Battle of Tara Hill
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Tara Hill was fought on the evening of 26 May 1798 between British forces and Irish
rebels involved in the Irish Rebellion of 1798
, resulting in a heavy defeat for the rebels and the end of the rebellion in County Meath
.
, United Irishmen rebels in Meath began to assemble at the ancient hill of Tara
, chosen as much for its historic and cultural symbolism as for the panoramic view it afforded of the surrounding countryside. The initial mobilisations had gone well for the rebels, with a force of 4,000 rebels gathered at the camp by early morning. A successful attack on a party of Reay Fencibles, on their way to bolster the garrison at Dublin, netted the baggage of the entire regiment. This proved to be a pyrrhic victory
as when news of this humiliating loss reached the main body of the fencibles, they diverted course and made straight for Tara to avenge this loss.
reinforcements along the way, the combined British force of about 700 troops lost no time in forming up at the bottom of the hill to attack the rebels who had posted themselves behind defenses such as old walls and ditches. An attack up the hill was quickly launched and met strong resistance from the rebels but the superior firepower of the military combined with a well-executed bayonet charge drove the rebels from the hill, dispersing them with much slaughter.
The loss to the British was some 30 dead and more wounded, with about 400 rebel dead and many wounded. The battle was notable for participation of a number of women in the rebel forces with at least one, Molly Weston (who died fighting on horseback), in a leadership position. The defeat was a devastating blow to the momentum of the rebellion as it prevented the spread of the rebellion northwards from Kildare
.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
rebels involved in the Irish Rebellion of 1798
Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
, resulting in a heavy defeat for the rebels and the end of the rebellion in County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Background
Following the outbreak of the rebellion in neighbouring county KildareCounty Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, United Irishmen rebels in Meath began to assemble at the ancient hill of Tara
Hill of Tara
The Hill of Tara , located near the River Boyne, is an archaeological complex that runs between Navan and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland...
, chosen as much for its historic and cultural symbolism as for the panoramic view it afforded of the surrounding countryside. The initial mobilisations had gone well for the rebels, with a force of 4,000 rebels gathered at the camp by early morning. A successful attack on a party of Reay Fencibles, on their way to bolster the garrison at Dublin, netted the baggage of the entire regiment. This proved to be a pyrrhic victory
Pyrrhic victory
A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with such a devastating cost to the victor that it carries the implication that another such victory will ultimately cause defeat.-Origin:...
as when news of this humiliating loss reached the main body of the fencibles, they diverted course and made straight for Tara to avenge this loss.
Battle of Tara
Picking up yeomanryYeomanry
Yeomanry is a designation used by a number of units or sub-units of the British Territorial Army, descended from volunteer cavalry regiments. Today, Yeomanry units may serve in a variety of different military roles.-History:...
reinforcements along the way, the combined British force of about 700 troops lost no time in forming up at the bottom of the hill to attack the rebels who had posted themselves behind defenses such as old walls and ditches. An attack up the hill was quickly launched and met strong resistance from the rebels but the superior firepower of the military combined with a well-executed bayonet charge drove the rebels from the hill, dispersing them with much slaughter.
The loss to the British was some 30 dead and more wounded, with about 400 rebel dead and many wounded. The battle was notable for participation of a number of women in the rebel forces with at least one, Molly Weston (who died fighting on horseback), in a leadership position. The defeat was a devastating blow to the momentum of the rebellion as it prevented the spread of the rebellion northwards from Kildare
Kildare
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.