Despite being highly organised by the United Irishmen, Athy
failed to rise in 1798. Men had gathered near the town but in insufficient
numbers to attack the garrison, Athy being the second strongest in the
county. The commander, Colonel Colin Campbell had a corps of yeoman infantry
under his command as well as regular troops. Strong action by the military
prior to the Rebellion, had subdued the area around Athy and, significantly,
the messenger sent to Campbell, to order him to withdraw to Naas, was killed
by the Rebels.
O'Kelly from Kilcoo near Athy. Author of General History
of the Rebellion of 1798,
in which rebellion he was a participant.
Captain Erskine and the 9th Dragoons who died at the Battle of Old Kilcullen
on the 24th of May, were part of Campbells force. Campbell was responsible
for recovering the villages of Narraghmore and Ballitore from the rebels, though
the area was to remain disturbed for most of the year. The bulk of the rebels
from Ballitore surrendered to Campbell at Ballindrum near the Moat of Ardscull
on Wednesday the 30th May. On the 2nd June the troops from Athy defeated a
large party of rebels in the bogs near Cloney, killing 100 of them with no
loss to the troops.
Prior to the rebellion Athy had been a centre of military repression, especially
with the operation of the "Triangles" by Captain James Rawson in an effort
to procure information against the United Irishmen. During the rebellion,
the town became a loyalist haven, as many loyalists from the surrounding
areas took refuge in the town.
Published by Kildare County Council , Written by Mario Corrigan .