Wolfe Tone Monument - St Stephens Green

Wolfe Tone possibly one of the most famous Irish Revolutionaries was one of the founding members of the United Irishmen and was the leader of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. This statue is one of the Talking Statues of Dublin. If you scan the plaque with your smart phone you will here the history and tales of Wolfe Tone. The statue is by Edward Delaney and was put in place in 1967. Theobald Wolfe Tone was born on 20 June 1763. His father was of Prodestant descent and his mother was a practicing Catholic who converted after his birth. He studied law at Trinity College and qualified as a barrister and got involved in politics,by founding the Society of the United Irishmen. The main aim of the United Irishmen was to form a political union between Catholics and Prodestants. In 1794 the Society of United Irishmen became a sworn association, using oaths that clearly aimed at the overthrow of the Kingdom of Ireland. The British autorities found out about the cause of the United Irishmen and arrested the leaders who were all charged with treason. Tone then fled Ireland for the US and the Unitied Irishmen were disbanded. The United Irishmen reformed in 1796 and Tone and the United Irishmen looked to the French, who had been at war with Britain, for aid. Tone went to France to persuade the French to invade Ireland and hepl the Irish rebellion cause. The French sent troops and supplies, however due to adverse weather conditions could not land in Ireland and spent a number of days in Bantry Bay before turning back to France. Tone accompanied the French ship as Adjutant-general Smith. Tone stayed with the French army and served with French forces in their wars. At this time the membership of the United Irishmen had reached 300,000, and had planned a rebellion which Tone tried to persuade Napolean Bonaparte to sentd help to the Irish. Napolean was heading for Egypt when the Irish Rebellion started, therfore his armies were tied up and could only send a small number of troops to aid the Irish. Three raids were organised, with the first being successful to a point, while the other two were unsuccessful resulting ing the arrest of Wolfe Tone. Tone was taken as prisoner and was sent to trial by court martial. Tone requested that he receive a soldiers death and be shot. However suspecting that this wish would not be granted, it is said that he committed suicide in jail.