The Young Ireland Rebellion and Limerick

Examines the colourful and complex local dimensions to one of the signature events in Irish history. Limerick was the hometown of the Young Ireland leader William Smith O'Brien and the Young Ireland club there, the Sarsfield Club, was among the most active in the country. Using a range of primary documents, the book charts the myriad exciting events that occurred in Limerick during the year of the failed Young Ireland Rebellion. In the course of 1848 Limerick was the scene of both mass meetings between Old and Young Irelanders and an infamous riot between the two factions. Police spies bought pikes from city stores and frantic missives were sent from magistrates to Dublin Castle detailing illegal night-time drilling in west Limerick and rifle practice in the city. There was also the armed hold-up of the Limerick to Tralee mail coach, the 'Rising in Abbeyfeale', and the prolonged flight from authorities by the Young Irelander charged with fomenting rebellion in Limerick, Richard O'Gorman, a treacherous journey that took him from Ireland to Istanbul and finally to New York and a successful career as a lawyer.