Irish Rebellion of 1798

Irish Rebellion of 1798

The Irish Rebellion of 1798 was an uprising against British rule in Ireland lasting from May to September 1798. The rebellion was led by the Society of United Irishmen, a revolutionary group influenced by the ideals of the American Revolution and the French Revolution.

Background

The late 18th century was a period of significant political and social change in Europe and America. The American War of Independence and the French Revolution inspired many in Ireland to seek similar reforms. The Society of United Irishmen was founded in 1791 by Theobald Wolfe Tone and others, aiming to unite Catholics, Protestants, and Dissenters in the cause of Irish independence.

Causes

The main causes of the rebellion included widespread discontent with British rule, religious discrimination against Catholics and Presbyterians, and the influence of revolutionary ideas from abroad. The Penal Laws had severely restricted the rights of Catholics, who made up the majority of the population.

The Rebellion

The rebellion began on 24 May 1798, with uprisings in counties Kildare, Meath, and Wexford. The rebels, poorly armed and organized, faced the well-equipped British forces. Despite initial successes, such as the capture of Enniscorthy and Wexford, the rebellion was ultimately suppressed.

Key Battles

• Battle of Vinegar Hill
• Battle of Arklow
• Battle of New Ross

Aftermath

The rebellion was crushed by British forces, and thousands of rebels were killed. The defeat led to the Act of Union 1800, which merged the Kingdom of Ireland and the Kingdom of Great Britain into the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Legacy

The rebellion of 1798 is remembered as a significant event in Irish history, symbolizing the struggle for independence and the desire for a united Irish nation. It inspired future generations of Irish nationalists.

See also

• Irish nationalism
• History of Ireland (1691–1801)
• List of Irish uprisings

References

• Bartlett, Thomas. Ireland: A History. Cambridge University Press, 2010.
• Elliott, Marianne. Wolfe Tone: Prophet of Irish Independence. Yale University Press, 1989.

External links

• BBC History: The 1798 Irish Rebellion
• National Archives: The 1798 Irish Rebellion

Irish Rebellion of 1798 gallery

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  Vinhill
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  Portrait of Theobald Wolf Tone from Catholic University of Leuven
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  A new and complete Map of the kingdom of Ireland, drawn from all the surveys and improvements which have hitherto been made
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  United Irishmen
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  Irish Invasion Gillray
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  Pikeman, Wexford
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  Battle of Oulart Hill
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  Battle of Ballynahinch by Thomas Robinson
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  Castlebar Races WynneC
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  Warrens Action 1798 Ireland