of Louth's greatest patriots
churchyard, not far from Rossin flower mill, is the final
resting place of one of County Louth's greatest patriots,
Colonel Patrick Leonard. A Celtic cross is all that is left
to remind us of this remarkable man.
More than 150 years ago Patrick Leonard, who hailed from
Tullyallen was a character of note on either side of the
Atlantic. Born in 1821 Leonard grew up in an Ireland under
the rule of the British Empire, where but for a minor uprising
in 1848 by the Young Irelanders, there wasn't much activity
to trouble the forces of the Crown.
Like many of his peers he emigrated to America (in 1852)
in search of fame and fortune and worked in numerous jobs
before finally joining the 99th New York National Guard
in August 1864 to fight on the side of the Union in the
Civil war. Reports of this period are limited, but by all
accounts Leonard gained respectability as a successful American
He enlisted as a major and spent 100 days serving in Elmira
prison, New York, guarding Confederate prisoners. In May
of that year the US War Department learned there were vacant
barracks in Elmira, that had been used as a rendezvous point
by Confederate soldiers earlier in the war. Union soldiers
were dispatched to encircle the camp with a stockade fence
and turn it into a prison.
By the time Leonard had reported for duty some 10,000 Confederate
prisoners were being held at the camp. Because of a lack
of vegetables and fresh water at the camp scurvy was rife
amongst the inmates.
Living conditions at the camp were intolerable for both
guards and prisoners alike. With insufficient shelter the
barracks held only half the prisoners; the others were crowded
into tents - even in the depths of winter.
The camp was officially closed on July 1 1865. Of the 12,122
soldiers imprisoned there, 2,963 died of sickness and exposure.
All that remains of Elmira prison today is a well kept cemetery
along the banks of the Chemung river near New York.
When Leonard retired from active duty he received the commission
of a Lieutenant Colonel. Ironically another Irish patriot
who joined the regiment on the same day was John O'Mahony,
founder of the American branch of the Fenian Brotherhood.
As a young man growing up it was Leonards deepest
desire to see an Ireland free from British rule. His military
experience was vital and he returned to Ireland later that
year at a time when the Fenians were getting ready for action.
The collapse of the Young Ireland movement following the
abortive rising of 1848 led to a marked decline in interest
in national politics.
However two of the Young Irelanders, the aforementioned
John O'Mahony and James Stephens escaped to Paris after
the 1848 Rising. There they became associated with various
secret organisations and became imbued with the idea of
forming an Irish organisation to fight for Irish freedom.
The organisation would become known as the Fenians.
The movement grew quickly throughout the country and by
late 1862 it was established in Drogheda where it was inaugurated
by Thomas Clark Luby who swore in six members who took part
in propagating the organisation throughout the town and
The movement had its headquarters in the Weaver's Hall in
Magdalene Street where during and under the cover of the
weaver's strike, secret drilling took place. Thomas Flynn
a millwright and James Hart a miller in Mortans Mill on
the quays were leading lights in the organisation at the
Patrick Leonard became immediately involved and was regarded
by many to be the Fenian leader in the area.
Not long after his return he was arrested in Begrath by
the Collon and Tullyallen Constabulary, on suspicion of
being involved in the Fenian movement. He was brought to
Mell barracks at the corner of Barrack Lane at Cloughpatrick.
The magistrates remanded him in custody for eight days,
as the prosecuting constable expected to find sufficient
evidence to bring him to trial.
However, he was released on his own recognisances after
nothing was found to incriminate him. His solicitor Mr Rowland,
pleaded that he had returned from America in ill health
to recuperate in a change of climate and nothing more.
At the same time the "Irish People" the Fenian
paper was seized and suppressed in Dublin. During the raid
many documents were discovered, which led to the arrest
and imprisonment of many members of the Drogheda movement.
The Constabulary searched for arms, forcing the Fenians
to seek out safer hiding places.
A Franciscan lay brother, Bro Furlong concealed arms in
the roof of the friary in Laurence Street. These arms were
subsequently discovered when the roof sprang a leak in 1994
and are now on display in the Millmount Museum.
A countrywide insurrection had been planned for March 5,
1867. In truth it was an utter shambles that ended up in
chaos. Lack of public support, bad organisation and informers
meant the ill fated rebellion was doomed from the start.
The Drogheda insurrection failed because the guns and ammunition
didn't arrive until after a division of the Fenians had
been routed at the Potato Market. Leonard was the leader
(or Centre) of another division and was waiting at the White
Gates for firearms. He knew the authorities were on his
tail, and with little or no arms available, decided against
In the aftermath, the Constabulary, arrested everybody they
suspected of having Fenian links in the town. Leonard went
on the run and evaded capture by hiding in a doctor's surgery
and later at a Protestant clergyman's house.
He returned to America as resistance in Ireland faded away.
In the summer of 1873 Leonard returned to Ireland again
- ironically this time again in ill health and stayed in
his sister's house at the Black Bull. However, this time
matters were real and he died there on September 19 from
consumption at the age of 52.
His death led to a demonstration of Fenian support and it
was reported that 9,000 people attended his funeral. For
many years, massive crowds accompanied by several bands
marched from Drogheda to Monknewtown to commemorate his
After a revival in 1941 the remembrance ceremony died out
after a few years. Now a Celtic cross is all that remains
to remind us of one of Louth's greatest patriots.
Taken from Wee County 2003