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Through
1797 and from January 1798 until the outbreak of the Rebellion on
the 24th May, reports were sent to Dublin Castle complaining of the
state of the county of Kildare. While loyalists barracked the Government
for its inability to deal with the upsurge in seditious and rebellious
activities, the United Irishmen desperately tried to consolidate their
organisation.
1798
February 26
The returns
of men for Kildare (these returns were given by Lord Edward to
Thomas Reynolds, who subsequently gave them totheGovernment),indicated10,863
active United Irishmen in the county at this time. They had £110,
17s, 7d at their disposal.
March 12
The majority
of the members of the Leinster Directory were arrested at Oliver
Bond's house in Bridge Street in Dublin. Papers confiscated there
corroborated the above return of men in County Kildare.
March 30
Camden,
the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, proclaimed the country in an attempt
to recover stolen arms and "disarm the Rebels".
April 3
General
Sir Ralph Abercrombie issued a notice from his headquarters in
Kildare which allowed ten days for arms to be handed in. If this
was not complied with, the troops would visit the localities at
free quarters.
Mid-Late April
United
Irish returns for Kildare stood at 11,900 men on 19th April. Troops
were now at free quarters particularly in the vicinity of Athy,
Ballitore and Monasterevin. Kilkea Castle, home of Thomas Reynolds
(the Government spy) was plundered, as was the estate of Thomas
Fitzgerald at Geraldine. Fitzgerald was arrested on 28th April.
Early May
The Triangles
appeared in Athy. Suspected United Irishmen were brutally flogged
particularly blacksmiths, carpenters and publicans. The system
of free quarters was extended through Kilcock, Celbridge and North
Kildare.
Thursday May 10th
Captain
Beevor arrived in Ballymore-Eustace with soldiers of the 9th Dragoons,
the Tyrone, Antrim and Armagh Militias, at freequarters.
Friday May 11th
£1,000
was offered for the arrest of Lord Edward Fitzgerald.
Wednesday May 16th
General
Sir Ralph Dundas reported to the Castle that - "The Head of the
Hydra is cut off - and the County of Kildare will, for a long
time, enjoy profound peace and quiet".
Friday May 18th
The militant
faction of the United Irish Directory proposed a concerted attack
on Dublin. The Kildaremen would march in three columns - the northern
column to join with the Meath men at Kilcock, the southern column
to join with the Wicklow forces and the centre column to march
to the aid of the Dublin men. The plan was adopted and the date
for the rising was set for Wednesday 23rd May.
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County
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