Society of United Irishmen Scarf

Q: I bought a green scarf a few years ago that says “The Heroes of ’98” above a center picture of Lord Edward Fitzgerald. Pictured in the corners are William Orr, Robert Emmet, Theobald Wolfe Tone, and Henry Joy McCracken. Who are these men and what is it commemorating?

A: The men on your scarf were leaders of the Society of United Irishmen, founded in Belfast, Ireland, in 1791. The Society aimed to unite Catholics, Protestants, and dissenters to expand civil rights, reform the Irish parliament, and gain control from Britain but it was not successful. Lord Edward Fitzgerald was head of the military committee that planned to start a rebellion in 1798. Fitzgerald and others were arrested before the rebellion started. William Orr was tried for treason and sent to the gallows in 1797. Fitzgerald was shot when he resisted arrest. He died in prison. Henry Joy McCracken was arrested, court martialed, and hanged. Theobald Wolfe Tone was captured and sentenced to hang but took his own life. A warrant was issued for Robert Emmet’s arrest, but he escaped and left the country. He returned to Ireland to lead another rebellion in 1803 but was captured, tried, and hanged.