Michael Dwyer

Dwyer, Michael, an insurgent leader in 1798, was born in 1771.

In the summer of 1798 he took refuge in the Wicklow mountains, and held out for many months against the Government, at first with Holt, and afterwards with his own band.

Conflicting accounts are given of his conduct; by some he is said to have repressed outrages among his followers, while others relate shocking atrocities perpetrated by his party.

On the evening of Emmet's emeute in 1803, Dwyer led nearly 500 men to his assistance at Rathfarnham, but retired to the mountains without effecting anything.

Eventually he gave himself up, and was sent to New South Wales, where he received an appointment in the police.

He died in 1815.

He is described as a handsome and intelligent man.

Sources

87. Cornwallis, Marquis, Correspondence: Charles Ross. 3 vols. London, 1859.
Cotton, Rev. Henry, see No. 118.

154. Grattan Henry, his Life and Times: Henry Grattan. 5 vols. London, 1839-'46.