Wexford Rebellion

The Wexford Rebellion was perhaps the most destructive yet successful of all the rebellions that occurred throughout Ireland during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It began on May 271798 and lasted until about June 211798. [cite web
last = Gahan
first = Daniel
title = The 1798 Rebellion in Wexford
url=http://multitext.ucc.ie/d/The_1798_Rebellion_in_Wexford] The Wexford Rebellion saw much success despite County Wexford not being thought of as an immediate threat by the government because of the spontaneous risings that occurred both before and after the significant rebel victories in Oulart, Enniscorthy, and Wexford town.

First phase

Rebel mobilisation began around May 241798, just after Anthony Perry of Inch was arrested. However, the plan of stopping of the mail coaches out of Dublin that was to signal other rebels to mobilize effectively failed with only the Munster coach being stopped at Naas. Regardless. On the 27 May, rebels gathered on Oulart Hill and won a significant battle against yeoman and militia through the leadership of Father John Murphy. Next, the rebels moved to Enniscorthy and increased their numbers to about 6,000 men along the way. The rebels achieved victory in Enniscorthy on the 28 May and two days later, the rebels were able to take Wexford Town after Colonel Maxwell fled with his militia. The seizure of the county on 30 May closed the first phase of the Wexford Rebellion and increased the rebels numbers to 10,000 men.

econd phase

The second phase of the rebellion occurred between June 11798 and June 211798. The citizens of county Wexford were able to establish a republican regime for the first and last time in Ireland until 1916 where civilian leadership took a central role. This “republic” decided to split up the rebels of Wexford; one group was to move north toward Dublin while the other was to move west toward New Ross. The rebel group sent toward New Ross faced much opposition and suffered nearly 2,000 deaths. This group was practically dismantled after the Battle of New Ross and gradually dwindled following the failed battled. After several small victories, the second rebel group was defeated at Arklow which would have been a significant victory, but lost on 9 June due to a lack of ammunition. [cite web
last = Gahan
first = Daniel
title = The 1798 Rebellion in Wexford
url=http://multitext.ucc.ie/d/The_1798_Rebellion_in_Wexford]

Final phase

The Wexford Rebels were finally defeated after General Lake launched several decisive offensive attacks to regain the county. As heavy rain poured on the county for the first time since the rebellion began, General Lake's men entered the county from five points: Duncannon, New Ross, Newtownbarry, Carnew and Arklow. By 20 June, the remaining rebels were pushed back to Vinegar Hill. When the rebels went to Wexford town for support, they found that Thomas Dixon, the man responsible for leading several rebel military groups, had taken about 90 suspected government loyalists to the Wexford Bridge where he proceeded to hold hurried trials after which most of the prisoners were executed and thrown into the harbor. General Lake took Vinegar Hill on June 211798 and eventually pushed all the way into Wexford town where the republic was dismantled and rebels fled. Following the rebels, many of the rebellions significant leaders both politically and on the battlefield were executed. This included Father John Murphy, Bagenal Harvey who was the rebel commander-in-chief, and Matthew Keogh who was the rebel governor of Wexford Town. [cite book |last= Bartlett |first= Thomas |title= |publisher= Four Courts Press |year= 2003 |isbn= 1-85182-430-8 ]

Causes

It is widely held that the Wexford Rebellion was fueled by sectarian tensions added to the unjustified government reign of terror which included pitchcapping, public executions, and the burning of homes. [cite book |last= Hay |first= Edward |title= History of Insurrection of Wexford |publisher= John Stockdale |year= 1803 ] However, throughout the rebellion, prominent rebels advocated that the rebellion was purely political and not an issue of religion. Although some massacres that occurred throughout the duration of the rebellion do suggest sectarian tensions as motives, the fact that the United Irishmen were both Protestant and Catholic in addition to the “republic” formed in county Wexford suggests that this rebellion was indeed political. Primarily, the rebels fought for a reform of legislature and the redistribution of political power.

ources

*cite book |last= Bartlett |first= Thomas |title= |publisher= Four Courts Press |year= 2003 |isbn= 1-85182-430-8
*cite book |last= Hay |first= Edward |title= History of Insurrection of Wexford |publisher= John Stockdale |year= 1803

References

See also

*History of County Wexford