An artist's representation of Willie
William Brock of Henry Street, Mountmellick, was aged eighteen when he was hanged on June 11th 1798. He was the son of a Silversmith and was betrayed by his own father. Like many men from the town, he joined the United Irishmen and was arrested with more than one hundred others from the area. He was sentenced to hang, along with ten others, for their part in the 1798 Rising. `Young Willie`, as he was known, was left to hang for over an hour. As he did not die immediately, when the Yeomen had to leave in a hurry, the Major in charge, (Leatham), ordered one of his men to shoot him. Willie Brock is buried in Graigue Cemetery with one of his comrades Daniel Dunne.
William Brock's final resting place
Graigue Cemetry, Mountmellick
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Theobald Wolfe Tone a
leader of the United Irishmen
Modern Irish Republicans trace their political origins to the movement of the United Irishmen of the 1790's. They took their inspiration from the French Revolution and fought for the breaking of political connection between Ireland & Britain, believing that only an independent Ireland could guarantee equality and prosperity for the Irish people.
Most of the leading figures of the United Irishmen were Presbyterians and Protestants and a key part of their programme was unity between Irish people of all religions in the cause of liberty. Their rebellion in 1798 was ruthlessly suppressed, but their ideas continued to inspire Irish nationalists for over a century and a half.
in Wolfe Tone Street, Mountmellick.
JACK TISDELL said:
ReplyDeleteWhat an awe inspiring story. Eleven brave, patriotic, selfless United Irishmen, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Irelands cause. How poorly some politicians, members of different Government Administrations in this State over recent decades compare when benchmarked against those eleven heroes.
Jack Tisdell
I completely concur with you Jack.
ReplyDeleteFor I often wonder whether how many of the citizens in this country actually have celtic genes, for there is so much complacency
in the population that am beginning to believe that it is all a myth.
I completely concur it was always the few brave citizens past and present be proud that you are one of them
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