1798 United Irishmen Battle of Ballynahinch Site Montalto Estate Co Down

[@shaunmckenna1923]

Hello Tom , that was a beautiful spot lovely to hear all the birds singing , I am sure you could feel the history walking around the rebels really did not stand a chance with all the fire power they had to fight, as you said many would only have pikes and hand tools . Thanks Tom always love the history.

[@TomMcClean]

Hi Shaun. It's not certain just how many men fell at this battle but it would probably be in the low hundreds. The follow up retribution meeted out across huge swathes of countryside, on 'believed' rebels, killed far far more, including men women and children. There was no thought of mercy. Old scores were settled that had nothing to do with the Rebellion. People were tortured in the most horrible ways in an orgy of blood. Rape happened too. Many innocents were likely to have been at the wrong place at the wrong time too. I was thinking about this carnage last night and where I was standing looking at the peaceful sheep.

[@edwardkelly3425]

Very interesting Tom. I am from North Tipperary, was never aware there was such a large rebellion in Ulster. Down here we only really hear about the engagements in Wexford. Very interesting

[@TomMcClean]

Hey many thanks Edward. I have made quite a few United Irishmen associated videos. My friend Mark Porter ( KZbin Church History Trail ) has done even more than me. Check this one out showing graves from the Battle of Saintfield near the end. 1st Saintfield Presbyterian Church 1798 Rebellion United Irishmen Graves kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4qYpJ57jN2WbtE Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@chriswardlow9441]

Fascinating Tom, this is right up my street, do you know if there is any chance of finding a record of where victims of this dreadful episode are buried? I think this site warrants an organised archaeological dig especially the battle area.

[@TomMcClean]

I have found actual graves of 1798 soldiers killed in the battle of Saintfield Chris and they are readable!. I have also found a few others here and there. Bodies would have been claimed by relatives and thus buried maybe upwards of 30 miles away. 1st Saintfield Presbyterian Church 1798 Rebellion United Irishmen Graves kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4qYpJ57jN2WbtE

[@Willspec]

I found out about this battle through a book my brother got me, what a fantastic history we have in our area, being from Comber it pains me that we arent educated about our own past, ive got a few of those musket balls. Found them in Saintfield.

[@TomMcClean]

Exactly Will. I never heard any of this either, in the State system, even though I did history right through to A level. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills