Wexford Rebellion
Encyclopedia
The Wexford Rebellion refers to the outbreak in County Wexford
, Ireland
in May 1798 of a United Irishmen rebellion against the English domination of Ireland. It was the most successful and most destructive of all the uprisings that occurred throughout Ireland
during the Irish Rebellion of 1798
, lasting from May 27, 1798 until about June 21, 1798. The Wexford Rebellion saw much success despite County Wexford
not being thought of as an immediate threat by the government because of the spontaneous risings that occurred both before and after the significant rebel victories in Oulart
, Enniscorthy
, and Wexford town
.
United Irishmen organisation had remained relatively intact during the pre-rebellion repression that saw much of the organisation in other counties severely weakened. However, in May 1798, just as the rebellion broke out in County Kildare, the authorities began to move against suspected rebels and arrested Anthony Perry
of Inch
, an ex-military officer and senior United Irishman. Breaking down under torture, Perry named a number United Irish leaders, including Bagenal Harvey, who were quickly rounded up. In the rising tension news of the rebellion and of a massacre in Dunlavin
swept through Wexford and on the night of 26 May, rebels mobilised throughout north county Wexford attacking military and loyalist targets for arms. Next morning they gathered at Oulart Hill and Ballyminaun Hill. At Ballyminaun the rebels were easily crushed but won a significant victory at Oulart Hill
led by Father John Murphy and others, annihilating a company of militia sent to destroy them. Next, the rebels moved to Enniscorthy and increased their numbers to about 6,000 men along the way. The rebels achieved victory in Enniscorthy on the 28 May and two days later, the rebels were able to take Wexford Town after Colonel Maxwell fled with his militia. The seizure of the county on 30 May closed the first phase of the Wexford Rebellion and increased the rebels numbers to 10,000 men.
an regime where civilian leadership took a central role. This “republic” decided to split up the rebels of Wexford; one group was to move north toward Dublin while the other was to move west toward New Ross
. The rebel group sent toward New Ross faced much opposition and suffered nearly 2,000 deaths.They attacked on the 5th of June and took most of the town. fierce street fighting commenced with huge causulties. Rebels retreat after counter attack while facing no ammunition. This group was practically dismantled after the Battle of New Ross
and gradually dwindled following the failed battle. After several small victories, the second rebel group was defeated at Arklow
which would have been a significant victory, but lost on 9 June due to a lack of ammunition. David Joyce was the commander of 4,000 strong.
, the man responsible for leading several rebel military groups, had taken about 90 suspected government loyalists to the Wexford Bridge where he proceeded to hold hurried trials after which most of the prisoners were executed and thrown into the harbor. General Lake took Vinegar Hill on June 21 and eventually pushed all the way into Wexford town where the republic was dismantled and rebels fled. Following the rebels, many of the rebellions significant leaders both politically and on the battlefield were executed. This included Father John Murphy, Bagenal Harvey
who was the rebel commander-in-chief, and Matthew Keogh who was the rebel governor of Wexford Town.
, public executions, and the burning of homes. However, throughout the rebellion, prominent rebels advocated that the rebellion was purely political and not an issue of religion. Although some massacres that occurred throughout the duration of the rebellion do suggest sectarian tensions as motives, the fact that the United Irishmen were both Protestant and Catholic
in addition to the “republic” formed in county Wexford suggests that this rebellion was indeed political. Primarily, the rebels fought for a reform of legislature and the redistribution of political power.
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...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in May 1798 of a United Irishmen rebellion against the English domination of Ireland. It was the most successful and most destructive of all the uprisings that occurred throughout Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
during 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...
, lasting from May 27, 1798 until about June 21, 1798. The Wexford Rebellion saw much success despite 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...
not being thought of as an immediate threat by the government because of the spontaneous risings that occurred both before and after the significant rebel victories in Oulart
Oulart
Oulart , is a small village in the southeastern corner of Ireland. It is situated in County Wexford just off the R741 regional road halfway between the towns of Gorey to the north and Wexford to the south.Oulart's population is 197....
, 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...
, and Wexford town
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...
.
First phase
The County WexfordCounty 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...
United Irishmen organisation had remained relatively intact during the pre-rebellion repression that saw much of the organisation in other counties severely weakened. However, in May 1798, just as the rebellion broke out in County Kildare, the authorities began to move against suspected rebels and arrested Anthony Perry
Anthony Perry
Anthony Perry , known as the "screeching general" was one of the most important leaders of the United Irish Wexford rebels during the 1798 rebellion.-Background:...
of Inch
Inch, County Wexford
Inch is located in County Wexford, in Ireland on the R772 road between Arklow and Gorey. In September 2007 Inch was bypassed, having formerly been on the N11 Dublin to Wexford road. There is a creamery here run by Glanbia....
