MacNEVIN, Thomas. The History of The Volunteers of 1782. Centenary Edition.

Dublin: James Duffy and Sons, n.d. (c.1882). 12mo. pp. 250. Publisher's green cloth, with a harp surrounded by a cluster of shamrocks in gilt on upper cover, title in gilt on spine. Some light wear to extremities, otherwise a very good copy. Porch D The Volunteers (also known as the Irish Volunteers) were local militias raised by local initiative in Ireland in 1778. Their original purpose was to guard against invasion and to preserve law and order at a time when British soldiers were withdrawn from Ireland to fight abroad during the American Revolutionary War and the government failed to organise its own militia. Taking advantage of Britain's preoccupation with its rebelling American colonies, the Volunteers were able to pressure Westminster into conceding legislative independence to the Dublin parliament. Members of the Belfast 1st Volunteer Company laid the foundations for the establishment of the United Irishmen organisation. The majority of Volunteer members however were inclined towards the yeomanry, which fought and helped defeat the United Irishmen in the Irish rebellion of 1798.

[L3 Moveable Bookcase at door]