20th June, 1798

Our thoughts were on our murdered countrymen...

Elizabeth Richards

Observer & supporter of the 1798 United Irishmen Rebellion

It was late when we left Fairfield. The evening was cold and blustery. At intervals we heard the roar of the cannon […] My sister and I sat in the back parlour. The wind whistled through broken panes of glass - dark clouds flew across the sky.

We were silent - our thoughts were on our murdered countrymen. The wind suddenly rose to a pitch of violence that made the house shake. The dismal howling of the storm, the darkness we could not bear alone. We rushed out of the room to seek for my mother.