C n February 1793, the new s,ingle purpose. The Gaelic poet, Micheal.', French Republic found itself Og 0 Longain (Langan), whose family at war with Britain and some came from West , was scornful of neighbouring countries that his fellow Munster men for failing to join wanted the monarchy rest- shipping. By 1783, Tarbert had a battery of the fray, in the last verse of his poem ored in France. The eight 24-pounders constructed. In June "Maidin Luan Cincise" (translated as that had established the Republic, 1794, after Pakenham's survey, this f0llows~:- together with the American War of battery was replaced by two batteries each Independence, had inspired many Irish- having eight 24-pounders commanding Bad Cess to the Munster Men who did ; men to push for an independent the river. Six 6-pounders were also not answer our call to arms with a separate parliament. In November provided for landward defence. This Under a well trained army, we could 1791, the Society of United Irishmen was stronghold at Tarbert appears to be the strive gallantly at the enemy founded to strive to achieve this aim, and only permanent means of defence on the They left us weak with the strength of the with French military assistance if estuary until after 1808, when five further enemy around us required. The British authorities were well batteries were erected. Three of these But thanksfiom the heart to the Leinster aware of the Society's links with France sites were in County Clare at Kilcredaun men, for it was they who kindled the and of plans for a French invasion of Point, Doonaha and Kilkerin Point, one on fire.' Ireland. In April 1798, Major General Scattery Island in the middle of the James Duff of Limerick issued a estuary and one at Carrig Island, west of proclamation warning people that the Tarbert. It is possible that some of these French had plundered every country they permanent batteries replaced temporary Despite the disappointment voiced by the invaded and that anybody involved with earthwork structures, such as one sited on poet, it was espionage rather than lack of them would be put to death and their Foynes Island.5 leadership which defeated the rebellion in property destroyed. He stated that people If the various French expeditions that Limerick. The United Irishmen in County opposed to a French landing a year ago sailed to Ireland had chosen the sheltered Limerick appear to have been organised in were now less attached to the Govern- Shannon Estuary rather than more the east of the county by James Baggot, a ment, possibly through being seduced by exposed locations along the west coast, schoolmaster from Ballingany, and to the wicked men and bound by oaths.' British the whole story of the United Irish west by Captain Gerald Fitzgerald, brother military intelligence led them to believe rebellion, and indeed Irish history, may of the Knight of Glin and ex- that a French landing was more likely to have had quite a different outcome. officer. Both men were visited by Lord be made on the west coast of Ireland in Edward Fitzgerald when he secretly order to avjid the British fleet and to avail toured Limerick early in 1798. Baggot, of a body of disaffected Irishmen who despite being watched closely by Colonel would join them once they landed. Limerick has been largely ignored in 0 Del, managed to avoid capture. He was The Shannon estuary provided several studies of the United Irishmen and the described by the authorities as a "cunning harbours and landing places suitable for 1798 rebellion. While it certainly did fellow who was head of all which is carried landing troops and unloading artillery and not have an organised rebellion, as in out in this county and too cunning for 0 stores. The waterway known as "Tarbert Wexford, the level of outrages and Del." He was also described as "that rascal Roads," in particular, provided shelter by violence in 1798 led the authorities to Bagot [sic] who can neither be frightened means of Tarbert Island to the west and proclaim the County and Liberties in a nor bribed." north-west. was well aware of state of insurrection as early as March The presence of Captain Gerald this, and when the French failed to land at 28th, and by May 30th, martial law was Fitzgerald in West Limerick led the Bay in 1796, he advocated that the proclaimed in the city. Various reasons authorities to declare Glin "the centre of ships remaining in the bay should attempt have been offered for the failure of the sedition in the Co~nty."~In contrast, his a landing in the Shannon Estuary. In fact, United Irishmen to take root in Munster. brother John Bateman Fitzgerald, the a French force of over 4,000 men landing While the organisatioli tried to assimilate Knight of Glin, appeared to be less at Tarbert, or even Limerick, would have long-established agrarian and Catholic committed, if not opposed, to his brother's met with little resistance. Most of the local secret societies, such as the , it activities and a strong upholder of law and garrisons were already two days march laid heavy emphasis on the printed word. order In late December 1798, he committ- away on their way to Bantry to oppose the This meant that its most effective ed at least five men to the County anticipated French invasion there. The penetration was in the literate and When the Knight heard of the death of his British authorities were well aware of anglicised east coast. The main publishing friend, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, he their v~lnerability.~In April 1793, Lord houses were in and , and assembled his tenantry and incited them Pakenharn sailed downriver from Limerick United Irish strength was greatest in the to rebel. The parish priest and some locals to survey the estuary with a view to area stretching from Antrim to Wexford. reminded the people that a short time erecting fortification^.^ In February 1797, The weakness of the United Irishmen lay previously he had wanted them to fight shortly after the attempted landing at in their inability to penetrate significantly the French and now he wanted to fight the Bantry Bay, Pakenham sailed down the Irish-speaking areas. Counties which were English In fact, it was Gerald who convinc- estuary again, this time to review the predominantly Irish-speaking, such as ed his brother that it was the English, and fortification^.^ The only permanent Limerick, remained largely impervious to not the French, who were the enemy.1° fortification at this time was at Tarbert. As the new radicali~m.~ After 1798, Gerald continued to be early as 1781, Limerick merchants had This lack of organisation meant that a involved in United Irish activities. He petitioned to have the defences of the lot of the violence was more easily became a close friend of estuary improved in order to protect suppressed and it all seemed to lack a and he visited his house a week before the New Bridge, Limerick, detail from a painting attributed to William Turner de Lond, c.1820. Courtesy of the Knight of Glin.

