The Annals of Ballitore

The events of the 1798 Rebellion in Ballitore village, its horrors and destruction, were recorded at first hand in "The Annals of Ballitore" , the personal journal of Mary Leadbeater. She recalls the effects of the terror, execution and suffering on the small village.

In keeping with Quaker philosophy Mary remained impartial throughout the trouble. The Quakers also refused military protection and would not celebrate the capture of rebels, continuing to take in the wounded and refugees from both sides. Mary recalls the dismay of the Ballitore community at the widespread suffering they witnessed:

"Now and then, a person was missed. These mysterious disappearances were horrible, and no certainty of fate of those victims was ever obtained"

On 25 th May , the revolt spread to Ballitore. After reports of a rising in Dublin, the soldiers had moved to Naas, and the quiet village was taken over by rebels.

"it was awful, but every scene was now awful, and we knew not what a day might bring forth"

When the soldiers, including loyal Orangemen from Tyrone, moved back into the village they terrorised innocent families, searched houses for firearms, looted and burned many residences. Public whippings and executions were common, the cries of the sufferers and their families an all too familiar sound. This once quiet village had been plunged into tumult, with families sleeping on floors to escape stray bullets.

"We saw several houses on fire northwards, and while standing gazing at them outside our door, bullets whizzed by our ears"

At one point ,the soldiers ordered a group of Quakers to be positioned at the front of their battle line, in case of bullets being fired. According to the author, the people were amazed at the sight of cannon in their little village. Houses were plundered of whiskey, food and weapons, and many people fled, either to take refuge from the fighting, or to join the rebels. The author recounts how one soldier burst into her home, held a musket to her chest and threatened to kill her.

Another terror-filled story is that of the capture, mocking and finally the execution of the local doctor, Dr Johnston. Timolin was attacked after Ballitore, and the area surrounding Crookstown and Narraghmore was left destroyed and desolate.

When the rebellion was finally crushed, peace was not restored at once, and unsettled times prevailed. Ballitore had been ravaged, and its Quaker community had suffered. Trees, homes and crops had all been destroyed and left neglected. The townspeople set about returning their village to its former peacefulness with determination and energy.