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TURNPIKE HILL, Kilcullen Sometime around 9 am on 24th May, the rebels, having earlier been victorious at Old Kilcullen, posted themselves at Turnpike Hill astride the Naas/Kilcullen road. On the left of the road rose the hill at their back, on the right, they dug in behind the high banks of the fields. This effectively cut off General Dundas’ retreat to Naas.
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County
Kildare
They numbered
almost 1,000 men, as opposed to around 30 soldiers and 100 yeomanry under the command of
General Dundas. The General sent two parties forward, with orders not to engage the enemy
but to draw the rebels down the hill. This strategic feint gave the victory to Dundas as
the concentrated fire decimated the rebels who descended the hill. They were routed by the
cavalry as they forded the Liffey at Athgarvan. Dundas reported; "The slaughter was
considerable for such an action – about 150 lay dead. No prisoners." The troops
suffered no losses.