1803 rising. He was also in constant except in noble and unselfish hearts. The to suppress the United Irishmen. The contact with Baggot and Irish informers were about the most number of people executed or transported in Dublin, even after Robert Emmet's wicked race of men the world ever saw. during the rebellion will never be known. arrest. After the failure of the rising in Whatever the faults of the United By early October 1798, there were ten Dublin, Gerald was reluctant to proceed Irishmen, they were at least generously documented executions of insurgents by with the rebellion in Limerick. This faithful to the cause they undertook and hanging in the Limerick area. The reluctance was seen as timidity by some of they proved their faith by their sufferings. following is a list of the ten men who died his fellow rebels. The authorities were Treason alone defeated them."l2 at the hands of the hangman15 - well aware of all the activities of the United Irishmen in Limerick and even had their letters intercepted. They saw the friction between Gerald and his comrades as an opportunity to make friends with Despite having a well organised network him, as they knew "he could reveal all that of informers, the military found it more was going on in the County, he being a difficult to infiltrate the various regiments shrewd and clever man." of militia, which for the first time were The fact that Gerald was not charged composed of a majority of Catholics. In with sedition, despite the authorities being June 1797, two members of the Louth aware of his activities, led to his being Militia were shot and several more suspected of collusion. There is no flogged or transported on charges of evidence to support this theory, and it is administering the Defenders Oath. Two more than likely that the authorities men, James O'NeilJ and Peter Murneen, continued to hope that he would co- were executed at Adare. It is obvious that operate with them. An English agent they were to be made an example to other named David Fitzgerald masqueraded as members of the militia, who were march- Gerald around this time, with the result ed from stations as far away as Ennis and that information could be collected and Tarbert to witness the execution.l3 confusion caused to the local rebels. In In the following year during the such a situation, Gerald was more valuable rebellion, two privates of the Kildare free than under arrest." Militia, Thomas Lyons and Peter Coghlan, The ease with which the authorities were also executed in Limerick. Lyons, a infiltrated the activities of the United Catholic, was marched to King's Island Irishmen was not peculiar to Limerick, or and shot by eight men of his own in fact to this period of history. In 1842, a regiment.14 The militia needed to be generation later, the damage inflicted by reminded that they were not above law informers still rankled the Limerick and order in their conduct and loyalty. Reporter newspaper. It gave vent to the The militia themselves, in conjunction feelings towards people who betrayed with the yeomanry and military, were their country in 1798 by stating: merciless in their treatment of the rebels. "Patriotism is too weak for avarice - love of Floggings, half-hangings and the use of Wolfe Tone in French uniform at money is more potent than love of country pitch-cap were some of the methods used Bantry Bay, 1796. Name From Charge Hung at

Stephen Dundon Not known Not known Not known John Hayes Bilboa Being a United Irishman. Not known Attempt on life of John Lloyd C.P. Matthew Kennedy Doon Taking arms at Ashroe Limerick Thomas Kennedy Doon Taking arms Doon Thomas McSwiney* Being sworn official of Defenders Limerick John Moore Not known Being rebel captain Limerick I I Thomas Mullally Not known Not known Not known .'; Patrick O'Neill Askeaton Swearing people to assist French Askeaton 'I William Ryan Stephens Caherconlish Taking arms & swearing people Caherconlish Patrick Wallis Kilfinane Plotting assassination of Mr. Oliver Kilfinane

? *Lenihan's History of Limerick refers to McSwiney, while contemporary documents list his name as Thomas McInerney. An interesting note is that on June 6th, 1798, a Michael McSwiney was sentenced to 600 lashes for being a United Irishmen and after 100 lashes he was taken down and had the remainder of his sentence remitted, promising to make some useful disclosures. A week later, Thomas McSwiney was hanged on the new bridge for being a sworn officer of the Defenders. Another man was acquitted on a i charge brought on the evidence of Michael McSwiney.

