James Corcoran
Encyclopedia
James Corcoran was an Irish rebel who fought during the rebellion of 1798
and was the leader of the last rebel guerrilla band to be defeated in the years following the suppression of the rebellion.
. Following the collapse of the rebellion, he and a group of survivors established a base in Killoughrim Woods, north county Wexford
from where they launched raids in the area and into county Carlow
. In August 1801, an upsurge in Corcoran's activities saw him and his men being declared "dangerous in case of invasion" by Dublin Castle
and consequently, a force of 200 soldiers was sent to find and destroy the group. However, they met with little success as the populace shielded them from the military.
Corcoran's men were distinguished by their willingness to allow deserters from the military in their ranks and actively sought to subvert soldiers billeted among the populace or at least rob them of their arms. Their fearlessness was demonstrated in an incident near Mount Leinster
in June 1802 when they turned to attack a number of pursuing Newtownbarry
yeomen who were defeated and soon under pursuit themselves.
The defeat of Robert Emmet's
rising in July 1803, saw renewed British intent to wipe out all remaining rebel activity in Ireland and new campaign was launched against Corcoran. This time account was taken of the fact that Corcoran's men enjoyed support from the population in areas where they operated and also that their permanent bases were in remote localities. Consequently, arrests and severe penalties were handed out to those suspected of harbouring rebels, and the building of military roads and barrack were planned to cover the area between Mount Leinster and the Blackstair mountains.
in December 1803 left Corcoran and his men as the only rebel faction still active in Ireland as 1804 began. The ongoing military offensive by now had forced Corcoran to relocate to south Kilkenny
from where they continued operations and incensed the government by targeting their mail coaches. A reward of £500 was put on Corcoran's head and the pressure soon forced him to split his group into smaller factions and return to his old base at Killaughrim woods outside Enniscorthy
. The end finally came in February 1804 when the reward prompted an informer
to betray the location of Corcoran and he and his remaining comrades were surrounded by a party of yeomen. After fierce resistance all of the unit were killed or captured, Corocran dying of his wounds shortly after the fighting. His body and that of his comrades were brought to Wexford
where they were hung outside the town gaol and left on display for a time.
Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
and was the leader of the last rebel guerrilla band to be defeated in the years following the suppression of the rebellion.
Rebel activities
Corcoran played an active part in the rebellion and led a party of rebels at the battle of New RossBattle of New Ross (1798)
The Battle of New Ross took place in County Wexford in south-eastern Ireland, during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It was fought between the Irish Republican insurgents called the United Irishmen and British Crown forces composed of regular soldiers, militia and yeomanry...
. Following the collapse of the rebellion, he and a group of survivors established a base in Killoughrim Woods, north county Wexford
County Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
from where they launched raids in the area and into county Carlow
County Carlow
County Carlow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Carlow, which lies on the River Barrow. Carlow County Council is the local authority for the county...
. In August 1801, an upsurge in Corcoran's activities saw him and his men being declared "dangerous in case of invasion" by Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland...
and consequently, a force of 200 soldiers was sent to find and destroy the group. However, they met with little success as the populace shielded them from the military.
Corcoran's men were distinguished by their willingness to allow deserters from the military in their ranks and actively sought to subvert soldiers billeted among the populace or at least rob them of their arms. Their fearlessness was demonstrated in an incident near Mount Leinster
Mount Leinster
At 796 metres Mount Leinster is the fifth highest mountain after Lugnaquilla 925m, Mullaghcleevaun 849m, Tonelegee 817m, and Cloghernagh 800m, in the province of Leinster, Ireland. It is the highest of the Blackstairs Mountains at 796 metres...
in June 1802 when they turned to attack a number of pursuing Newtownbarry
Bunclody
Bunclody is a small town located on the River Slaney, on the border between counties Wexford and Carlow, Ireland. The R746 regional road intersects the N80 in the centre of the town. It is a picturesque town near the foot of Mount Leinster. Most of the town is situated in County Wexford...
yeomen who were defeated and soon under pursuit themselves.
The defeat of Robert Emmet's
Robert Emmet
Robert Emmet was an Irish nationalist and Republican, orator and rebel leader born in Dublin, Ireland...
rising in July 1803, saw renewed British intent to wipe out all remaining rebel activity in Ireland and new campaign was launched against Corcoran. This time account was taken of the fact that Corcoran's men enjoyed support from the population in areas where they operated and also that their permanent bases were in remote localities. Consequently, arrests and severe penalties were handed out to those suspected of harbouring rebels, and the building of military roads and barrack were planned to cover the area between Mount Leinster and the Blackstair mountains.
Defeat and death
The surrender of Michael DwyerMichael Dwyer
Michael Dwyer was a Society of the United Irishmen leader in the 1798 rebellion. He later fought a guerilla campaign against the British Army in the Wicklow Mountains from 1798-1803.-Early life:...
in December 1803 left Corcoran and his men as the only rebel faction still active in Ireland as 1804 began. The ongoing military offensive by now had forced Corcoran to relocate to south Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
from where they continued operations and incensed the government by targeting their mail coaches. A reward of £500 was put on Corcoran's head and the pressure soon forced him to split his group into smaller factions and return to his old base at Killaughrim woods outside Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
. The end finally came in February 1804 when the reward prompted an informer
Informant
An informant is a person who provides privileged information about a person or organization to an agency. The term is usually used within the law enforcement world, where they are officially known as confidential or criminal informants , and can often refer pejoratively to the supply of information...
to betray the location of Corcoran and he and his remaining comrades were surrounded by a party of yeomen. After fierce resistance all of the unit were killed or captured, Corocran dying of his wounds shortly after the fighting. His body and that of his comrades were brought to Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
where they were hung outside the town gaol and left on display for a time.
Sources
- Ruan O'Donnell - "The Rebellion in Wicklow 1798" (1998) ISBN 0-7165-2659-X
- Ruan O'Donnell - "Aftermath: Post-Rebellion Insurgency in Wicklow, 1799-1803" (2000) ISBN 0-7165-2638-7