The United Irishmen and Limerick, North Munster Antiquarian Journal, 3,1942

The United Irishmen and Limerick, North Munster Antiquarian Journal, 3,1942

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 Limerick, 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 French Revolution 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 Ireland 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-British Army 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. Wolfe Tone 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 Bantry 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 Defenders, 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 Belfast and Dublin, 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 Robert Emmet 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 Thomas Russell 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.

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