The Church | A Local Parishioner | Theobald Wolfe Tone

Theobald Wolfe Tone was born in 1763 in Dublin and baptized within St. Mary’s Church.  Originally, he wanted to be an actor but instead went on to study law at Trinity College.  He was active in the debate club and was elected Auditor in 1785. In 1791, he wrote an essay, “A Northern Whig,” which has said to have sold over 10,000 copies. By using these ideas from the essay, Theobald created and became a founding member of the United Irish Men.  In 1794, he joined the ideas of the French Invasion. As he tried to gather the French to join the invasion, the rebellion was happening in Ireland.
The French sent off 1,400 soldiers and 43 ships and Theobald was on them, but due to bad weather, they never landed in Ireland. Theobald attempted to send another fleet from France, and this time they had 1,000 men come over but it was too late.  The rebellion was almost over and most of the leaders were captured or dead.
On the third attempt, there was 3,000 men who were sent over from France.  But upon arrival, Theobald was recognized and captured by British forces. He was taken to Dublin to face trial and was given the death penalty.  When asked if he may get a soldiers death, where they are shot and killed in uniform, they said no and sentenced him to hanging. Theobald ultimately ended up cutting his throat with a penknife in prison and died a week later due to wounds before they could hang him.  He was recognized as an Irish Republican hero upon his death in 1798. Today, there stands a statue of Wolfetone in St. Stephens Green and is considered a martyr.