Ballymore

Rebellion Towns & Villages

Shortly after midnight on the 24th of May, a shot rang out from the grounds of St John’s Church of Ireland. This was the signal for the local United Irishmen to attack the town.

Ballymore

Captain Beevor and soldiers of the ninth dragoons, the Tyrone, Antrim and the Armagh militias arrived at Ballymore on the 10th of May at free – quarters. In the days following many arms were surrendered and protections issued. On the 23rd May, Beevor sent 120 soldiers away leaving a garrison force of around 40-50 men. The rebel signal for an attack was a shot to be fired from the churchyard. All 8 houses containing troops of the 9th dragoons and the Tyrone Militia were to be attacked simultaneously.

At around 1 o’clock in the morning of the 24th of May, the United Irish forces attacked the town. Captain Beevor was attacked in his own bedchamber. Lieutenant Parkinson and some dragoons came to his aid and both rebels were slain. Beaver’s house became the focus of the rebel attack which lasted for nearly two hours. However, 28 dragoons repulsed the rebel onslaught.

With the declaration of Martial Law, eight houses in Ballymore Eustace were subjected to the imposition of “Fee Quartering”. This was a system that forced home owners, normally those suspected of UI sympathies, to house military troops.

A number of houses which had been free-quartered by soldiers were attacked and set on fire by the rebels. In total, seven Dragoons were killed and three wounded. Four of the Tyrone Militia were also killed and two wounded. Beevor and twelve dragoons charged the rebels and routed them, Lieutenant Mc. Farland of the Tyrone Mitilia was killed. Captain Beevor’s servant and Mr. Henderson, a revenue officer were also killed by the rebels.

The rebels lost three captains and around one hundred men. The following morning Captain Beevor and his men retreated to Naas in accordance with General Dundas’ order.

Rebellion Towns & Villages