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1. In Humbert’s Footsteps - 1798
The hilltops with glory were glowing,
Twas the eve of a bright harvest day
When the ships we’d been wearily waiting
Sailed into Killala’s broad bay.
(The Men of the West)
In August, 1798, or ‘The Year of the French,’ as this momentous year is often
called, French General Jean Joseph Amable Humbert commanding a small
expeditionary force landed at the ancient anchorage of Kilcummin in the
historic county of Mayo. The French arrived in three ships and came at the
invitation of a movement known as the United Irishmen. Irish volunteers
flocked to join the French ranks and very soon General Humbert’s newly-
formed ‘Franco-Irish Army’ had marched on and taken the old Episcopal City
of Killala in an engagement now referred to as “The First Battle of Killala.”
From Killala, Humbert’s men proceeded via Ballina to the village of
Lahardane, now titled “Ireland’s Titanic Village,” and from there, by a
mountainous route through the celebrated ‘Windy Gap’ they arrived at the
county town of Castlebar. In a battle since known as “The Races of Castlebar,”
Humbert’s small force soundly defeated a much larger British Army and took
Castlebar after which John Moore was appointed First President of the
Republic of Connaught. The majority of the British troops fled the town,
some galloping with breakneck speed as far as Athlone, county Westmeath.
The speed with which the British fled the field gave rise to the vernacular title
“The Races of Castlebar.”
It was near the end of August in the year of ‘98
When Killala saw the Frenchmen under Humbert at the gate.
It was only four days after amid laughter near and far,
When the panic-stricken British ran the Race of Castlebar.
(Races of Castlebar)

2. Mentioned by James Joyce in Ulysses and used by William Butler Yeats as
the historical backdrop to his play Caitlín ní Houlihan,this “short fatiguing
campaign,” as Lord Cornwallis, the British commander-in-chief described it,
was played out over four counties, occupied for a month the attention of a
British Army 100,000 strong, and ended in September with Humbert’s
surrender at Ballinamuck, in county Longford, and the re-taking of Killala.
“Had Humbert’s expedition not taken place at a period when the attention of
Europe was riveted by Bonaparte and his schemes of Oriental conquest, the
episode would doubtless have figured in history side by side with the Bridge
of Aricola, the Passage of the St. Bernhard, the Charge of the Light Brigade,
and other traditions.”
(Valerian Gribayédoff)
In Humbert’s Footsteps -2013“The Gathering”
Erin’s sons, be not faint-hearted,
Welcome, sing then Ca Ira
From Killala they are marching
To the tune of Viva La
(Rouse Hibernians)
In August, 2013, in a dramatic military and naval re-enactment of the
momentous events of 1798, a modern-day French General Jean Joseph
Amable Humbert will lead ashore a troop of specially invited military
re-enactors, from La Rochelle, at Kilcummin in County Mayo: just as the
real General Humbert did over two hundred years ago. From Kilcummin, the
French, ably supported by local volunteers or “Pikemen,” will proceed “In
Humbert’s Footsteps” as a Franco-Irish army to Killala. Once in Killala, just
as it happened in 1798, a battle to take the town will occur. The battle,
incorporating, upwards of one hundred French, British, and Irish re-enactors
will be colourfully and noisily played out, with muskets, cannon-guns, pikes,
drums and flags on the historic streets of Killala, as the “redcoats” attempt
to hold the town against the blue-clad French and their “frieze-coated” rebel
Irish allies. From Killala, the Franco-Irish will travel to Lahardane for a
dedication ceremony, before again advancing “In Humbert’s Footsteps”, by
the ‘Windy Gap’ and on to Castlebar, where a dramatic and equally colourful
and noisy re-enactment of the battle known as “The Races of Castlebar” will
take place on the streets of the town, followed by an official ceremony at the
grave of John Moore, First President of Connaught, on the town’s Mall.

3. And now we may laugh, dance and sing,
And drive the world before us;
Since ould Ireland’s our own again:
Then let us strike up this bould chorus.
Erin go bragh, go bragh,
Hurroo for ould Ireland for ever!
(Connaught in 1798, A Historical Tale)
In Humbert’s Footsteps - Re-Enactment Events August 2013
Killala: Friday, August 16 - Living History Event.
French Re-enactors will set up a typical 18th century French military camp in
Killala town. Complete with all the accoutrements used by General Humbert’s
soldiers in 1798, including tents, cooking-fires and weapons; this is a once in a
lifetime opportunity for the public to experience what life was like for a French
soldier of Humbert’s Army in 1798. All are welcome.
Kilcummin: Saturday, August 17 - Symbolic Re-Enactment of
French Landing.
Symbolic re-enactment of the French military landing at Kilcummin in 1798. The
arrival and coming ashore of the French will be accompanied by the presence of
vessels from the Irish, French, and British navies.
Killala: Saturday, August 17 -The Battle of Killala.
Make sure to be in Killala for the dramatic re-enactment of the ‘First Battle of
Killala.’ Watch enthralled as heavily armed redcoats, blue-clad French soldiers,
fierce Irish “pikemen” and assorted cavalry, march and gallop their way through the
smoke and noise of cannons, muskets, swords and pikes, as the battle to take Killala
is fought on the streets of this historic town. The landing of Humbert’s French force
in 1798 was communicated throughout the country in the form of a password, the
password was in Irish and read: ‘Tá do Charaid ag Chill Alaidh’ which translates as
‘Your Friends are at Killala.’ Despite time and tide that historic sentiment still rings
true, so why not meet up with old friends and make some new ones in Killala,
August 2013, at the Gathering that is ‘In Humbert’s Footsteps.’
Lahardane: Sunday, August 18 - Symbolic Dedication Ceremony.
Following in Humbert’s footsteps, on their way to Castlebar, the French Re-enactors
will stop in Lahardane for a symbolic visit and formal dedication ceremony to all the
men and women of ‘98.

4. Castlebar: Sunday, August 18- “The Races of Castlebar.”
In August 1798, General Humbert and his Franco-Irish Army arrived at Castlebar
having come from Lahardane by the ‘Windy Gap.’ In the battle which followed, the
battle now remembered in song and story as “The Races of Castlebar,” Humbert’s
small, largely un-trained force, defeated a much larger and much better equipped
British Army under the command of General Lake. The main theatres of action were
Staball Hill, the subsequent ‘Defence of the Bridge,’ the engagement on Main Street,
and at Christ Church. Despite the British flight from Castlebar, one of the French
Officers, Captain Jean-Louis Jobit later reported that the town proved to be “a tough
nut to crack for a little army like ours.” Mark this event in your diary, then walk with
friends, family, and loved ones, “In Humbert’s Footsteps” as you experience the
amazing re-enactment of the historical events of 1798. Come along and see the
redcoats being chased down Staball Hill, watch the cannon guns boom and bellow
from the bridge, be a witness to the action on Main Street and the decisive
engagement at Christ Church. Then, join with the dignitaries at a dedication and
remembrance ceremony for those from all sides who participated in the Rebellion of
1798.
Plus
First public screening of the mini-TV series The Year of the French-Also meet some
of the cast members; enjoy wonderful commemorative banquets in both Killala and
Castlebar; International Poetry, Prose, Short-story and Music Competitions;
Concerts; International Football Tournaments; Twinnings; Live radio and T.V.
Broadcasts and much, much more! Make sure to follow “In Humbert’s Footsteps,”
August, 2013- Looking forward to seeing you all in county Mayo.
Beatha agus Sláinte-Life and Health
For more information check out:
www.humbertsfootsteps.com and
www.facebook.com/InHumbertsFootsteps