The rebellion began in May 1798 in Kildare, however it soon spread to Meath, Wicklow and Wexford. In March 1798, sixteen of the leaders of the United Irishmen were arrested in Dublin . In May 1798, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, one of the leaders, was wounded and died. Many of the other important leaders of the United Irishmen were also captured.
Weapons
Piking of prisoners by rebels on Wexford bridge, 20 June 1798
Piking of prisoners by rebels on Wexford bridge, 20 June 1798, by George Cruikshank; from William Hamilton Maxwell’s History of the Irish Rebellion in 1798
Courtesy of the National Library of IrelandPiking of prisoners by rebels on Wexford bridge, 20 June 1798
Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland
Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland
Piking of prisoners by rebels on Wexford bridge, 20 June 1798
Piking of prisoners by rebels on Wexford bridge, 20 June 1798, by George Cruikshank; from William Hamilton Maxwell’s History of the Irish Rebellion in 1798
Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland
The main weapon of the rebels of 1798 was a long stick with a metal top called the pike. It was sharp and could cut the reins of horses. The pike was quite useful against cavalry but it was not as good against firearms.
A 1798 Rebel being Whipped
An image of a 1798 rebel being whipped.
Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.A 1798 Rebel being Whipped
Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.
Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.
A 1798 Rebel being Whipped
An image of a 1798 rebel being whipped.
Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.The soldiers fighting against the rebels had guns. These were more powerful than the pikes used by most of the rebel forces. Many of the guns had a bayonet which could be attached.