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1798 Rebellion in County Kildare
Thursday May 24th
The 1798 Rebellion began in Kildare (United Irish Prisoners shot in Dunlavin in Wicklow). Rebels in Kildare simultaneously attack Naas, Prosperous, Clane and Ballymore-Eustace.
Ballymore-Eustace 1.00 - 2.00 a.m.
At Ballymore-Eustace Captain Beevor had sent around 120 of his men away so
the garrison consisted of only 40 - 50 men of the 9th Dragoons and the Tyrone
Militia who were quartered in eight different houses. Approximately 800 rebels
attacked this force at Beevor's house for nearly two hours. Captain Beevor
broke them with a charge losing about 13 men. The rebels lost two captains
and 100 men.
Prosperous 2.00 a.m.
Prosperous was garrisoned by 35 of the City of Cork Militia under Captain Swayne
(31 privates, 2 sergeants and 1 drummer) and 22 of the Ancient Britons (1
lieutenant, 1 quartermaster and 20 privates). Upwards of 500 rebels attacked
the town at different points, concentrating on the Militia barrack in the
centre of town and Brooke's cotton mill. The militia were burned out, Swayne
was shot, piked and his body burned in a tar barrel by the rebels under Andrew
Farrell and Dr. John Esmond. Later Downings House was burned and a landlord's
agent, Stamers, was killed. A cotton manufacturer Mr. Brewer was also murdered.
Nearly 40 troops were killed
Naas 2.30 a.m.
Naas was attacked from three different directions by around 1,000 rebels under
the command of Michael Reynolds of Johnstown in his scarlet regimentals.
The town was protected by Lord Gosford and 150 Armagh Militia with two field
pieces; 59 cavalry of the Fourth Horse Dragoons and Ancient Britons and 16
of the North Naas Cavalry under Captain Neville. The battle lasted about
one hour and the rebels were repulsed with the loss of about 130 men, most
of whom were killed while attempting to escape. The government lost around
22 men, Reynolds escaped to the Wicklow Mountains and more than 800 pikes
and 20 firelocks were recovered.
Clane 2.00 - 3.00 a.m.
At Clane a large body of rebels (c. 300) attacked a company of Armagh Militia
under Captain Jephson but were beaten off with the help of some of the local
Clane yeoman cavalry.
3.00 - 3.15 a.m.
Their commander Richard Griffith received news of the attack at his home at
Millicent and rushed to the town to find the rebels routed, many being killed
and some houses burned. Six prisoners were taken and one was executed.
5.00 a.m.
A second rebel attack was effected with the help of some of the rebels from
Prosperous. Griffith and his men made a stand on the commons. With well directed
fire his men dispersed and routed the rebels. The fleeing attackers were
charged down by the 16 yeomen cavalry. Griffith decided the position was
untenable and retreated to Naas. Joined by Dr. Esmond (his lieutenant) he
learned of his treachery and on entering Naas he had Esmond arrested. The
five prisoners taken in the first attack were hanged in Naas.
Morning of 24th
Narraghmore
Nine loyalists under John Jefferies, a yeoman sergeant, repulsed an attack
by rebels under James Murphy on Narraghmore Courthouse. They then proceeded
to Jefferies home but were driven out when the rebels set it on fire. Jefferies
escaped but three others were killed and six taken prisoner by the rebels who
had rallied under Daniel Walsh.
Athy
Colonel Campbell of Athy ordered Major Montresor with a detachment of Suffolk
Fencibles to Narraghmore (through Glassealy) but they arrived too late. Campbell
marched to Mullaghmast.
Ballitore
The Suffolk Fencibles marched out of Ballitore. Nine men were left to secure
the baggage. Lieutenant Eadie and 23 privates of the Tyrone Militia marched
out of Ballitore to join their company at Calverstown. An attempted ambush
was thwarted and a party of rebels routed. Rebels begin to occupy the town.
Kildare Town 2.00 p.m.
General Wilford ordered his troops out of the town of Kildare, to go first
to Kilcullen and then to Naas. Their baggage and rebel arms that had been
recovered were lodged in the guard-house. He ordered Captain Winter and his
troops (small parties of the Suffolk Fencibles and the 9th Dragoons) out
of Monasterevin. Orders were left to burn the baggage etc but they ended
up in rebel hands.
c. 3.00 p..
The bell was sounded in Kildare Town to rouse the United Irishmen. By nightfall
there would be 2,000 rebels under Roger McGarry in the town.
Ballitore c. 3.00 p.m.
Rebels appeared on the bridge at Ballitore but were turned back by Dr. Johnson.
A little later around 300 rebels under Malachi Delaney (on a white horse)
possess the town. Some of the Suffolk Fencibles left to protect the baggage
were killed. Richard Yeates a young yeomanry lieutenant was killed. Ballitore
was fortified by the rebels.
Glassealy, Narraghmore and Red Gap Hill
Major Montrose had reached Glassealy but the rebels under Captain Paddy Dowling
and Terry Toole fled. Montresor made it to Narraghmore but was too late and
pushed on to Red Gap Hill. He was joined by Captain Rudd (30 men) and Lieutenant
Eadie. They were attacked by around 3,000 rebels. Seven of the Suffolk Fencibles
were killed and about 200 rebels. Eighteen of the Narraghmore yeomanry who
fought with the rebels were shot.
Eagle Hill (Rathangan) and Monasterevin
At Eagle Hill the house of Mr. Johnson Darragh was attacked by a party of rebels
but they were beaten off. Skirmishes near Monasterevin.
Rathangan
Throughout the day and into the evening rebels gathered near Rathangan and
some houses were attacked and burned. Captain Langton and the South Cork Militia
were ordered to Sallins but persuaded by Mr. Spenser to stay.
Castledermot - Late Evening
A large party of rebels left Ballitore and by the time they reached Castledermot
were approximately 1,200 strong. They were beaten by a small party of the
6th Regiment of Foot under Captain Mince, assisted by Sir Richard Butler's
troop of yeomen cavalry. Many rebels were killed and two taken prisoner were
hanged.
Kildare Town - Late Evening/Night
George Crawford (sergeant in Taylor's yeomanry) and his 14 year old granddaughter
were murdered by rebels. Mrs. Crawford barely escaped with her life
Kildare Town 11.00 p.m.
Limerick mail coach plundered in Kildare. A passenger, 17 year old Lieutenant
William Giffard of the 82nd Regiment was shot and piked
Published by Kildare County Council Written by Mario Corrigan .