History & Culture · Kilcullen
1798 memorial stone
A small but important monument marking Kilcullen’s connection with the 1798 Rebellion. The memorial offers families a simple way to explore local history, remembrance, and the story of the United Irishmen in County Kildare.
Overview
The 1798 Memorial Stone in Kilcullen is a quiet but meaningful reminder of one of the most dramatic moments in the town’s history. It commemorates Kilcullen’s connection with the Irish Rebellion of 1798, when local United Irishmen took part in fighting around Old Kilcullen and Kilcullen Bridge.
This is a small monument, but it opens the door to a big story: ordinary people, local families, and a town caught up in a national struggle for political change.
Why visit with children?
This is a good stop for families because it is easy to understand at a local level. Rather than starting with dates and battles, children can be encouraged to ask:
What was happening in Kilcullen in 1798?
Who were the people remembered here?
How do communities choose to remember difficult times?
The memorial can be visited as part of a short walk around Kilcullen, with nearby points of interest including Kilcullen Town Hall and The Spout. The memorial is also close to places associated with the wider 1798 story in the area.
The story behind the monument
On 24 May 1798, rebels gathered at Old Kilcullen as the rebellion began in County Kildare. Local accounts describe around 300 United Irishmen taking position near the old church and graveyard, where they faced government forces sent from Castlemartin. The first clash took place on the hill at Old Kilcullen, followed by further fighting near Kilcullen Bridge and Turnpike Hill.
The Battle of Kilcullen is remembered as one of the early engagements of the 1798 Rebellion in Kildare. It involved local rebels, government troops, yeomanry, and the wider network of military activity that spread across the county in the opening days of the rising.
What to look for
When visiting, take a moment to look at:
The inscription and wording on the stone
The setting of the memorial within the town
How a small monument can mark a much larger historical event
Nearby historic features that help connect the memorial to Kilcullen’s older streetscape
Family activity idea
Ask children to imagine they are creating a new heritage sign for the memorial. What three facts would they include? What question would they ask visitors to think about? This helps turn the stop into a short, reflective activity rather than just a place to pass by.
Good to know
This is best enjoyed as a short heritage stop rather than a long visit. Families may wish to combine it with a walk through Kilcullen or a visit to nearby historic locations connected with Old Kilcullen, Castlemartin, and the River Liffey.