Battle of Clonard

The Battle of Clonard occurred on 11 July 1798 near Leinster Bridge in the townland of Clonard New, County Kildare during the Irish Rising of that year. A combined force of between 2,000 and 4,000 United Irishmen engaged a force of 27 British loyalist militia troops led by Lieutenant Thomas Tyrrell over 6 hours in an attempt to cross the River Boyne. The defenders held the fortified house until they were reinforced by a Sergeant and 11 men of the Northumberland Fencibles and 15 men of the Kinnegad Cavalry under the command and including Lt Edward Haughton when the rebels were routed and retreated to Carbury, County Kildare. The attack on Clonard was a disastrous failure and a severe blow to the surviving rebels. Many of the County Kildare rebels returned to their homes while many of the Meath men were dissuaded from joining the rebellion by the defeat and due to much of their existing stocks of ammunition being wasted in the battle.