What were the key events of the Battle of Castlebar?

What were the key events of the Battle of Castlebar?

The key events of the Battle of Castlebar were as follows:

1. On August 27, 1798, during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, a French force led by General Jean Joseph Amable Humbert landed in County Mayo, Ireland, to support the Irish rebels against British rule.

2. The British forces, led by General Gerard Lake, underestimated the strength and determination of the French and Irish rebels.

3. On August 27, the French and Irish rebels launched a surprise attack on the British camp at Castlebar. The British soldiers were caught off guard and quickly overwhelmed.

4. The British forces suffered a humiliating defeat, with many soldiers fleeing the battlefield in panic. It is estimated that around 500 British soldiers were killed or captured, while the French and Irish rebels suffered minimal casualties.

5. The Battle of Castlebar became known as the "Castlebar Races" due to the speed at which the British soldiers retreated from the battlefield.

6. The victory at Castlebar boosted the morale of the Irish rebels and inspired further resistance against British rule.

Overall, the Battle of Castlebar was a significant event in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, demonstrating the effectiveness of the French-Irish alliance and highlighting the vulnerability of British forces in Ireland.