Irish Rebellion Pike Head

In Ireland at this time, a minority of Protestants loyal to the British crown ruled the mostly Catholic population. This ruling class included Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, who was born in Ireland and became MP for Trim in 1790. The French Revolution of 1789 inspired Irish liberals to hope for independence from English domination.

In 1793, Britain declared war on France, and Ireland became a potential battlefield for revolution or French invasion. In December 1796 only bad weather prevented 14,000 Frenchmen from landing in Bantry Bay.

The 1798 uprising’s moving force was the Society of United Irishmen (founded 1791). Its ultimate aim was to establish an Irish republic, to throw off British rule as exercised through Dublin Castle and a venal Irish parliament. However, the governing class saw the actions of the United Irishmen as treason, threatening to let France invade. They assembled 30,000 British Army soldiers and over 60,000 Irish loyalists to fight the rising.

Pikes were the weapon of choice for the mostly peasant rebels. The plain iron head was cheap and easy for village blacksmiths to make, quickly mastered by those used to pitchforks – and effective. It was primarily a thrusting weapon and its hook could be used to snare the bridle of an unwary cavalryman. If it needed to be hidden the head could soon be detached from the shaft, which was usually of ash, up to 12 feet in length.

The pike became closely associated with the 1798 rising. Charges by massed rebel pikemen were a favourite tactic. 10 June 1798 became known as ‘Pike Sunday’. The government first seized hidden pikes in Dublin in 1793 and some 70,000 were found in 1797.

Rebels scored a success at Oulart in County Wexford on 27 May but then fell back to Vinegar Hill. Surrounded by 20,000 troops under General Gerard Lake, they were annihilated on 21 June. Bloody episodes continued through June – July. On 22 August 1,100 French came ashore at Kilcummin Strand in County Mayo under General Humbert. Their failure to inspire a general uprising signalled the end of the rebellion. They surrendered at Ballinamuck on 8 September.

Retribution against the Irish by the British was both bloody and brutal. Several leaders were decapitated and their heads placed on public view. Up to 25,000 rebels and non-combatants died. In the short term the Irish parliament was ended by the 1800 Act of Union, effective from 1 January 1801. In the longer term 1798 would inspire successive generations of nationalists whilst reminding them that ‘England’s difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity.’