William Michael Byrne facts for kids

William "Billy" Michael Byrne (1775-1798) was an important person in a group called the United Irishmen. He lived in Glen of the Downs, County Wicklow, Ireland. He played a big role in the years leading up to the 1798 Rebellion, which was a fight against the British government.

Billy Byrne's Early Life

Billy Byrne's home at Ballymanus House.

Billy Byrne was one of two sons born to Colclough Byrne and Mary Galway. His mother, Mary, was related to a famous person named James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond. Even though he was born in Drumquin, Billy spent most of his adult life at Park Hill in the Glen of the Downs. In late 1796, he joined a local defense group called the yeomanry. He served in the Newtown Mount Kennedy cavalry.

Becoming a Revolutionary Leader

Billy Byrne joined the Society of the United Irishmen in the spring of 1797. This group wanted to make Ireland an independent country. Later that year, he was chosen by the Leinster committee to help organize the Rathdown area.

As a representative for Rathdown, Billy was well-respected and very capable. With help from his Protestant friend, Thomas Miller, he worked to build up the United Irishmen in Rathdown. He managed to recruit about 2,000 men by late 1797.

In October 1797, Billy had to leave the yeomanry. This happened because he refused to promise loyalty to the British government. His activities started to get noticed by important officials in Dublin Castle. An informant said that Billy attended the first meeting of the United Irishmen's Wicklow county committee in December. This meeting was held at the home of his cousin, John Loftus.

At this meeting, Billy Byrne became the main representative for the Wicklow Committee. He also helped create connections between the Leinster committee and other United Irishmen groups in Cork and Munster. Around 1797, Billy married Rosanna Hoey, and they had a daughter named Mary.

Arrest and Time in Prison

Billy Byrne's work with the United Irishmen ended on March 12, 1798. He and fourteen other leaders were arrested at the house of Oliver Bond. They had been betrayed by Thomas Reynolds, who was a treasurer for the Kildare United Irishmen. Reynolds told the authorities that the group was about to finish their plans for a rebellion.

When Billy was arrested, he had important papers with him. The Attorney-General, Arthur Wolfe, said these papers were "very treasonable."

On July 4, Billy and four others faced serious charges in court. The main evidence against him came from Thomas Reynolds and his former friend, William Miller. The evidence was very strong, making it almost impossible for Billy to defend himself.

Billy's lawyer, John Philpot Curran, was a very famous defense lawyer. He tried to make Reynolds look bad, but it did not help.

Billy Byrne's Execution

Billy Byrne was found guilty of treason. He was executed on July 25, 1798, outside the Green Street Court House in Dublin.

In his final days, people tried to save Billy's life. They said he could be spared if he expressed regret for his actions. They also wanted him to blame Lord Edward Fitzgerald for leading him into trouble. Billy refused to do this. He faced his death with great courage and calmness. The Dublin Magazine wrote that Billy "met his fate with a degree of courage perhaps unequalled."

For helping the government, Thomas Reynolds was honored by Dublin Corporation. He received the freedom of the city on October 19, 1798. After this, he spent much of his life worried about being attacked.

Images for kids

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  Billy Byrne's home at Ballymanus House.