1798

"The pikes must be together at the rising of the moon"

The Rebellion 1798 (Éirí Amach 1798); also known as United Irishmen Rebellion (Éirí Amach na nÉireannach Aontaithe) was a major uprising against British rule in Ireland. It lasted from May to September 1798 The main organising force was the Society of United Irishmen, a republican revolutionary group influenced by the ideas of the American and French revolutions: originally formed by Presbytarian radicals angry at being shut out of power by the Anglican establishment, they were joined by many from the majority Catholic population.

Following some initial successes, particularly in County Wexford, the uprising was suppressed by government militia and yeomanry forces, reinforced by units of the British Army. It has been estimated  that the civilian and combatant death toll was between 10,000 and 50,000. A French expeditionary force landed in County Mayo in August in support of the rebels: despite victory at Castlebar, they were also eventually defeated. Thirty four of the key leaders and supporters of the rebellion were executed.The aftermath of the Rebellion led to the passing of the Acts of Union 1800, merging the Parliament of Ireland into the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

The Wearing of the Green

This song composed by John Keegan Casey first appeared around 1865 and was published in his 1866 collection of poems and songs, ‘A wreath of Shamrocks’. The air to the song is ‘The wearing of the green’. The ballad refers to the outbreak of the 1798 rebellion, as United Irish rebels convey the order to rise. The air of hope and optimism associated with the ultimately doomed rebellion was intended to provide inspiration for rebels preparing to take to the field in another ill-fated venture, the Fenian rebellion of 1867. The pikemen gather, but are defeated. Despite the loss, the listener is told that there are those who will "follow in their footsteps" to again revolt.

Tell me, tell me Sean O'Farrell, tell me why you hurry so,

Hush, a bhuachaill, hush and listen, and his cheeks were all aglow.

I bear orders from the captain, get you ready quick and soon,

For the pikes must be together at the rising of the moon.

‘Oh! tell me, Sean O'Farrell, where the gathering is to be?’

‘In the old spot by the river, quite well known to you and me.

One word more, for signal token whistle up the marching tune

With your pike upon your shoulder at the rising of the moon

Out from many a mud walled cabin eyes were watching through the night,

Many a manly heart was throbbing for the blessed warning light.

Murmurs passed along the valley, like the banshee's lonely croon,

And a thousand blades were flashing at the rising of the moon.

There beside the singing river, that dark mass of men was seen,

High above their shining weapons flew their own beloved green.

‘Death to every foe and traitor! Forward! strike the marching tune!

And hurrah! me boys for freedom 'tis the rising of the moon!’

Well they fought for dear old Ireland, and full bitter was their fate;

Oh! What glorious pride and sorrow fills the name of Ninety-Eight.

But, thank God, there still are beating strong young hearts in manhood’s bloom,

Who will follow in their footsteps at the rising of the moon.

The following article by Liam Lynch appeared in ‘The Kerryman’ on 23rd September 2017

Johnny O'Mahony from Castlequin, Over-The-Water, Cahirsiveen, is a familiar figure in the Valentia and wider area as he goes about his duties as a part-time postman. As is quite appropriate to this year's 150th Fenian Anniversary celebrations, Johnny has in his possession the end section of a fighting rebel weapon described as a 'Fenian Pike'.It was discovered in the wall of a field called The Lawn in his family farm in Castlequin. Johnny states that the owner of this pike (whose identity he cannot establish) fled to Australia after the Rising and prior to leaving hid the pike, not daring to be associated with it as it would have led to prosecution. This man returned home in 1917 and in time informed Johnny's father, Dave O'Mahony (who passed away in 1996), as to where the weapon was concealed. The instructions given were that the pike remnants were to be found so many paces from a palm tree under a flat stone up in a wall of The Lawn Field. Dave O'Mahony and his father John followed the instructions to successfully find the implement.