Clonard, Carbury and Surrender
On Tuesday night the 9th July, the last remnants of the great Wexford/Wicklow
army left their camp at Whelp Rock and marched into County Kildare.
They joined Aylmers army on the 10th July and spent the night in the
camp at Timahoe, where it was decided to attack Clonard the following
morning. Some of the more militant of the Kildare men like John Doorly
of Lullymore, marched northwards into Meath in an attempt to rouse
the country.
At approximately 11 am on the morning of the 11th July, around 4,000
rebels attacked the fortified house at Leinster Bridge near Clonard.
Under the command of Lieutenant Tyrell, the garrison consisted of
a meagre force of about 40, including some of Tyrells family. A desperate
struggle, lasting nearly 6 hours, ended in defeat for the rebels.
The rebels had 160 killed and 60 wounded, whereas the loyalists had
2 killed and 3 wounded, one of whom died later. The rebels retreated
to Carbury where they spent the night.
The next morning, the 12th of July, this force crossed back into
Meath and camped at Knockderrig Hill. Here they were surprised and
routed by the military under Lieutenant Colonel Gough. He reported
that they were commanded at Knockderrig by "Colonel Aylmer, Captain
Dooley (Doorly??), Kerns, a priest, Captain Looby (sic) and Fitzgerald.
They returned to Timahoe shortly after and Aylmer, Luby and Fitzgerald
surrendered themselves at Sallins on Sunday 21st July; leaders of
the last major rebel army in the field until the arrival from France
of General Humbert in August.
Published by Kildare
County Council Written by Mario Corrigan.