The First Casualities of Emmet's Rebellion in Ringsend Bay

 We have long been aware of the importance of Irishtown in the history of the southeast area along the River Liffey and Dublin Bay, but it’s pivotal role in Irish history and the history of warfare and space exploration is probably less appreciated. In our next two posts we will explore that unique and important history. Firstly, we will look at how Irishtown was at the heart of the creation of Republicanism, how its salt water was a source of medicinal cures and secondly while Space X launches the heaviest rocket into the space, the first firing of a rocket anywhere in Europe took place on Irishtown strand. The goal of the Ringsend & Districts Historical Society is the preserve and protect this great history, to research and educate and to bring our proud history to a wider audience. One small step for man, one giant leap for Irishtown.

As we saw in this post, Robert Emmet and William  Johnstone were test firing rockets on Irishtown strand in advance of the planned rising. An interesting article appeared in the newspapers in April 1803 just three months before the outbreak. this may have been a coincidence or a portent of things to come. The report stated that 'guns were heard in the bay' which was often the sound of a vessel in distress around the mouth of the River Liffey and Dublin Bay. Nine men in a lifeboat put out to sea from Bullock Harbour nrar Dalkey 'to affect assistance to the stricken vessel'. The first lifeboat had been installed at Sandycove earlier that year.

But the vessel in 'distress' was more likely more rocket test firing that sounded like a loud gun being fired. The rescue crew was made up of a pilot and eight local fishermen. They rowed out into the bay in the direction of the Pigeon House and Ringsend.

The unfortunate outcome was that in the darkness and 'a tidal tempest' the lives of all nine men were lost. Perhaps these men could be described as the first faltalities of Emmet's 1803 rebellion.