Robert Emmet's Insurrection

Above : Picture Of Thomas Addis Emmet, Older Brother Of Robert Emmet

In speaking of the Rebellion of 1798 mention has been made of Thomas Addis Emmet, one of the United Irishmen, who, arrested before the outbreak, escaped a capital sentence, and ended his days in exile. He had a younger brother, Robert, who in 1798 was a student of Trinity College, Dublin. Robert adopted with enthusiasm the French Revolutionary principles, and enunciated them so openly that he was expelled from the University and noted to the Castle authorities as a dangerous person.

Above : Painting Of Robert Emmet

Emmet felt that, after the Patrick Street explosion, he must act quickly if he were to act at all. The evening of Saturday, July 23rd, was fixed for the rising. About nine o’clock Emmet, with some of his trusty lieutenants and followed by about a hundred men, of whom many had pikes, but very few firearms, sallied out into Thomas Street. Their young leader, waving his sword, called on the people to follow him and strike a blow for liberty. Great numbers of persons were in the street, enjoying the fresh air of the summer evening. Most of them merely stared. Those who listened and followed were chiefly loungers and vagabonds, ready enough for plunder, but little suited for any enterprise attack 0f The honourable warfare. Emmet realised that to attempt an lead them to Castle was impossible, and he proposed to the crowd to reinforcement in Wicklow mountains, where they might await. But the city roughs had no mind to go to the Wicklow not go; they would not obey any orders. They murdered an unfortunate riding by; they dragged Chief him and his nephew.