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Martello Towers in Ireland In 1793 war broke out between the Revolutionary Forces of France and the British, who at that time occupied Ireland. In 1796 General Hoche planned an invasion of Britain, and the capture of Ireland first was the gateway to a possible success. France had already pledged to support countries seeking independence and support for the United Irishmen under the leadership of Wolfe Tone was equally assured of assistance from France. When Wolfe Tone went to France to seek help he was to back-up his request with an assurance that a large force would be ready in Ireland to join up with an invasion force from France. Before the final decision was made by the French to send an invasion force to Ireland serious discussions also took place between Tone and Hoche ,looking ahead of a possible victory over the British and the role, if any, that the French would play in a new Irish Government . This was not an obstacle as General Hoche was committed to helping Ireland gain independence and viewed Ireland as being similar to the independence gained by America with the assistance of the French. General Hoche viewed a victory in Ireland, not as a conquest, but as a guarantee that Ireland would support France in its ultimate goal of the conquest of Britain. Long discussions took place between Wolfe Tone and General Hoche on shipment of sufficient arms that would be required to equip the Irish insurgents, availability of food stocks especially bread and beef and agreement was reached that should the invasion be successful Ireland was to be declared a Republic. General Hohce also reminded Tone that the formidable force he planned to lead would inflict much casualties to opposition encountered and many of his own loyal supporters in Ireland would also perish with consequences of minimising expected support throughout the country as had happened in the French Revolution. Tone was heartened by these humane sentiments as it was also his wish that unnecessary bloodshed would be avoided. British spies in France could also confirm that the French Treasury had allocated large funding to the French Admiralty and reported on preparations that were being made equipping the Fleet. These fears were well founded and the French Fleet did invade Ireland in December 1796, the proposed landing point being Bantry Bay and this failed when a fierce winter storm scattered the Fleet, the disarray and fearing the disgrace of defeat forced the French to abandon the invasion and return to France. Many of the French ships were in Bantry Bay, Wolfe Tone was aboard the L’Indomtable. News of the attempted invasion, though a failure, fuelled the spirit of insurrection throughout Ireland and this spirit climaxed with the Insurrection in Ireland on 1798. Documented accounts of the strength of expected support the French would have received had the invasion been successful do not support this view but emanated from the strong spirit of freedom spreading throughout the country from the North of Ireland. Wolfe Tone succeeded in obtaining French assistance for another attempt in 1798 . Several small expeditions to Ireland were planned and the first led by General Humbert with 1000 men landed in Kilalla, North Mayo ,the ships were the La Hoche, Robrest, Ethalion and the Doris. Wolfe Tone's uncle, Matthew and several prominent members of the United Irishmen from France were on board. This small French force met little resistance and were devastated to learn on landing the news the Insurrection had been quashed and feared that a second planned invasion force had already left France without prior knowledge either, that the Insurrection was over. The French marched over 100 miles crossing the Shannon and were eventually defeated in a battle with the British at Ballinamuck, County Longford on September 8th.1798 led by General Lake and Lord Cornwallis. Matthew Tone and others were captured and sent to Dublin for trial . Many prisoners were taken and it is written in history that no mercy was shown to the Irish who had joined up with the French. General Humbert's fears were correct, as another expedition had already left France led by Napper Tandy but when they reached Rathlin Island on the north-east coast of Ireland they heard of the defeat of Humbert's expedition and returned to France. Another disaster was to follow as Wolfe Tone had left France on the 20th.September with the largest fleet of 11 ships also unaware of all the failings of the previous attempts and four of the ships reached the entry to Lough Swilly on the North coast on the 10th.October.(the remaining ships scattered en route to approach from different directions). On this occasion the British were prepared and engaged and defeated the French at Lough Swilly leading to his capture, together with many other leading members of the United Irishmen. They were taken to Dublin to face trial. These events highlighted to the British the serious lack of fortifications at major crossing points on the Shannon and the real threat of further landings by the French in the North of Ireland. After a short truce, war again broke out between England and France in 1803 and in view of past invasion attempts by the French, the British drew up plans to fortify likely landing places in Britain and around the coasts of Ireland. British spies could again report that Boulogne had become an enormous Camp for a French Army of over 130.000 men and 22,000 landing boats poised ready to invade Britain. The Royal Navy also made known their presence to the French and was ready to prevent the invasion force from leaving French waters. A comprehensive plan of fortifications was approved by the enactment of the National Defence Act 1804 to protect the English coasts from invasion and this plan was also extended to include Ireland. The principal feature of the network of fortifications being constructed on the Coasts of England and Ireland was The Martello Tower.
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