Wolfe Tone & the 1798 Rebellion

1791 - 1798 — Inspired by the American and French revolutions, the United Irishmen and Theobald Wolfe Tone rose in 1798 for an independent, non-sectarian Irish republic.

Founded in Belfast in 1791, the Society of United Irishmen sought to unite 'Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter' in the common name of Irishman and to win an independent Irish republic. Its most famous figure, Theobald Wolfe Tone (1763–1798), a Dublin-born Protestant lawyer, is often called the father of Irish republicanism.

Inspired by the American and French revolutions, the United Irishmen sought French military help. In 1798 rebellion broke out, with major risings in Wexford, Antrim and Down, but it was crushed by government forces with great bloodshed. Tone was captured aboard a French naval expedition, tried, and — after being sentenced to death — died in Dublin on 19 November 1798. His ideals would inspire Irish nationalism for generations.