County Kildare
1798 History Trail

Saturday May 26th

(Battle on Hill of Tara; Rebellion breaks out in Wexford at Tincurry near Scarawalsh and the Harrow near Ferns)

Castletown 3.00 a.m.

Lady Louisa Connolly witnessed around 200 rebels "quietly" crossing the lawn at Castletown in Celbridge. They marched to Tara.

Rathangan 3.00 p.m.

A huge rebel force (5,000) led by Captain John Doorley of Lullymore, entered Rathangan. Spenser's (a yeoman) house was surrounded and attacked. Spenser and three others who were promised their lives were killed on surrendering. Some of the leaders like Martin Hinds and Edward Molloy were disaffected yeomen. One yeomanry lieutenant, Mr. Moore, barricaded himself and others in a Quaker house - he and six other Protestants were killed - in all 19 loyalists died and the rebels fortified the town.

Ballitore 26th

Abraham Shackleton, a Quaker from Ballitore, mediated with Colonel Campbell in Athy to allow the Rebels to surrender (unconditionally) in return for protection. Campbell agreed but their arms were to be surrendered by six o'clock. Some rebels wanted more talks and Campbell demanded six hostages and the arms to be surrendered by noon the next day. The rebels could not decide and Campbell's deadline passed.

Meath 6.00 p.m.

The rebels were routed at the Battle of Tara. Many of the stragglers crossed into Kildare to camp at Timahoe.

Athy 12.00 p.m.

Colonel Campbell marched his troops out of Athy leaving the town protected by Captain Rawson and the yeomanry.

Knockaulin - 26th

It is possible that the first overtures for peace and surrender were made by the rebels on Knockaulin Hill on Saturday.

Page 5