The United Irishmen

Founding: In 1791, Theobold Wolfe Tone published a pamphlet called “An Argument on Behalf of Catholics” that argued that Catholics should be treated as equal to Protestants. A meeting in Befast that year founded the Society of United Irishmen. Other founding members included Thomas Russell. Soon a Dublin branch was founded and oter branches appeared around the country. They published their own newspaper “The Northern Star” and aimed for a peaceful reform rather than a violent revolution

Britain declare war on France: The Britian declared war on France in early 1793, fearing that the Irish would be inspired and start a revolution. The British government also decided to abolish most of the Penal Laws allowing Catholics freedom of worship and the ability to vote. Wolfe Tone fled o USA and the government banned the United Irishmen.

Wofle Tone travels to France: in search of mililtary support. A French fleet sent 15000 sailed to Ireland. Harsh weathers ensured that only 14 ships landed in Bantry Bay. After several days of trying to land their ships, they gave up and returned to France.

The near miss of the French invasion frightened the horrified the governments of Londond and Dublin and immeditely took steps to destroy the United Nations. In late 1796, Lake General sent an army to Ulster, going through towns and demanidng any weapons or information. THey burned houses, flogged, punished and tortured people. Eg. half hangings and pich caps all through Ulster. The Irish responede by setting up a militia of loyal Catholics and the Orange Country encouraged unity between Anlicans and Presbyterians against Catholics.