Irish Volunteers (18th Century) - Founding of The Volunteers

Founding of The Volunteers

See also: List of Irish Volunteer corps, Irish Patriot Party, and History of Ireland 1691–1801

As far back as 1715 and 1745, self-constituted bodies of defensive local forces where formed in anticipation of Stuart invasions. For example in 1744 with the declaration of war with France and in 1745 the landing of Prince Charles Edward in Scotland, a corps of 100 men was enrolled in Cork, known as the "The True Blues", which formed one of the regiments of the "United Independent Volunteers".

In 1757 and 1760 there were volunteer units formed due to the Seven Years War and due to the French landing at Carrickfergus in 1760. The roll-call of the militia that marched on the French at Carrickfergus listed in the "Collectanea politica", published in 1803, was titled "Ulster volunteers in 1760". From 1766 onwards units were embodied by local landlords in various parts of the country for the preservation of peace and the protection of property. Early volunteer groups (which later became part of the Volunteers) included: First Volunteers of Ireland (1 July 1766); Kilkenny Rangers (2 June 1770); First Magherafelt Volunteers (June 1773); and the Offerlane Blues (10 October 1773).

The rise of the Volunteers was a spontaneous event fired by patriotism and the threat of invasion, with another French landing expected when war broke out in 1778. With British troops being dispatched from Ireland for the war with the American colonies, the landed gentry reacted nervously, and misunderstandings arose about Ireland's defence capabilities. Claims that Ireland was ill-prepared for an attack, along with alleged negligence from Dublin Castle, was used to justify the existence of Volunteer companies and their role in defending Ireland. In fact around 4'000 soldiers had been dispatched to the American colonies, leaving as many as 9'000 behind in Ireland.

The Volunteers were built upon existing foundations. Dublin Castle had created militias throughout the 18th century, however these had fallen into disuse. The Volunteers filled the gap left behind, with possibly half of its officers having held commissions in the militia. Historian Thomas Barlett claims that the purpose of the militia as defined in 1715 would have fitted with the aims of the Volunteers: "of surpressing... all such insurreections and rebellions, and repelling of invasions". Along with this, Irish Protestants of all ranks had a long, strong tradition of self-defence, having formed groups to resist and pursue agrarian insurgents and keeping a watchful eye on Catholics when threats arose.

The Volunteers were independent of the Irish Parliament and Dublin Castle, and this was an established fact by 1779. It is claimed that had the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, John Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire, been more pro-active and assertive, then the Volunteers could have come under some form of government control.

The regular military deemed the Volunteers of low value in regards to helping repulse a foreign threat. Instead they held the view that they could be a "serviceable riot police", and it was this that they distinguished themselves for. For example Volunteer companies did duty whilst regular troops had been called away, whilst others were used to pursue agrarian insurgents. When protests were organised in Dublin following the introduction of a bill in the Irish Parliament seeking to outlaw textile workers' combinations, the Volunteers were mobilised to maintain the peace in case of public disorder.

The British victory over the Spanish off Cape St. Vincent in 1780 saw the fear of invasion dissipate, causing the Volunteers to also become involved in politics. Initially they started off agitating for reforms and measures to promote Ireland's prosperity, however they moved from peaceful persuasion to "the threat of armed dictatorship". In the end Parliament was victorious.