Irish Volunteers (18th Century)

Irish Volunteers (18th Century)

The Volunteers (also known as the Irish Volunteers) were local militias in late 18th century Ireland to defend Ireland from the threat of French and Spanish invasion when regular British soldiers were withdrawn from Ireland to fight across the globe during the American Revolutionary War and the government failed to organise its own militia. Taking advantage of Britain's preoccupation with its rebelling American colonies, the Volunteers were able to pressure Westminster into conceding legislative independence to the Dublin parliament. Members of the Belfast 1st Volunteer Company laid the foundations for the establishment of the United Irishmen organisation. The majority of Volunteer members however were inclined towards the yeomanry, which fought and helped defeat the United Irishmen in the Irish rebellion of 1798.

Read more about Irish Volunteers (18th Century):  Founding of The Volunteers, Politics, Dungannon Conventions, Motifs and Mottos, Competitions and Awards, Organisation, Catholic Emancipation, Demise, Legacy

Famous quotes containing the words irish and/or volunteers:

    Ireland still remains the Holy Isle whose aspirations must on no account be mixed with the profane class-struggles of the rest of the sinful world ... the Irish peasant must not on any account know that the Socialist workers are his sole allies in Europe.
    Friedrich Engels (1820–1895)

    Friendship is but another name for an alliance with the follies and the misfortunes of others. Our own share of miseries is sufficient: why enter then as volunteers into those of another?
    Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)