Relative of Wicklow rebel leader Michael Dwyer returns to his roots during visit from Australia

A descendant of the patriot's fifth child, James Ignatius Dwyer, John was invited by Glenmalure native, Councillor Pat Kennedy, and the Arklow Municipal District to spend the week seeing historical sites associated with Michael Dwyer, who is revered for his role as the insurgent captain in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

With the bi-centenary of Dwyer's death taking place next August, the visit took on huge significance and was made possible thanks to months of planning by Cllr Kennedy, Shane Brady and Arklow MD staff.

Shortly after setting foot on Irish soil, John was invited to the Arklow MD chamber, where local historian Carmel O'Toole, who wrote 'Glenmalure, The Wild Heart of the Mountains', delivered an insightful presentation on Dwyer's past, from his guerrilla campaign against British Crown forces following defeat in the rebellion to him and his wife Mary Doyle's exiling to New South Wales in Australia as a free man in 1806.

Noting significant local locations synonymous with the legendary figure, including 'Michael Dwyer's Chair', Ms O'Toole said: "Although more than 220 years have passed since the surrender and transportation of Michael Dwyer and his comrades from Wicklow to Australia, the name Michael Dwyer is still remembered with fondness and respect throughout this county and beyond".

Detailing his ancestor's 'tragic' journey after reaching Australia, John then told the chamber how Michael Dwyer had been imprisoned, but ultimately acquitted, of plotting an Irish insurrection against the British rule in New South Wales, was later appointed Chief of Police in Liverpool, Sydney and was committed to a debtors' prison where he contracted dysentery, which is commonly thought to have claimed his life.

Dispelling that notion, John said that his death was likely down to alcohol, before explaining that, in 1898, his remains were re-interred in Waverley Cemetery, Sydney, where a crowd of over 200,000 attended the ceremony.

"I'm very much honoured to be with you this afternoon, and I'm going to enjoy this week immensely, visiting places where Michael was," John said.

"The welcome I have received since I've been here, and I've only been here about 36 hours, has been quite extraordinary," John began.

"I'm sure I'll hear lots of stories. I don't think it is possible to celebrate the legend from the facts.

"History is told by people who either were the winners or the people who did the admiring. Nonetheless, it's all goodness in many ways, even though it is a tragic period in Irish history.

"Thank you very much for receiving me this afternoon."

Thanking John and Carmel for their insights, Cllr Pat Kennedy praised all those who made the occasion possible, saying: "Next year will be the bi-centenary of Michael Dwyer's death and it was great to meet with his closest loving relative ahead of the anniversary.

"I'd like to thank John for being with us here today, and I hope he enjoys his week exploring the history of his ancestors.

"I grew up in Glenmalure, I still live there, and I grew up on the stories of Michael Dwyer

"Not only that, the generations below me are all interested in history, and that's thanks to Carmel (O'Toole)."

Concluding the engagement, councillors Sylvester Bourke, Pat Fitzgerald, Peir Leonard and Warren O'Toole thanked John for enlightening them, commenting on how it deepened their knowledge of local history and heritage while highlighting the human connections that have spanned hundreds of years.

An overjoyed John was then presented with a copy of Ms O'Toole's acclaimed book, which contains a chapter on the Rebellion and Michael Dwyer, with John commenting that he would cherish reading it.