Before the Irish Rebellion, during the late 1790’s Britain’s position in Ireland was under threat. Radicals belonging to Wolfe Tone’s United Irishman became actively engaged in military preparations to oppose British rule. This tempted the French to send troops to their support.
In February 1797 a French fleet on the way to Ireland become forced to seek shelter in the Welsh port of Fishguard. The Pembrokeshire Militia captured all the French soldiers put ashore. The incident did nothing to ease government fears of enemy interference in Irish affairs.
One result become a policy of ruthless repression, carried out by locally raised militia and Yeomanry units, that crippled the United Irishmen. In desperation, the remaining radicals rose in revolt, capturing Wexford by the end of May 1798.
In the event, the rebellion became easily put down. Despite a shortage of regular troops and a dismal record of ill disciple among the Irish militia. The British closed in on the rebels, defeating them at Vinegar Hill on 21st June 1798.
However, the French had hastily prepared a force of 9,000 veteran troops under General Joseph Humbert. He landed at Killala, County Mayo, on 22nd August 1798.
The French, were gathering support as they went. They advanced to Castlebar and after defeating a British force under Major-General Gerard Lake, crossed the River Shannon. But they could do no more. Major-General Lake, reinforced by British regulars, outmanoeuvred General Humbert and forced him to surrender at Ballinamuck on 8th September 1798.
The threat to British security was over. Although the subsequent repression of the Irish people became to be long remembered. The rebellion was to have an equally long memorial in the British Army.
12th January 1799, King George III ordered that the 5th (Royal Irish) Regiment of Dragoons. Among whom a conspiracy had been discovered during the Irish Rebellion, was to be disbanded.
It had not re-raised until February 1858, by which time it became regarded as a junior regiment. Thus, when it became amalgamated with the 16th The Queen’s Lancers in 1922. The latter took precedence, producing the seemingly illogical title of 16th/5th.