The people exacted their own retribution crossing here; the lantern hoops were of dozen for being too free in his on informers. In June 1798, two brothers, breaking; so I must wait till some kind commiseration. Such arbitrary and cruel Michael and Thomas Kennedy of Doon, friend drops off They nearly took up treatment as this was soon reported to were hung for taking arms. Thomas was (or occupied) all the little footpath, Colonel Vereker, who forthwith repaired convicted on the basis of evidence and the toes of some of them were to the New Bridge, where he reproached given by a George Fitzgerald. That July, touching it."I9 Captain Lidwell in strong terms of Fitzgerald was murdered in the mountains indignation for his tyranny, and sent him a near Bilboa.16 In the fall-out after the McElligott was reprieved, however, and message immediately after. A meeting execution of Patrick "Staker" Wallis in July released on bail of £2,000, which was later took place, and shots were exchanged 1798, at least six more people died. In reduced to £200.20 without effect. Col. Vereker then March 1800, Roger Sheedy, who captured The account of rebels hanging from challenged his opponent to a contest with the 65-year-old Wallis, was shot, together lamp-posts refers to the bridge linking the small sword, which was declined, and with his father, James, by a group of six Rutland Street and Quay Lane (Bridge the parties left the ground. This noble masked men. In November 1800, John Street), which was used a central location instance of heroism and humanity O'Donnell, Timothy McMahon and Denis in the city for public floggings and stamped a lasting impression on the minds Healy were hung for the murder of the executions. The unfortunate men who of his fellow-citizens." Sheedys. A fourth man named Dwyer was were hung from the lamp-posts were left In September 1798, Colonel Vereker also convicted of the murders but escaped suspended as if standing 'on the flagway, was in charge of the Limerick City Militia from Limerick Gaol. He was re-arrested in exposed to the public gaze, until through at Collooney, Co. . Despite having 1803, but his fate is unknown. Finally, a time their bodies dropped to the ground.21 inferior numbers, he is reputed to have man Ifamed Casey, who assisted in the When this bridge was being removed in diverted General Humbert's march to arrest of Wallis, was stoned to death about 1845 to make way for the new one, Sligo and into the trap set by General Lake two years later.17 dedicated in honour of Fr. Mathew, the at Ballinamuck. Other accounts attribute In addition to those executed, many contractor, Mr. Duggan, retained one of luck rather than valour to Vereker's more were flogged and transported. An the lamps from the old bridge as a expl0its.2~It was during the passing of the official record puts the number trans- memorial to those who died in Ninety- Act of Union in 1800 that Vereker won ported at forty in October 1798,18 but Eight. The Limerick Chronicle of March over the hearts of the . Despite contemporary newspaper accounts would 29th 1845 recalls "an occurrence on the being offered bribes and inducements, he indicate that the number was much site of painful and harrowing spectacles in opposed the Union and said. "Having higher. It was not only those who were '98. Several men were hung and many defended my country with my blood, there convicted who were treated harshly. Once flogged on that central and conspicuous is nothing that could tempt me to betray it arrested, prisoners were kept in dreadful site, for participation in treasonable with my vote."Z3 conditions. A contemporary account of life practices. One unhappy incident was The executions on the bridge were not as a political prisoner in Limerick Jail strikingly illustrative "of the gallant and confined to 1798. In April 1799, two men, is given by the Gaelic scholar and humane spirit of the late Lord Gort, Patrick and James Mangane, were schoolmaster, Richard Pierce McElligott. then Colonel Vereker, so honorably executed there for the murder of a James The account is in an extract from a letter distinguished as the Hero of Coloony. An Mangane near Shanagolden. At the same which he smuggled out of the jail by old peasant, amongst others, was ordered time, James Lacy, John Sullivan, Pat Kelly, pasting it to the bottom of a plate with a for execution, under sentence of martial John Cavanagh, John Kelly and Pat Kelly piece of potato. law, and his son vainly implored Cap. (Junior), son of John Kelly, all of Lidwell, of Jocelyn's Horse, who was to Ballingany, and convicted by court martial "What shall I suffer walking up and superintend the punishment, and then of robbing the house of a Mr. Carmody down this dismal place from light to commanded the guard, to spare his father, near Knockfierney [sic], were brought out light, with no cornflanion but a man, for whom he offered himself as a victim to for execution. They were informed at the who (three times flogged) lies dying in the executioner. This, of course, the foot of the gallows that in consequence of a corner a still breathing corpse; and officer