"In Monasterevan............Lord Tyrawley busied himself examining the rebels. On 11 June he arrested Fr Edward Prendagast who was tried by Court Martial and subsequently executed. Tyrawley wrote to Cook in Dublin: The execution of this man has had a good effect. It was clearly proved that he was at one of the rebel camps encouraging people with a pistol in his hand and that he gave them absolution tho' they confessed to him that they were United Irishmen. I'm glad to be able to add that the other priests in this neighbourhood refused absolution to such people as were UI. I think the people are heartily sick of rebellion and that it will be very difficult to make them rise again." "Prendagast was possibly executed as an example to dissuade the local populace from mounting a second offensive. The involvement of other Kildare clergy was relatively minor" ... from Rebellion in Kildare, 1790-1803 ~ Liam Chambers Sorry, nothing on Thomas Cleary. Dale Qld. Aust. > > My ancestors are blacksmiths from Monasterevin, and family legend has it > that Thomas Cleary made swords for the rebels and sheltered a Catholic > priest named Father Prendergast. For this he was hanged and his wife and > children were forced to watch. Could you have a look and see if there's > any reference to him please? > > Many thanks > Richard Kelly. > > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > >