1798: French-Irish forces win the Battle of Castlebar
  • Declaration of the Republic Connacht (27 Aug – 08 Sep 1798)
  • 05 Sep 1798: French-Irish forces win the Battle of Colloony
  • 08 Sep 1798: British victory in the Battle of Ballinamuck
  • 23 Sep 1798: British victory in the Battle of Killala

 

Consequences & Impact

  • Smaller rebellions continue until 1804
  • The Acts of Union (in effect from: 01 Jan 1801) fully integrate Ireland into the United Kingdom
  • Integration of non-conformist Protestants
  • A process of removing the discrimination of Catholics begins
  • Division of Catholic nationalists & non-conformist Protestants in Ireland