Many women have played leading roles throughout Irish history. One such woman who led from the front was Molly Weston from the lovely countryside of Wolganstown, Oldtown in north County Dublin.

During the famous rebellion of 1798, five siblings left their home outside Oldtown, on a five hour walk due west, to the historic Hill of Tara in County Meath. Here rebels had been gathering for a march on Dublin. Men and women from Meath, Kildare and west and north Dublin were assembling, this being one of a number of strategic locations forming a crescent shape around Dublin. Of the five leaving Oldtown, there were four brothers and one sister called Molly Weston.

The English Authorities were not prepared to let rebels march on Dublin and decided that attack is the best form of defence. Therefore the Authorities made haste for Tara hill to duly do battle with the rebel incumbents on the 26th May.

When the Reagh fencibles attacked the rebels on Tara hill, Molly Weston played a lead role in the fightback. Dressed in a striking green outfit and riding atop a white horse, she led charge after charge against the Reagh fencibles, rousing the rebels in defiant action.

When the battle ended the rebels were defeated and 400 rebels lay dead. Among their number were Molly and her four brothers destined never to return to the green fields of Wolganstown.

Location:https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Z6jdVmHozJipApt5

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