1798 Rebellion in County Kildare
Town/Village Index of the Rebellion of 1798
Narraghmore & the Battle of the Bog Road
Narraghmore Court House
Courtesy of Sean Sourke & Lullymore Heritage Park
On the morning of the 24th May, nine loyalists under John Jefferies,
a yeoman sergeant, repulsed a rebel attack on Narraghmore courthouse
led by Malachi Delaney and James Murphy the attack lasted two hours. Afraid
that their position was untenable, the loyalists proceeded
to Jefferies home but were driven out when the rebels set the house on fire.
Three loyalists were killed and six (including Jefferies), were taken prisoner
by the rebels who had rallied under Daniel Walsh. Lt. Eadie and the detachment
from Ballitore routed a party of rebels in the woods near the town where five
loyalists had been hanged. Later near Fontstown, troops under Major Montresor
routed the rebels who retreated to Ballitore. Jefferies was lodged in Ballitore
but escaped to Athy.
Pushing on towards Red Gap Hill, Montresor was joined by
Captain Rudd and Lt. Eadie. They were attacked by around 3,000 rebels.
Seven of the troops were killed and about 200 rebels.
In the early hours of the morning, Sunday 27th May, Colonel Campbell marched
from Athy to Ballitore. En route he destroyed the mansion of Colonel Keating
at Narraghmore. Keating, a liberal, was suspected to complicity with the
United Irishmen.
John Jefferies was murdered in Athy in June. The rebel leader Daniel Walsh
was later hanged by the military.
Published by Kildare County
Council , Written by Mario Corrigan .