The pike was the most popular weapon of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The reasons for its popularity were its ease and the cost of making it. Every town and village had a blacksmith. In 1797, the British government found and confiscated 70,000 pikes! Look at the image shown here of an engraving from May 1798 and answer the questions that follow. 1. Is this a primary or secondary source? Give reasons for your answer. 2. List three things that the United Irishmen are doing in this picture. 3. Apart from pikes, list two other weapons that are included in this image. 4. Look at the pikes being made in the picture. List two advantages and two disadvantages of using a pike during the 1798 Rebellion.
5. Using evidence fromthe image, do you think that the artist is a supporter of the Rebellion? Give reasons for your answer.
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To read more about the use of the pike in the 1798 rebellion, search using the following terms: Irish – Times – Fintan – O – Toole – Culture – A – History – of – Ireland – pike – 1798