Battle of Ballymore-Eustace facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Ballymore-Eustace
Part of the Irish Rebellion
Date 24 May 1798 Location Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare Result Government/British victory
Belligerents
Irish Government Britain	United Irishmen
Commanders and leaders
Captain Beevor	Unknown
Strength
80	200
Casualties and losses
12 dead, 5 wounded	50 dead, unknown wounded

The Battle of Ballymore-Eustace was an important event during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. This rebellion was led by a group called the United Irishmen, who wanted to make Ireland an independent country. The battle happened on May 24, 1798, in a town called Ballymore-Eustace in County Kildare.

What Led to the Battle?

Ballymore-Eustace is a town near the border of Kildare and Wicklow. On May 10, 1798, about 200 soldiers and militia (part-time soldiers) were sent there. These troops included the 9th Dragoons and members of the Tyrone, Antrim, and Armagh Militias. Their job was to stop any rebellious activities in the area.

The soldiers were spread out and stayed in people's homes. This was a common practice where local people had to provide food and shelter for the troops. During this time, some people gave up their weapons, and others received special letters to show they were loyal.

The Attack Begins

On May 23, 1798, many soldiers were called away, leaving only about 80 men in Ballymore-Eustace. Early the next morning, around 1 a.m. on May 24, about 200 rebels attacked the town.

The rebels planned to surprise the soldiers. They wanted to attack the houses where the 9th Dragoons and Tyrone Militia were staying all at the same time. Their goal was to stop the soldiers from getting together and fighting back.

Fighting in the Town

However, the rebel attack on the main army headquarters didn't go as planned. There wasn't enough coordination or enough rebels at that spot. This allowed the headquarters building to become a safe place for the government troops to gather.

Captain Beevor, a leader of the soldiers, was attacked in his own room by two rebels. But Lieutenant Parkinson and some dragoons quickly came to help him, and the two rebels were killed. Other places where soldiers were staying were also attacked. But some groups of soldiers managed to escape and fight their way through the streets to the headquarters. During the fighting, several buildings, including the local Protestant church, were set on fire.

The Outcome

For two hours, the rebels tried to take the headquarters building. But they didn't have any artillery (large guns), so they couldn't break through the strong defenses. They lost many men during these attacks.

The rebels started to lose their fighting spirit. They eventually stopped their attack and left the town. They left behind about 50 dead rebels. The soldiers also suffered losses, with at least 12 dead and 5 wounded. The battle ended in a victory for the government and British forces.

What Happened Next?

The Battle of Ballymore-Eustace had a sad consequence nearby. Because of fears that rebels might attack the soldiers in Dunlavin, some rebel prisoners were quickly punished without a proper trial. This event is known as the Dunlavin Green executions.