Probably the most famous Irishman to reside in Mexico ( and there were many ) was the Wexfordman William Lamport. Better known to Mexicans as 'Guillan de Lampart ' precursor of the Independence movement and author of the first Proclomation of Independence in the New World. William Lamport born in 1615 was one of many Irishmen who became famous in Mexico. for his adventurous life. The story tells us that a scandalous love affair caused him to flee to Mexico ( Nueva Espa na ) where he was moved by the poverty and degradation of Indians and Africans.
Ultimately he was accused of plotting a war of independence against the government, which led to his imprisonment. After ten years he escaped and lived as a fugitive, continuing his life and love affairs in the New Spain. Eventually he was captured and sent to death by the Inquisition, launching his name into legendary martydom. At the time, his adventurous and charitable lifestyle had such an impact, that citizens dubbed him the famous " El Zorro "
Admiral William Brown from Foxford County Mayo, emigrated from Ireland more than 200 years ago and in his adult life played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Argentinean Republic. He is considered a national hero in Argentina and was the father of the Argentine Navy and leader of the Argentine armed forces in the Wars against Brazil and Spain. He died in Buenos Aires in 1857.
Another prominent Irishman who had a hand in Mexican politics was Dublin-born
Hugh O'Connor who moved to Nueva Espa na ( 1767 ) to escape the harsh conditions that reigned in Ireland at the time. In his adopted homeland he became one of the most notable bureaucrats taking office as govenor of the region of Texas and commander of the Northern Frontier. He was also the founder of the town known as Tucson, Arizona ( statue left )
In the 18th century several bureaucrats and officers who represented Spain in Mexico were either Irish or of Irish decent. O'Connor was one of the most important and distinguished.
Hugh O'Connor who moved to Nueva Espa na ( 1767 ) to escape the harsh conditions that reigned in Ireland at the time. In his adopted homeland he became one of the most notable bureaucrats taking office as govenor of the region of Texas and commander of the Northern Frontier. He was also the founder of the town known as Tucson, Arizona ( statue left )
In the 18th century several bureaucrats and officers who represented Spain in Mexico were either Irish or of Irish decent. O'Connor was one of the most important and distinguished.
Commondore ' John Barry Kelly ' Father of the American Navy 1745-1803. John Barry was born in a modest cottage in 1745 at Ballysampson which is part of Tacumshin Parish County Wexford. This incredible man, the son of a poor Irish farmer went from Cabin boy to senior Commander of the entire United States Navy Fleet. His military record was incredible including the first person ever to capture a British vessel on the high seas.
John Nicholson, ' The Lion of the Punjab ' ( December 11th 1822 - September 23rd 1857 )
was a Victorian era military hero .Born in Dublin, the eldest son of Dr Alexander Jaffray Nicholson and Clara Hogg. Typical of many forgotten Irish soldiers and heroes and a good example of why i have built this website, Nicholson was an officer of the army of the British
East India Company. John Nicholson was instrumental in the settlement of the North-West Frontier and played a ' legendary ' part in the Indian Mutiny .
A charismatic and authoritarian figure, Nicholson created a legend for himself as a political
was a Victorian era military hero .Born in Dublin, the eldest son of Dr Alexander Jaffray Nicholson and Clara Hogg. Typical of many forgotten Irish soldiers and heroes and a good example of why i have built this website, Nicholson was an officer of the army of the British
East India Company. John Nicholson was instrumental in the settlement of the North-West Frontier and played a ' legendary ' part in the Indian Mutiny .
A charismatic and authoritarian figure, Nicholson created a legend for himself as a political
officer under Henry lawrence in the Frontier provinces of the British Empire in India. Involved in the First Anglo Sikh War as a junior officer, he was taken under the wing of Henry Lawrence along with several other similarly aged officers and was given much power as a political officer and later a District Commissioner. He was feared for his foul temper and authoritarian manner, but also gained respect of the Afghan tribes in the area for his fairhandeness and sense of honour. He inspired the short lived cult of Nikal Seyn, despite the fact that he did not conceal his distaste for Indians and even went as far as to have some of his worshippers imprisoned and whipped (none of which shook the steadfastness of their devotion! ) and inspired several contemporary sayings in Pakistan. he was best known for his role in the Sepoy Mutiny, planning and leading the storming of Delhi. Famously dismissive of the incompetence of his superiors, He said upon hearing of Wilson's hesitancy " Thank God i have yet the strength to shoot him if necessary ". He died on September 23rd 1857, in a small bungalow in the cantonments of Delhi, as a result of wounds received in the taking of the city nine days previously. One famous story recounted by Charles Allen in " Soldier Sahibs " is of a night during the Indian Mutiny when Brigadier General John Nicholson strode into the British mess tent at Jullunder, coughed to attract the attention of the officers, then said " I am sorry Gentlemen, to have to have kept you waiting for your dinner but i have been hanging your cooks" He had been told that the regimental chefs had poisoned the soup with aconite. When they refused to taste it for him, he forced fed it to a monkey- and when it expired on the spot , he proceeded to hang the cooks from the nearby tree. He became the Victorian " Hero of Delhi ", inspiring books, ballads and generations of young boys to join the Army. Nicholson is referenced is referenced in numerous literary works including Rudyad Kipiling's Kim, in which the patagonist Kim, meets an aged Rissaldar - Major ( a native NCO of Cavalry ). The man turns out to be a veteran of the Indian Mutiny, and in his interation with Kim, he is said tho sing the old song Nikal Seyn before Delhi. Dr Ali Jan in his paper " Nicholson of the Frontier " record: " a plain obelisk stands to on the crest of the Margalla Pass in Pakistan on the Grand Trunk road betwenn Peshawar and Osamabdb to honour the great soldier and administrator. Mr J.H Lyons, executive engineer, built the monument in 1868. Brigadier-General John Nicholson's Tombstone made from a white marble slab near Delhi's Kashmir gate, was a former garden seat of the Mughlas. His gallant service and untimely death are commemerated on a white marble memorial plaque at the Mutiny memorial, on the Ridge in New Delhi. A Tablet in the church at bannu where Nicholson served as Deputy Commissione from 1852 - 1854 carries the incription
Gifted in mind and body, he was as brilliant in government as in arms.
