Robert Emmet

Robert Emmet (4 March 1778 – 20 September 1803) was an Irish Republican, orator and rebel leader.

Following the suppression of the United Irish uprising in 1798, he sought to organize a renewed attempt to overthrow the British Crown and Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland, and to establish a nationally representative government.

Emmet entertained, but ultimately abandoned, hopes of immediate French assistance and of coordination with radical militants in Great Britain.

In Ireland, many of the surviving veterans of ‘98 hesitated to lend their support, and his rising in Dublin in 1803 proved abortive.

In Dublin, Emmet believed his hand was forced on the 16th of July when gunpowder in the rebel arms depot in Patrick Street accidentally detonated, arousing the suspicion of the authorities.

He persuaded the majority of the leadership, to bring forward the date for the rising to the evening of Saturday, July 23rd, a festival day, which would provide cover for the gathering of their forces.

The plan, without any further consideration of French aid, was to storm Dublin Castle, make hostage of Privy Council, and signal the country to rise