At the Rising of the Moon: The Legacy of the United Irishmen

Each year, the month of June marks the anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion, which is generally marked as the first blow struck against Britain for an Irish nation. The rebellion, which was led by the United Irishmen and Theobald Wolfe Tone, marks an important point in Irish history, where the forces for an Irish republic were first forged against the backdrop of an oppressive aristocratic British Regime. The Rebellion was important for many reasons, and cannot be separated from the international context of revolution and upheaval against feudal aristocracy with instances such as the establishment of republics in France and America.

The beginning of the 18th Century was marked by the introduction of the Penal Laws, which were implemented by the absentee British Protestant Aristocracy as a measure to limit the rights of Catholics. The laws limited Catholics in the realm of owning property, taking political office or being able to vote. This left a majority crippled population of Catholic peasantry, which generated revenue for the British Ruling Class through ground rents. The Penal Laws prevented any Catholic political force or prosperous economic class being able to emerge, this was especially important as a measure to control the Irish economy and benefit the absentee landlords who ruled. In the North, there existed emerging capitalists in the linen industry and alongside them, an emerging proletariat. Made up of Protestants and Dissenters, these groups also stood in stark opposition to the policy of the British ruling class in Ireland, who sought to preserve Ireland as their feudal estate.

These different class elements were involved in various struggles, parliamentary or otherwise, against the feudal interests of England in the years preceding 1798. Various groups were involved in land agitation against tithes and taxes paid to the British government and church, these involved violent struggles from groups Catholic and Protestant alike. The Patriot Party and the Volunteers were formed as a force which struggled for an Irish parliament. This was in response to various acts such as the Cattle Acts and the Wool Act which prevented the export of Irish goods and hence, weakened any chance at the growth of capital in Ireland.

Then, in 1793, the United Irishmen was founded. The United Irishmen was composed of Catholics, Protestants and Dissenters alike. Their formation marked the first major defeat of sectarian attitudes in Irish society at that time. The foundation of the United Irishmen was the unity between religious disciples on the basis of being part of an Irish nation. In 1795, shortly after the outbreak of war between Britain and the newly formed French Republic, the United Irishmen reorganised itself. After sharp crackdown from the British authorities in relation to the war, the reformist and conservative elements of the United Irishmen largely defected. The organisation was reorganised “on a rebellious basis” with the objective of establishing a “republican government and a separation from England”. This declaration marked an important step for the burgeoning republican movement. Desmond Greaves had the following to say on this development;

“The reorganisation of the United Irishmen was a turning point in Irish history. For the first time the Irish nation was exclusively identified with the Irish democracy.”

That is to say, like the movements in Europe and America which rose up against feudal monarchy, the Irish nation stood in direct opposition to not only colonial, but feudal despotic rule.

The rising itself broke out against a backdrop of brutal repression from the English authorities and their paramilitary groups. In 1796 martial law was effectively declared and brutal punishment was doled out against any suspected republicans. After years of preparation, the rising broke out sporadically across the country. With fighting beginning in Kildare, and some of the most decisive initial victories occurring in Wexford, rebellion was in full swing around the country. At this time, French General Humbert sent forces to Connaught in support of the uprising. The French forces achieved some success but like rebellions across the country they were defeated. What followed the 1798 rebellion was brutal repression and indiscriminate torture and killing from the English authorities.

Throughout the years leading up to and during the rising, Theobald Wolfe Tone was consistent in his support and fermentation of rebellion. Not only was he involved in directing the organisation of the United Irishmen, but he also fostered the development of the Democratic Republican ideals of the group. Tone was captured during the rising after a heroic battle off the coast of Donegal, and died in captivity before his execution from British forces. His legacy will always be remembered as the founding father of Irish republicanism.

So what is to be learned from 1798 and the years which preceded it? The democratic and anti-sectarian ideals have influenced the Irish national movement for many years since. However the conditions since 1798 have matured. The political landscape has changed in Ireland since. Not only is Ireland partitioned, with a nominally independent free-state in the south and a British ruled state in the north, but also the age of feudalism is well and truly over in Ireland. Not only this, but the bourgeoisie have well and truly achieved their goals from the national struggle over the years. The ability for them to export commodities and capital from Ireland is now protected, and for them, there is no more national question worth discussing. Any national aspirations that are held by the Irish bourgeoisie are solely with respect to enhancing their ability to exploit the Irish worker. In this sense, the question of Irish freedom is solely in the hands of the Irish working class.

Tone and the United Irishmen fought heroically against the British Empire at a time when the class basis for international revolution had barely developed. Now, in the age of capitalist imperialism, the cause for the international working class to break free from its chains has never been so sure. Capitalism no longer plays any progressive role, and dominates the international working class, causing wars, economic depressions and the destruction of our planet. In the spirit of James Connolly, the only republic which in modern times could be considered progressive, is that of a Socialist Republic, established along the lines of scientific revolution. To follow the legacy of Tone and the United Irishmen, is to recognise this fact.