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County Kildare History and Heritage

1798 Rebellion in County Kildare

February - April

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.

Published by Kildare County Council Written by Mario Corrigan .