Padraig Gearr Ó Mannin
Encyclopedia
Padraig Gearr Ó Mannin, United Irishman
, fl. 1798.
Ó Mannin was a native of Carnacregg, Menlough, who participated in the Irish Rebellion of 1798
. A party of several dozen men from Menlough
and its surrounding area assembled and marched towards Mayo
. However, after only a day, they were informed of the failure of the rebellion and were forced to return home. For several decades after there was bad blood between the United Irishmen of Mayo and Galway
, with the former taunting the Galwegians Where were the Galwaymen in the fight at Ballina?
Upon his return, Ó Mannin lived unobtrusively with his mother. However, a regiment of British foot soldiers were passing though Menlough, to participate in the Battle of Ballinamuck
. Ó Mannin was forced to hide in his garden to avert arrest.
Two straggler soldiers entered his house and demanded food and drink from his mother. Upon finishing their mean, one of them noticed some bacon hanging in the kitchen. The bally old bitch did not give us a feed of the bacon, said one, to which the other replied She did not! Kill her!
At the sound of her screams, Padraig Gearr leaped over the garden fence, and with his blackthorn stick he beat both soldiers till they were bleeding and prostrate on the floor. They recovered and made off.
Some days later, the regiment returned to Menlough and stopped outside Ó Mannin's house, and an officer called upon him to give an explanation for the incident.
The officer accepted his explanation, but said I'll put a sword in your hand and you must fight the pick man of my regiment in single combat. Ó Mannin replied No, but take out any two in your regiment with their swords and I'll fight them with my blackthorn and I will fight your whole regiment in pairs.
The officer was much impressed by Ó Mannin's bravado, and said so. You are a brave man. here is a half sovereign
, and drink to my health.
Ó Mannin lived on, and upon his death was buried at Killascobe, where his grave could be pointed out by his descendants as late as the 1940's. For some reason, it is known as the grave of Billy Ó Mannin, which was perhaps a nickname. The surname is generally now rendered as Mannion
United Irishman
The United Irishman title has been a very popular newspaper title in Ireland and a number of newspapers have been published under the title.*...
, fl. 1798.
Ó Mannin was a native of Carnacregg, Menlough, who participated in the Irish Rebellion of 1798
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...
. A party of several dozen men from Menlough
Menlough
See also Menlo, another settlement in County Galway sometimes spelt "Menlough".Menlough is a village in northeast County Galway in Ireland...
and its surrounding area assembled and marched towards Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
. However, after only a day, they were informed of the failure of the rebellion and were forced to return home. For several decades after there was bad blood between the United Irishmen of Mayo and Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
, with the former taunting the Galwegians Where were the Galwaymen in the fight at Ballina?
Upon his return, Ó Mannin lived unobtrusively with his mother. However, a regiment of British foot soldiers were passing though Menlough, to participate in the Battle of Ballinamuck
Battle of Ballinamuck
The Battle of Ballinamuck marked the defeat of the main force of the French incursion during the 1798 Rebellion in Ireland.- Background :The victory of General Humbert at Castlebar, despite gaining him c. 5,000 Irish recruits had not led to a renewed outbreak of the rebellion as hoped...
. Ó Mannin was forced to hide in his garden to avert arrest.
Two straggler soldiers entered his house and demanded food and drink from his mother. Upon finishing their mean, one of them noticed some bacon hanging in the kitchen. The bally old bitch did not give us a feed of the bacon, said one, to which the other replied She did not! Kill her!
At the sound of her screams, Padraig Gearr leaped over the garden fence, and with his blackthorn stick he beat both soldiers till they were bleeding and prostrate on the floor. They recovered and made off.
Some days later, the regiment returned to Menlough and stopped outside Ó Mannin's house, and an officer called upon him to give an explanation for the incident.
The officer accepted his explanation, but said I'll put a sword in your hand and you must fight the pick man of my regiment in single combat. Ó Mannin replied No, but take out any two in your regiment with their swords and I'll fight them with my blackthorn and I will fight your whole regiment in pairs.
The officer was much impressed by Ó Mannin's bravado, and said so. You are a brave man. here is a half sovereign
Sovereign
A sovereign is the supreme lawmaking authority within its jurisdiction.Sovereign may also refer to:*Monarch, the sovereign of a monarchy*Sovereign Bank, banking institution in the United States*Sovereign...
, and drink to my health.
Ó Mannin lived on, and upon his death was buried at Killascobe, where his grave could be pointed out by his descendants as late as the 1940's. For some reason, it is known as the grave of Billy Ó Mannin, which was perhaps a nickname. The surname is generally now rendered as Mannion
Mannion
Mannion may refer to:* Chief Jack Mannion, fictional Irish-American in the television show The District* Frank Mannion, Irish film producer* Jonathan Mannion , Photographer and Director...
See also
- SoghainSoghainThe Soghain were a people of ancient Ireland. Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh identified them as part of a larger group called the Cruithin, and stated of them:...
- Ó Mannin
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