What is recorded here

General Blake and Gunner McGee died at Ballinamuck in 1798, and their graves still mark the battlefield in County Longford. A low mound of earth and stone projects from the field boundary beside an iron cross set in concrete. The metal plate praises their heroic sacrifice, while the small shape suggests two bodies buried in a hurry before the world could witness their courage.

Situated in the area of the 'Battlefield', scene of the battle of Ballinamuck which took place on the 8th September 1798 (see LF002-011001-). This is the S of the two graves marked as 'Soldiers Graves' on the OS 25-inch plan (surveyed 1911). When inspected, in 1976, the remains were found to comprise a low narrow subrectangular mound of earth and stone (L c. 4m; Wth. c.1m; H. 0.25m) projecting from the SE side of a NE-SW field boundary. Beside the mound is an iron cross set in a concrete base. A metal plate in the base bears the inscription: 'In commemoration of the heroic sacrifices of General Blake & Gunner McGee Executed on the Battlefield of Ballinamuck 1798 R.I.P.' (SMR file). Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 25 January 2013

Irish rebels and British forces fought at the Battle of Ballinamuck on 8 September 1798; the British victory ended significant rebel resistance in County Longford, marking a turning point in the suppression of the 1798 Rebellion.

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