battlefield

Site of the Battle of Ballinamuck, 1798, having a collection of soldiers’ grave markers/memorial monuments with inscriptions in Gaelic and/or English. Wrought-iron cross over one grave marker/memorial with commemorative marble plaque to base. Located to the east/southeast of Ballinamuck. Site now under pasture.

The Battle of Ballinamuck was fought in 1798 between Irish rebel forces under Michael Dwyer and British troops led by Sir Ralph Abercromby. The British victory effectively ended the Irish Rebellion of 1798 in the region, hastening the collapse of the uprising against British rule.

The Battle of Ballinamuck (8th of September 1798) is an integral element of the history of Ireland. It was here that the main force of the French army, under General Humbert, and a force of c. 1000 Irish rebels made their final stand against a force of c. 14,000 British soldiers under the command of General Lake. After a short battle, the French expedition force surrendered and 96 French officers and 748 men were taken prisoner and later repatriated. The Irish rebels under the command of Colonel Teeling, an Irish officer in the French army, continued fighting with the loss of c. 500 rebels. Many of the Irish rebels that escaped the battlefield were later hunted down and executed, including Matthew Tone, brother of Wolfe Tone. Many were hanged and buried at Bully’s Acre, Ballinalee (13304010). Colonel Teeling was hanged at Arbor Hill, Dublin. The collection of simple grave marker’s/memorials at Ballinamuck commemorates the actions of the Irish rebels during the battle, including the exploits of Sergeant ‘Gunner’ McGee, Sergeant Casey and General Blake. This poignant location marks the site of one of the most important episodes in the history of County Longford.