Lost hero

The 14th book from RTE's Tom McCaughren got a rather splendid send off on July 11th when he read extracts to 200 guests on the…

The 14th book from RTE's Tom McCaughren got a rather splendid send off on July 11th when he read extracts to 200 guests on the lawn at Ballinderry House in Broadford, Co Kildare. Ride A Pale Horse tells the story surrounding the attack by General Joseph Holt and the United Irishmen on the house of the high sheriff of Kildare, Lieut Thomas Tyrrell, near Clonard on July 11th, 1798. The nephew of Jasper Tyrrel, Alan Cox, invited members of the Tyrrell family from here and from the US as well as descendants of some of the rebels from the battle to mark the events in a spirit of commemoration and reconciliation. The atmosphere on the occasion was in great contrast, it was remarked, to what was happening at Drumcree. McCaughren, who has based his latest book on Holt's memoirs, the Tyrrell family history and other sources, says history has not accorded Holt the recognition he deserves, even though he went on to become the last commander-inchief of the rebels.