Mililtary Heritage Tours

Influenced by the winds of change caused by the American and French Revolutions and failed campaigns for parliamentary reform and Catholic relief, Ireland witnessed a wave of popular politicisation, which, in combination with an upsurge in sectarianism, resulted in a rebellion by the United Irishmen and their Catholic Defender allies.

This 1798 revolution happend in many centres in Ireland e.g. Counties Down, Kildare, Wexford and Mayo. Mayo is of major historical significance in this campaign not least because of the French landing near Killala and the rout of the British Garrison in Castlebar, known as 'The Races of Castlebar'.

The landings and the fall of Castlebar had a traumatic effect on the British Governent. Not only was this the only landing on what was then 'British' soil in modern history by a European enemy, but the losing of Castlebar (and the establishemnt of the Republic of Connaught by French General Humbert) put the reality of losing Ireland firmly in focus. The newly apppointed Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief of Ireland, General Cornwallis, who had surrendered at Yorktown to American Forces in 1781, was firmly focused and he and General Lake stopped the Franco/Irish force at Ballinamuck. The surrender of the French forces was accepted with generous terms however the Irish forces were slaughtered.

This incident led to the Act of Union in 1801 which forced Ireland into the UK. This union lasted 120 years. It ended in 1921 with the Anglo / Irish Treaty following the War of Independence.

Our tours cover Counties Down, Wexford and Mayo.

Please contact stating what element(s) of this fascinating Revolution you would like to visit.

Contact dbuckley@anu.ie