Battle of Naas

Battle of Naas
Part of the United Irishmen Rebellion
Date 24 May 1798 Location Naas, County Kildare Result United Irishmen repelled
Belligerents
United Irishmen Defenders	British Army
Commanders and leaders
Michael Reynolds	Unknown
Strength
1,000	250
Casualties and losses
~135 killed	~25 killed

The Battle of Naas took place in Ireland on 24 May 1798.

Background

One of the first engagements of the 1798 rebellion, a force of over 1,000 rebels, led by Michael Reynolds attacked Naas, the strongest Crown garrison in County Kildare, following the successful mobilisation of United Irishmen, Defenders and rebels throughout county Kildare on the night of 23 May. The garrison at Naas numbered approximately 250 men, supplemented by a number of local yeomen, some of whom had already deserted to the rebels. Importantly, the defenders had some cannon.

Attack

The rebel attack was launched from three directions at around 2:30 a.m and achieved a degree of surprise, driving the garrison back to the cover of the military barracks. A series of fierce attacks on the barracks saw heavy fighting but rebel assaults on the barracks were eventually beaten back when the military managed to bring two artillery pieces to bear on the rebels by the demolition of several buildings. Exposed to artillery fire from an unexpected direction, the rebels began to waver, and cavalry were sent in to take advantage of the confusion. The rebels then began to retreat and the bulk of their casualties, about 135, were inflicted at this stage for the loss of about 25 of the military.