Veteran Wexford republican and
trade union activist Mick O' Leary laid a wreath on the night while local human
rights campaigner Ger Barron spoke of the historical importance of the Battle
of New Ross and the initial rebel victory at Three Bullet Gate.
At dawn on the 5th of June 1798
Irish rebels, who had advanced from their camp on Carrigbyrne hill, engaged the
crown forces just outside of New Ross town.
The bloodiest battle of the rising had began. The British, knowing the rebels were
advancing south following the capture of Wexford town, had dug in and the 2000
strong garrison had fortified the town.
The rebels sent Matt Furlong
under the flag of truce to attempt to negotiate the surrender of the town. As he approached the British lines, Furlong
was shot down by the defenders. This
infuriated the rebel army who were now determined to seize the town by force.
John Kelly from Killanne led an
group of 500 rebels who attacked Three Bullet Gate, driving a herd of cattle in
front of them in an effort to scatter the crown defenders. The strategy worked and the gate fell to Kelly's
men, who pushed on into the town. Two
other columns attacked Priory Gate and Market Gate.
The rebels swept into the town
and drove the crown forces back seizing two thirds of New Ross before an
extreme shortage of gunpowder and ammunition slowed their advance. This gave the British the chance to regroup
and lead a counterattack. Before noon
the exhausted rebels were forced to withdraw from the town. The battle was over and lost. Up to 3000 rebels and 200 of the garrison had
been killed during the fighting.
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