Irish Rebellion of 1798

The Irish Rebellion of 1798 or 1798 rebellion as it is known locally, was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against the British establishment in Ireland. The United Irishmen, a republican revolutionary group influenced by the ideas of the French Revolution, were the main organizing force behind the rebellion.

Society of United Irishmen

The promise of reform inspired liberals to found the Society of the United Irishmen in 1791, openly putting forward its policies of democratic reform and Catholic emancipation, reforms that the Irish Parliament was incapable of granting and the British government just as unwilling to enforce. The declaration of war against France in 1793 following the execution of Louis XVI forced the Society underground and toward the French revolutionary model of agitation as opposed to the American example. The avowed intent of the United Irishmen and Theobald Wolfe Tone, the leader of the United Irishmen, was now to "break the connection with England" and the organisation spread throughout Ireland, helped by linking up with Catholic agrarian resistance groups, known as Defenders, and had at least 100,000 members by 1797.

Related Topics:
Society of the United Irishmen - Catholic emancipation - War against France - Louis XVI - Theobald Wolfe Tone

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A decision was made to seek military help from the French revolutionary government,at the time at war with Britain and to postpone the rising until French troops landed in Ireland. In December 1796 a force of 15,000 French troops under General Hoche eluded the Royal Navy and arrived off the coast of Ireland at Bantry Bay but unremitting storms intervened to prevent invasion.

Related Topics:
French revolutionary government - At war - General Hoche

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