Irish Rebellion of 1798

Flashcards covering the key events, figures, and consequences of the 1798 Irish Rebellion.

Who was the King of England during the eighteenth century when Ireland was ruled?

George III

What law limited the power of the Irish parliament in the eighteenth century?

Poynings Law

Who did the Irish parliament represent in the eighteenth century?

Wealthy landowners known as the Protestant Ascendancy

To which church did all members of the Protestant Ascendancy belong?

The Church of Ireland

What religious groups made up the rest of the Irish population besides the Protestant Ascendancy?

Presbyterians and Catholics

What were Catholics subject to in Ireland during the eighteenth century?

Penal Laws

Name three restrictions placed on Catholics by the Penal Laws.

Catholics were not allowed to stand for parliament, vote, had to pay tax to Church of Ireland, could not buy land, and Catholic schools were banned.

What was the result of a campaign in parliament to remove Poynings Law?

The King gave in to their demands, and the Irish parliament was now free to pass legislation without consulting the King.

Who was Wolfe Tone?

A member of the Church of Ireland who was inspired by the French Revolution and believed that Catholics should be allowed to take part in politics.

What organization did Wolfe Tone found, and what were its aims?

The Society Of United Irishmen, which aimed to unite all religions, reduce English power in Ireland, and achieve this by peaceful means.

Why were the United Irishmen declared illegal?

Authorities discovered Tone had been in contact with a French spy.

Why did the French decide to help the United Irishmen?

The French saw this as an opportunity to weaken the British.

What happened when a French fleet led by General Hoche set sail for Ireland?

Bad weather meant that only fourteen ships arrived at Bantry Bay in Cork, and they could not land due to poor conditions and had to return home.

What actions did the British government take in response to the threat of rebellion?

The British government sent General Lake to Ireland to restore law and order, introduced the death penalty for members of secret societies like the United Irishmen, granted the army permission to search houses, and confiscated weapons by torturing people.

Describe the torture method known as 'Pitch Capping'.

Heating a metal bowl filled with tar until it was boiling hot and placing it on the prisoner's head until it hardened. The bowl was then ripped from the person’s head, taking skin, scalp, and hair with it.

What role did Lord Edward Fitzgerald play in the United Irishmen's planned rebellion?

He was the main organizer of the planned rebellion.

What happened to Lord Edward Fitzgerald?

His plans were betrayed by informers, he was shot during his arrest, and died of his wounds in prison.

Where did the rebellion of the United Irishmen take place?

Wexford, Ulster, and Connacht

Who led the rebels in Wexford?

Father John Murphy

What were the key weaknesses of the Wexford rebels despite their initial successes?

They had no military training or discipline, were poorly armed with pikes, and were no match for British cannons and muskets.

What was the outcome of the rebellion at Vinegar Hill?

The rebels made a last stand at Vinegar Hill but were defeated. Father John Murphy and Harvey were hung and then beheaded, and the remainder of the rebels were transported to Australia as criminals.

What sectarian violence occurred during the Wexford Rebellion?

Rebels attacked Protestants at Scullabogue, burning 126 men, women, and children in a barn, and 93 Protestant prisoners were murdered on Wexford Bridge.

Where was Wolfe Tone captured, and what happened to him?

He was captured at Lough Swilly in Donegal. He was sentenced to death for treason but committed suicide in his cell before he could be hung.

Name four reasons for the defeat of the United Irishmen's rebellion.

The British government infiltrated the United Irishmen, the rebellion suffered from a shortage of arms and ammunition, help from the French was insufficient, and poor weather prevented the French from landing at Bantry Bay.

What was the Act of Union, and why was it passed?

The Act Of Union abolished the Irish Parliament because the British did not believe the Irish could be trusted to rule themselves.

What impact did the 1798 Rebellion have on future Irish nationalism?

It influenced other rebellions, inspired constitutional nationalists, and increased sectarianism.