, an ex-military officer and senior United Irishman. Breaking down under torture, Perry named a number United Irish leaders, including Bagenal Harvey, who were quickly rounded up. In the rising tension news of the rebellion and of a massacre in Dunlavin
Massacre of Dunlavin Green
The Massacre of Dunlavin Green refers to the summary execution of 36 suspected rebel prisoners by the British military shortly after the outbreak of the rebellion of 1798...
swept through Wexford and on the night of 26 May, rebels mobilised throughout north county Wexford attacking military and loyalist targets for arms. Next morning they gathered at Oulart Hill and Ballyminaun Hill. At Ballyminaun the rebels were easily crushed but won a significant victory at Oulart Hill
Battle of Oulart Hill
The Battle of Oulart Hill took place on 27 May 1798 when a rebel gathering of 1,000 annihilated a detachment of militia sent from Wexford town to stamp out the spreading rebellion in county Wexford.-Background:...
led by Father John Murphy and others, annihilating a company of militia sent to destroy them. Next, the rebels moved to Enniscorthy and increased their numbers to about 6,000 men along the way. The rebels achieved victory in Enniscorthy on the 28 May and two days later, the rebels were able to take Wexford Town after Colonel Maxwell fled with his militia. The seizure of the county on 30 May closed the first phase of the Wexford Rebellion and increased the rebels numbers to 10,000 men.
Second phase
The second phase of the rebellion occurred between June 1, 1798 and June 21, 1798. The citizens of county Wexford were able to establish a republicRepublic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
an regime where civilian leadership took a central role. This “republic” decided to split up the rebels of Wexford; one group was to move north toward Dublin while the other was to move west toward New Ross
New Ross
New Ross is a town located in southwest County Wexford, in the southeast of Ireland. In 2006 it had a population of 7,709 people, making it the third largest town in the county after Wexford and Enniscorthy.-History:...
. The rebel group sent toward New Ross faced much opposition and suffered nearly 2,000 deaths.They attacked on the 5th of June and took most of the town. fierce street fighting commenced with huge causulties. Rebels retreat after counter attack while facing no ammunition. This group was practically dismantled after the Battle of New Ross
Battle 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...
and gradually dwindled following the failed battle. After several small victories, the second rebel group was defeated at Arklow
Arklow
Arklow , also known as Inbhear Dé from the Avonmore river's older name Abhainn Dé, is a historic town located in County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland. Founded by the Vikings in the ninth century, Arklow was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the 1798 rebellion...
which would have been a significant victory, but lost on 9 June due to a lack of ammunition. David Joyce was the commander of 4,000 strong.
Final phase
The Wexford Rebels were finally defeated after General Lake launched several decisive offensive attacks to regain the county. As heavy rain poured on the county for the first time since the rebellion began, General Lake's men entered the county from five points: Duncannon, New Ross, Newtownbarry, Carnew and Arklow. By 20 June, the remaining rebels were pushed back to Vinegar Hill. When the rebels went to Wexford town for support, they found that Thomas DixonThomas Dixon
Thomas Dixon may refer to:* Thomas Dixon , Baltimore architect*Thomas Dixon * Thomas Dixon, Jr. , American minister and author* Thomas Hill Dixon , superintendent of convicts in Western Australia...
, the man responsible for leading several rebel military groups, had taken about 90 suspected government loyalists to the Wexford Bridge where he proceeded to hold hurried trials after which most of the prisoners were executed and thrown into the harbor. General Lake took Vinegar Hill on June 21 and eventually pushed all the way into Wexford town where the republic was dismantled and rebels fled. Following the rebels, many of the rebellions significant leaders both politically and on the battlefield were executed. This included Father John Murphy, Bagenal Harvey
Bagenal Harvey
Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey was a barrister and a commander of the United Irishmen in the Battle of New Ross during the 1798 Rebellion....
who was the rebel commander-in-chief, and Matthew Keogh who was the rebel governor of Wexford Town.
Causes
It is widely held that the Wexford Rebellion was fueled by sectarian tensions added to the unjustified government reign of terror which included pitchcappingPitchcapping
Pitchcapping refers to a form of torture devised by British forces in 18th century Ireland which was widely used against suspected rebels during the period of the 1798 Rebellion, most famously on Anthony Perry, one of the leaders of the Wexford Rebels....
, public executions, and the burning of homes. However, throughout the rebellion, prominent rebels advocated that the rebellion was purely political and not an issue of religion. Although some massacres that occurred throughout the duration of the rebellion do suggest sectarian tensions as motives, the fact that the United Irishmen were both Protestant and Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
in addition to the “republic” formed in county Wexford suggests that this rebellion was indeed political. Primarily, the rebels fought for a reform of legislature and the redistribution of political power.