Wolfe Tone

The father of Irish republicanism and one of the leaders of the Rebellion of 1798.

Life

Protestant lawyer

Theobald Wolfe Tone was a Protestant lawyer from Dublin. Inspired by the French Revolution, in 1791 he co-founded the Society of United Irishmen, which called for Catholics, Protestants and Dissenters to unite and throw off British rule.

Society of United Irishmen

After the movement was banned, he went into exile in the United States, and in 1796 went to France to seek aid. That year France sent a great fleet to Ireland, but storms prevented it from landing at Bantry Bay.

Rebellion of 1798

After the Irish rebellion of 1798 failed, he arrived in Ireland with a small French squadron, was captured, tried for treason and sentenced to hang, and took his own life before the execution.

Legacy

Wolfe Tone is regarded as the father of Irish republicanism, and his ideal of uniting all Irish people regardless of religion has had a profound influence.

Did you know? Every year republicans gather at his grave in Bodenstown to commemorate him.

Key dates

• 1791Co-founds the Society of United Irishmen
• 1795Exile in the United States
• 1796Seeks aid in France; French landing at Bantry Bay fails
• 1798Dies after being captured