Battle of the Big Cross 1798 - 225th Anniversary

22/06/2025

Congratulations and well done to the Phairs Pub: Shannonvale, Clonakilty and wider community for the dignified way they honoured the participants of 1798.

18/06/2025

1798 to be remembered

The “Battle of the Big Cross” took place on 19th June 1798, in which around 300 local United Irishmen, armed mainly with pikes made in local blacksmith forges, took on around 100 members the Westmeath Militia a few hundred yards north of Shannonvale on what was then the main road from Clonakilty to Bandon. As history tells us, the Irish lost the battle, but it is remembered proudly as the only uprising in the whole of Munster that historic year.

On this Thursday evening, 19th, at 8pm, Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage will remember the event with the annual non-political wreath-laying ceremony by the Mayor at Asna Square.

And the community at Shannonvale have organised a mini festival which will include a commemorative march from the monument to the village centre on Friday 20th at 8pm followed by a trad session in Phair’s. On Saturday a number of family-orientated events including barbeque and family fun day will also take place.

Full details on Shannonvale Community News page and Battle of the Big Cross 1798 page.

18/06/2025

1798 to be remembered
The “Battle of the Big Cross” took place on 19th June 1798, in which around 300 local United Irishmen, armed mainly with pikes made in local blacksmith forges, took on around 100 members the Westmeath Militia a few hundred yards north of Shannonvale on what was then the main road from Clonakilty to Bandon. As history tells us, the Irish lost the battle, but it is remembered proudly as the only uprising in the whole of Munster that historic year.
On this Thursday evening, 19th, at 8pm, Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage will remember the event with the annual non-political wreath-laying ceremony by the Mayor at Asna Square.
And the community at Shannonvale have organised a mini festival which will include a commemorative march from the monument to the village centre on Friday 20th at 8pm followed by a trad session in Phair’s. On Saturday a number of family-orientated events including barbeque and family fun day will also take place. Full details on Shannonvale Community News page and Battle of the Big Cross 1798 page.

25/06/2024

2024 Commemoration

The annual non-political, historical Battle of the Big Cross commemoration was held at the Tadhg an Asna monument on the 19th June – the 226th anniversary of the event between Shannonvale and Ballinascarthy, which is regarded as the only rising in Munster by United Irishmen against Crown Forces in the historic year of 1798.
Organised as usual by Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage, a large crowd, which included some descendants of participants in the battle, attended.
Cathaoirleach Tim Feen extended a welcome to all.
Local historian Michael O’ Mahony delivered an interesting talk on the global and national events of the latter half of the 18th century which resulted in around 300 local United Irishmen ambushing a group of approx. 100 trained and superior armed soldiers of the Westmeath Militia north of Shannonvale on that Tuesday morning.
The French and American revolutions were of great influence and led to the founding of the United Irishmen in Belfast in the early 1790’s, whose aim was the “Break the connection with England” and “Unite Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter under the common name of Irishmen and Irishwomen”.
Life in West Cork and the failed expedition of 15,000 French soldiers at Bantry Bay in December 1796, organised by Wolfe Tone, and the aftermath of the Battle of the Big Cross itself saw much cruelty against the native population.

Mayor Eileen Sheppard, as per tradition, laid the wreath and complimented the organisers on the event and the importance of remembering our history.

A minutes silence was observed and the ceremony concluded with Ger O’ Driscoll, trumpeter, leading the crowed in “Amhrán na bhFiann”.

1798 Commemoration
PHOTO: Mayor Eileen Sheppard, with Traolach Ó Donnabháin and Marian O’ Leary at the annual Battle of the Big Cross Commemoration at Asna Square on 19th June 2024, which marked the 226th anniversary of what is considered the only rising in Munster during 1798.

16/06/2024

1798 Commemoration

The annual non-political 1798 “Battle of the Big Cross" commemoration will take place as usual on this Wednesday evening, 19th June at Asna Square at 8pm.
Organised by Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage Commemorations Sub Committee, the event will see the new Clonakilty Mayor Eileen Sheppard, lay a wreath at the Tadhg an Asna monument, and a short talk about the event of 226 years ago between Shannonvale and Ballinascarthy, which was the only recorded rising in Munster during that historic year.
On that morning, local United Irishmen numbering approx. 300 ambushed around 100 Westmeath Militia crown forces as they marched from Clonakilty to Bandon.
All welcome to remember this historic local event.

19/11/2023

In memory of Wolfe Tone on this the 225th Anniversary of his death. Never forget.

In a time of shadows
a glorious gleam
A shining example
a bejewelled dream,
Through test and trial
with noble undaunted stride
Moving,inspiring
filling patriotic hearts
with pride,
He our hope's light
our people's might
He
our Princely Knight

Capt. Conchobhar Ó Súilleabháin
The Society of United Irishmen
Respect, Honour, Educate

19/11/2023

Today, 19th November marks the 225th anniversary of the death of Wolfe Tone, one of the founders of the Society of United Irishmen. He was just 35 and incarcerated and scheduled to be executed when he died.

31/10/2023

PLEASE NOTE.
DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FORECAST, THE SCHEDULED “SPOKEN WORD” EVENT AT DeBarra's Folk Club WITH ITS 1798 THEME, IS CANCELLED TOMORROW EVENING 1/11/2023.

27/10/2023

PLEASE NOTE.
DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FORECAST, THE EVENT BELOW IS CANCELLED TOMORROW EVENING 1/11/2023.

Spoken Word
The November Spoken Word event will be held as usual in deBarra’s Folk Club, starting at 8.30pm on Wednesday 1st.
This month there will be a historical slant when two short films will be shown on the big screen. “The Battle of the Big Cross" (11 minutes long), is about the only rising in Munster during the Irish Rebellion of 1798 which took place between Shannonvale and Ballinascarthy.
The footage was filmed at the commemoration last June at Asna Square to mark the 225th anniversary of the battle, which was attended by many descendants of the people involved, and is combined, with images of the fighting between redcoats and rebels.
Similar sequences are in “The Croppy Boy" (9 minutes), about the historic background of the rebellion, narrated and researched by Jim Scanlan who uncovered interesting facts, especially about the heroic roles of women.
Cathy Keane filmed the exciting re-enactments. Both filmmakers will be present on the night, will answer questions.

Also present will be a representative of Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage which organised the event in June and is working on the re-publication of the 1998 “Battle of the Big Cross” journal published 25 years ago as part of the bicentenary commemorations.
Anyone with any information that could be included is invited to make contact ASAP to ensure the associated articles can be written up. Contact [email protected], phone 086-2202029 after 7pm or send a message via the dedicated page Battle of the Big Cross 1798 - 225th Anniversary.

“History Speaks – 1798", video plus Q and A, Wednesday 1 November, DeBarra's Folk Club, 8.30pm, free event, all welcome.

Programme to remember the 225th "Battle of the Big Cross", which occurred on 19th June 1798, Co. Cork