The Battle of Ballymore-Eustace was one of the events in the
United Irish rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 ( ga, Éirí Amach 1798; Ulster-Scots: ''The Hurries'') was a major uprising against British rule in Ireland. The main organising force was the Society of United Irishmen, a republican revolutionary group influenced ...
. It took place on 24 May 1798 after the stationing of the 9th Dragoons, and members of the
Tyrone,
Antrim and
Armagh Militia
A militia () is generally an army or some other fighting organization of non-professional soldiers, citizens of a country, or subjects of a state, who may perform military service during a time of need, as opposed to a professional force of r ...
s at Ballymore in
County Kildare near the Kildare-Wicklow border on 10 May. The town had been recently garrisoned by almost 200 soldiers and militia who had been sent to repress sedition in the area. The troops had been dispersed in
billet
A billet is a living-quarters to which a soldier is assigned to sleep. Historically, a billet was a private dwelling that was required to accept the soldier.
Soldiers are generally billeted in barracks or garrisons when not on combat duty, alth ...
s among the populace as per counter-insurgency practice of "free-quarters" where responsibility for the provisioning and sheltering of militia was foisted onto the populace. During this time a quantity of arms were surrendered and letters of protection issued.
On 23 May 120 soldiers were recalled, leaving a garrison of around 80 men. At around 1 a.m. on 24 May, the rebel force of approx. 200 attacked the town. As in the attacks on
Naas
Naas ( ; ga, Nás na Ríogh or ) is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. In 2016, it had a population of 21,393, making it the second largest town in County Kildare after Newbridge.
History
The name of Naas has been recorded in th ...
and
Prosperous, the rebels sought to surprise and overwhelm the garrison by coordinated attacks before it could react and rally against them. The houses containing troops of the 9th Dragoons and the Tyrone Militia were to be attacked simultaneously.
However, the attack on garrison headquarters was miscarried due to lack of coordination and numbers so that the building became a rallying point for the Government troops. Captain Beevor was attacked in his own bedchamber by two rebels. Lieutenant Parkinson and some dragoons came to his aid and both rebels were slain. Other isolated billets were attacked but some units managed to cut themselves free and fight their way through the streets to the headquarters. A number of properties, including the Protestant church, were set on fire.
For two hours, the rebels attacked the strongpoint but without
artillery
Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during siege ...
, were unable to take the building and lost many men in the process. The momentum had by now slipped away from the rebels and they drew off their attack leaving behind around 50 dead but at a cost to the garrison of at least 12 dead and 5 wounded.
The battle led directly to the
Dunlavin Green executions, in which fears of a possible rebel attack on the garrison at nearby Dunlavin led to the
summary execution of rebel prisoners.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballymore-Eustace
Ballymore Eustace
Battles of the Irish Rebellion of 1798
History of County Kildare
History of County Wicklow