had no power to entertain; but the youth of Pat Kelly (Junior) and being the legions of rats of all ages, which so annoyed was he at the continued supposed that he acted under the have forgotten the timidity of their solicitations of the man, and subsequently influence of his father, his sentence would species, and lord it here with here- at the comments of a country gentleman's be remitted to transportation and also that ditary sway: servant, that he ordered the latter to be the same mercy would be extended to "There were three happy fellows on tied up under the scaffold for a flogging, three more of them, but as they were all every lamp on the bridge, as I was and the poor man received a couple equally guilty, they should decide by lot REFERENCES 1. Clare Journal newspaper, April 16th 1798. 2. Paul M. Kerrigan: Castles and Fortifications in Ireland 1485-1945, Cobs Press, 1995. See also Paul M. Kerrigan: The Defences of Ireland 1793-1815,- Shannon Estuary, Old Limeric? Journal, French edition. I 3. The Ennis Chronicle newspaper, April., 1st 1793. .I 4. The Clare Journal newspaper, February 23rd 1797. 5. Paul M. Kerrigan: Castles and FodZfications, op. cit. 6. Kevin Whelan: The United Irishmen, , Radicalism and Rebellion, edited by David Dickson, Daire Keogh and Kevin Whelan, Lilliput Press. 7. Tom Donovan: Miched 0g0 Lon~ain~ Ballyguiltenane Rural Journal, No. 13, 1990-91 8. Dr. Richard Hayes: Some Notes on the United Irishmen and Limerick, North Munster Antiquarian Journal, 3,1942. 9. The Limerick Chronicle newspaper, December 29th 1798. 10. Rev. J.A. Gaughan: The Knights of Glin, Kingdom Books, 1978. 11. Dr. Richard Hayes: op. cit. 12. The Limerick Reporter newspaper, August 5th 1842. 13. Mainchin Seoighe: Staker Wallis: His Life and Times and Death, Litho Press, Midleton, 1995. 14. Maurice Lenihan: Limerick; Its History and Antiquities etc, reprint of 1866 edition, Mercier Press, 1991. 15. Dr. Richard Hayes: op. cit. 16. Maurice Lenihan: op. cit. 17. Mainchin Seoighe: op. cit. 18. Dr. Richard Hayes: op. cit. 19. John 0 Hart: Irish Pedigrees, of the Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, Lord Edward Fitzgerald by Duffy & Co., Dublin, 1892. National Gallery of Ireland. 20. Robert Herbert: Worthies of Thomond, second series, l944 which of them were to suffer. When the was aimed at capturing the city in support 21. 0 Hart: op. cit. lot having fallen on John Cavanagh and of Emmet's proposed rising in Dublin, but 22. Dr. Richard Hayes: The Last Invasion John Kelly, they were launched into on learning of preparations to oppose of Ireland, Gill & Macmillan, 1979. eternity with the two Mangane~.~~One them, they disper~ed.~~The fact that the 23. Peter Somerville Large: The Irish can only imagine the thoughts of the attack was made in the city caused much Country House: A Social History, young boy, Pat Kelly, being banished to a anxiety to local military a~thorities.~~ Sinclair-Stevenson, 1996. foreign land leaving his father behind, Apart from the destruction of the 24. The Clare Journal newspaper, April hanging from a lamp-post. revolutionary movement and the suppress- 9th 1799. In 1800, the executions continued. In ion of the people, an immediate result of 25. John Killen: The Decade of United addition to the three men executed for the the rising in 1798 was to increase pressure Irishmen: Contemporary Accounts murder of Patrick "Staker" Wallis's captor, for union between Ireland and Britain.29It 1791-1801, Diary of Charles Abbot Francis Hannon, , Noble is ironic that, with the passing of the Act of Lord Colchester July 1801-February Croker and Andrew Carroll were also Union, Ireland was more closely drawn to 1802, Blackstaff Press, 1997. sentenced to death that year. A visitor to Britain than ever before.30 Over a century 26. Dr. Richard Hayes: Some Notes of the Ireland in the latter half of 1801 remarked later, the poet W.B. Yeats still lamented United Irishmen, op. cit. that "the principal outrages during this the losses of '98 in his poem September 27. Samuel Lewis: A Topographical time were committed in Limeri~k."~~ 1913, unaware of another revolution which Dictionary of Ireland, S. Lewis Co., At the end of the eighteenth century, was about to happen and which would 1837. Limerick was a heavily garrisoned city and draw so much from the spirit of the United 28. Ruth Dudley Edwards: An Atlas of it was during the period of the rebellion Irish leaders and their ideals: Irish History, Metheun & Co. Ltd., that New Barracks, now Sarsfield 1973. Barracks, was built. Consequently there is 'Was it .... for this Edward Fitzgerald 29. T.W. Moody & F.X. Martin: The little record of rebel activity in the city died, Course of Im'sh History, Mercier Press, compared to the surrounding rural And Robed Emmet and Wolfe Tone, 1984. districts. One exception was an attempt to All that delirium of the brave 30. Oliver Knox: Rebels and Informers: capture the Castle of Limerick on January Romantic Ireland's dead and gone, Stirrings of Irish Independence, John 3rd 1803 by United Iri~hmen.~~The project It's with OZeary in the grave."31 Murray Publishers Ltd., 1997.