This section is dedicated to the revolutionary uprisings of 1798 and 1803—two pivotal moments in the struggle for Irish independence. Led by the United Irishmen and figures such as Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet, these rebellions were inspired by the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Though ultimately unsuccessful, they marked the beginning of a radical republican tradition that would echo through the centuries. Here, we collect documents, writings, and reflections that shed light on the causes, events, and legacy of these early rebellions.
Thanks to Jim Fitzpatrick for donating the cover artwork for this section.
Memoirs
Pre 1960s
1960s
1970s
1980s
 Ballinamuck 1798 Commemorative Booklet (1983) |  Wolfe Tone and the Irish Nation by C. Desmond Greaves (1989) |  Westmeath 1798 (1987) |
1990s
2000s
Misc
 Wolfe Tone Speech from Dock |  1798 an’ a’ that |  The Battle of Baillinamuck |
 The Rising of 1798 and What it Means (1998) |  Dublin 98 Programme (1998) |
The 1798 Rebellion Papers
This document is a transcription of the valuable (1798) Rebellion Papers, held in the National Archives of Ireland. These papers, which were initially held at Dublin Castle, are amassed from various lists and correspondence from 1790 to 1808. They include many courts-martial records for much of the country (1798-1801), prisoner lists, petitions and a large quantity of literature from concerned loyalists, magistrates and landowners, from across Ireland, to the Chief Secretary’s Office. The collection is a valuable resource for historians and enthusiasts of the period, with much 1798 material destroyed during the Public Records Office explosion in 1922.
This is the first carton from a total of 67, giving a rough transcription of various correspondence between imprisoned United Irishmen and the Chief Secretary’s Office; a 1796 arrest warrant for Samuel Neilson and the Book of Suspects, which was an intelligence reference point on disaffected persons from across Britain, Ireland and on the continent.
The transcriptions, carried out by Colum Ó Ruairc of the 1798 Rebellion Casualty Database, contain reference footnotes to aid the reader about certain individuals, place-names and events during this turbulent period of Irish history.
(1) Donated by Colum Ó Ruairc
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