Page 298 - Demo

298 Stephen Dunford: The Journey of The IrIsh
A few days later, with a massive British army led by the Viceroy, Lord Cornwallis, bear- ing down on Castlebar, Humbert determined to march northward, where he expected to link up with more French troops, the second part of the expedition promised to Wolfe Tone. But finding that his path northwards was blocked by the British he was compelled to march inland.
At Ballinamuck, in county Longford, Humbert’s bedraggled and depleted force was surrounded by a British army numbering almost 35,000, under Cornwallis and Lake. After a short resistance of about two hours the French laid down their arms and surrendered as prisoners of war-following the French surrender, upwards of 600 Irish were butchered. The French were afterwards re-patriated in prisoner exchange deals.
While you honour in song and in story the names of the patriot men, Whose valour has covered with glory full many a mountain and glen, Forget not the boys of the heather, who marshalled their bravest and best, When Éire was broken in Wexford, and looked for revenge to the West.
Chorus
I give you the gallant old West, boys, Where rallied our bravest and best When Ireland lay broken and bleeding; Hurrah for the men of the West!
The hilltops with glory were glowing. twas the eve of a bright harvest day,
When the ships we’d been wearily waiting sailed into Killala’ broad bay;
And over the hills went the slogan, to waken in every breast
The fire that has never been quenched, boys, among the true hearts of the West.
Killala was ours ere the midnight, and high over Ballina town
Our banners in triumph were waving before the next sun had gone down. We gathered to speed the good work, boys, the true men anear and afar; And history can tell how we routed the redcoats through old Castlebar.
(The Men of the West, William Rooney)
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