u From the blood of every one of the martyrs of the liberty of Ireland, will spring, I hope, thousands to revenge his fall . . . What will the French government do in the present crisis? After all, their aid appears to be indispensible: for the Irish have no means but numbers and courage . . .
From Wolfe Tone’s diary, June 1798 Looking at the evidence
Read the source above and answer the following questions. 1. What does Wolfe Tone hope will happen when each martyr dies? 2. In your opinion, what kind of aid does Wolfe Tone hope the French will send? 3. What means does Wolfe Tone believe the Irish can offer? 4.
10 From your reading of the uprising in Connacht, do you think his belief was correct?
The death of Wolfe Tone
Unaware that Humbert had been defeated, another French expedition of 3,000 led by General Jean Hardy sailed into Lough Swilly, County Donegal with Wolfe Tone. They were met by a British fleet and after a long battle were defeated. Wolfe Tone was captured and charged with treason. He was found guilty and his request to be shot like a soldier was denied. He was to be hanged on 12 November but decided to cut his own throat that morning using the penknife he had for sharpening his quill. This injury did not kill him immediately and he died a week later on 19 November 1798. The leader of the 1798 uprising was dead and with his death came the end of the United Irishmen’s rebellion.