The snows of Ghazni attest his youthful fortitude; the songs of the Punjab his manly deedd; the peace of this frontier his strong rule.
The enenies of his country know how terrible he was in battle, and we his
Friends have to recall how gentle, generous, and true he was.
The snows of Ghazni attest his youthful fortitude; the songs of the Punjab his manly deedd; the peace of this frontier his strong rule.
The enenies of his country know how terrible he was in battle, and we his
Friends have to recall how gentle, generous, and true he was.
Nicholson died quite young. He was 34.
Captain and Lieutenant Colonel John Thomas de Burgh 13th Earl of Clanricarde
22nd Sptember 1744-27th July 1808, Irish nobleman and politician he was made a member of the Privy council of Ireland in 1801, He served with the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards and gained the rank of Lieutenat Colonel whilst in service with the 68th Regiment of Foot and was a veteran of the American War of Independence. He later founded the 88th Connaught Rangers, one of the British Army's most celebrated Irish Regiments.
He died at the age of 63 in Dublin, County of Dublin.
22nd Sptember 1744-27th July 1808, Irish nobleman and politician he was made a member of the Privy council of Ireland in 1801, He served with the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards and gained the rank of Lieutenat Colonel whilst in service with the 68th Regiment of Foot and was a veteran of the American War of Independence. He later founded the 88th Connaught Rangers, one of the British Army's most celebrated Irish Regiments.
He died at the age of 63 in Dublin, County of Dublin.
Count Thomas Arthur Lally de Tollendal: The O'Mullays or lallys originally occupied the vast fertile plains from Slieve Aughty Mountains in the South of Galway to the Mayo border in the north, but eventually settled in the parish of Taum. James and Gerard Lally were the sons of Thomas lally of Tullendaly, Taum Co. Galway.Their mother was the Hon. Jane Dillon, sister of the 7th Viscount Dillon. James the eldest of five brothers was outlawed and went to France in 1690 with his cousin, the Honourable Colonel Arthur Dillon; in whose regiment, as Colonel-Commandant, he was killed at Montmelian in 1691.
After the defeat of the Jacobites, Gerard also went to France.He married a french lady. Marie Anne de Bressac, and was father of Thomas Arthur Lally ( left ) 1702-1766 Baron de Tolendal, and Count de lally, whose name is inscribed on the Arc de Triumph in Paris
along with those of france's greatsest soldiers.
After the defeat of the Jacobites, Gerard also went to France.He married a french lady. Marie Anne de Bressac, and was father of Thomas Arthur Lally ( left ) 1702-1766 Baron de Tolendal, and Count de lally, whose name is inscribed on the Arc de Triumph in Paris
along with those of france's greatsest soldiers.
Gerard was brevetted a Brigadier with the Dillon regiment ( Part of the Irish Brigade fighting with the French )
Thomas Arthur lally was born in january 1702 at Romans in Dauphine, At an early age he was groomed to be a soldier and for a military career with the Irish Brigade. He fought in many campaigns and eventually met up with the British forces in India. Both sides were commanded by Irish Soldiers of genius, Colonel Eyre Coote and Thomas Arthur lally.
When Lally arrived in India in 1758 in command of a French Expedition, his experienced regiments were filled with officers bearing names like Murphy, O'Kenealy and O'kennedy. Coote's victory over lally was at Wandewash on 22nd January 1760. Lally eventually returned to France on his own request after being captured. He was beheaded in 1766 for treason by the French. Coote would write about Lally and his support from the French " There is not another man in all of India who could have kept on foot for the same length of time an army without pay and receiving no assistance from any quarter" Like Coote, Thomas Lally was a brilliant commander.
Thomas Arthur lally was born in january 1702 at Romans in Dauphine, At an early age he was groomed to be a soldier and for a military career with the Irish Brigade. He fought in many campaigns and eventually met up with the British forces in India. Both sides were commanded by Irish Soldiers of genius, Colonel Eyre Coote and Thomas Arthur lally.
When Lally arrived in India in 1758 in command of a French Expedition, his experienced regiments were filled with officers bearing names like Murphy, O'Kenealy and O'kennedy. Coote's victory over lally was at Wandewash on 22nd January 1760. Lally eventually returned to France on his own request after being captured. He was beheaded in 1766 for treason by the French. Coote would write about Lally and his support from the French " There is not another man in all of India who could have kept on foot for the same length of time an army without pay and receiving no assistance from any quarter" Like Coote, Thomas Lally was a brilliant commander.
