This is a picture by Sinead of Dwyer's escape.
On the 15th of April 1799,a fierce snowstorm started. Michael Dwyer and eleven rebels looked for shelter in "Doire-Na-Muc".There was three houses on this lane.The first house was Hoxeys,the second was Tooles and the third house belonged to Miley Connell.
In the first house there was Ned Lennon and Thomas Clerk. In the second there was Walter McDaniel, John Ash, Patrick Toole, Darby Dunne, John Mickle and Hugh Byrne and in the third Michael Dwyer, Sam McAllister, John Savage and Patrick Costello hid in Connell's. It was not a lucky day for the rebels for a spy had informed the Yeomen that Dwyer was hiding there.The informer went a about of 7-8 miles to Hacketstown that night to give information about Dwyer and his men.
An army of over 100 men led by Captain Roderick MacDonald was immediately sent from Hacketstown. Very quietly they surrounded the first house. Lennon and Clerk surrendered without much argument on condition that they would not be killed. MacDonald then moved on to the second house.The same happened there.Then the Yeomen surrounded the third house. When Dwyer found out he asked that the women be set free. MacDonald agreed to this and then he asked him to surrender, Dwyer said "We'll fight until we die!"
The cottage was set on fire but they still fought. Dwyer then forced his head through the thatch to see all the Yeomen outside. Costello and Savage were then shot dead.Dwyer and McAllister thought they would die in the flames.Then McAllister took a shot in his arm. He told Dwyer he could were no longer able to fight.
McAllister had a plan for Dwyer to escape. He would go to the door and let the soldiers shoot and while they were reloading Dwyer would escape. This happened according to plan and as Dwyer was running he slipped on some ice which saved him from the next shower of bullets. He eventually came to a relative's house but ran again when he saw the soldiers approach. He came to a river and he got across it. When the soldiers reached the river they found some blood,but they didn't dare cross it. Dwyer had escaped.
It was drawn by Leanne Byrne.
It is open to the public during the summer.
A Ballad about Derrynamuck by T.D.Sullivan.
At length,brave Micheal Dwyer,you and your trusted men,
Were hunted o'er the mountains and tracked into the Glen,
The stealty soldiers followed with ready blade and ball,
And swore to trap the outlaw,that night in Wild Imaal.
They prowled around the valley and towards the dawn of day
Discovered where the faithful and fearless heroes lay.
Around the little cottage,they formed into a ring And called out Micheal Dwyer surrender to the king.
Thus answered Micheal Dwyer,into this house we came unasked by those who own it,
they cannot be to blame
Then let these guiltless people,unquestioned pass you through,
And when they've passed inn safety,I'll tell you what to do.Twas done,
and now said Dwyer, your work you may begin,You are a hundred outside,we're only four within,
We've heard your haughty summons and this is our reply,We're true United Irishmen,
we'll fight until we die.Then spoke the brave McAllister,the weak and wounded man
You can escape my comrades,and this shall be your plan,
Place in my had a musked,then be upon the floor,I'll stand before the soldiers and open wide the door.
They'll pour into my bosom,the fire of their array.
Then while their guns are empty,dash through them and away.
He stood before the foremen,revealed amidst the flame,
From out their levelled pieces the wished for volley came.
Up sprang the three survivors for whom the hero died,
But only Micheal Dwyer burst through the ranks outside.