I big long stick with a metal point on it. The metal point may also have a cutting edge on it depending on the skills of the blacksmith and probably depending on how many heads the local blacksmiths could churn out quickly when this was all getting organized. I've heard that in this case they were put together rather quickly and so were rather basic. The idea of the long stick was so that the pikemen could charge the line of soldiers armed with bayonets on the end of their rifles. With the long stick they could bring their point or blade into play before they came into reach of the bayonet. Of course having a rifle yourself would have been better but other than the army and militia there weren't too many of those around so the rebels used what they could make themselves. -----Original Message----- From: irl-carlow-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:irl-carlow-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of MacShea95@aol.com Sent: 28 January 2010 20:10 To: irl-carlow@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [IRL-CARLOW] Nolan Um.............can anyone tell me what a "pike" is?? Thanks In a message dated 1/28/2010 9:08:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, tlaporte@mts.net writes: Hello Denny I'm assuming that these were all men who were applying for protection from prosecution following the events of May 24, 1798 when the United Irishmen gathered in areas around Carlow and then attacked the town with a great loss of life as the army had been made aware that the rebels were coming and led them into a hidden trap where many were killed. These men in this list seem to have been seen with pikes in their possession that day or the pikes were found later in their possession and now they are providing their own affidavits or are providing affidavits from other upstanding citizens in support of their request for protection from prosecution. Close enough Mick? Tom -----Original Message----- From: irl-carlow-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:irl-carlow-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of guscarroll@comcast.net Sent: 28 January 2010 18:55 To: irl-carlow@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [IRL-CARLOW] Nolan Interogative; I'm not sure what is being asked in the emails where they are asking for "Protection". Are they trying to escape some charges account of owning the pikes? I missed something some where and I'm not sure of the context. Thanks, Denny Carroll ----- Original Message ----- From: "michael purcell" <carlowmike@gmail.com> To: irl-carlow@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 9:27:18 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [IRL-CARLOW] Nolan (my mistake , there were "Nolans" recorded. J.C.) here is James Nolan seeking a Protection recorded in Journal of Dudley Hill, James gives very little information !. Seeking Protection: James Nolan, of Ballon, Labourer, had a pike. ======================================= Before you post a message to the IRL-CARLOW mailing list you must subscribe to the List. Its FREE! --------------------------------------- To subscribe to the IRL-Carlow mailing list, send an email to IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the Subject box. No additional text is required. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ======================================= Before you post a message to the IRL-CARLOW mailing list you must subscribe to the List. Its FREE! --------------------------------------- To subscribe to the IRL-Carlow mailing list, send an email to IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the Subject box. No additional text is required. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ======================================= Before you post a message to the IRL-CARLOW mailing list you must subscribe to the List. Its FREE! --------------------------------------- To subscribe to the IRL-Carlow mailing list, send an email to IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the Subject box. No additional text is required. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ======================================= Before you post a message to the IRL-CARLOW mailing list you must subscribe to the List. Its FREE! --------------------------------------- To subscribe to the IRL-Carlow mailing list, send an email to IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the Subject box. No additional text is required. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message