Expédition d'Irlande

The Expédition d'Irlande ("Expedition to Ireland") is an unsuccessful attempt by the First French Republic during the French Revolutionary Wars to assist the outlawed Society of United Irishmen, a popular rebel Irish republican group, in their planned rebellion against British rule.

The French intend to land a large expeditionary force in Ireland during the winter of 1796–1797 which will join with the United Irishmen and drive the British out of Ireland.

The French anticipate that this will be a major blow to British morale, prestige and military effectiveness, and is also intended to possibly be the first stage of an eventual invasion of Britain itself.

To this end, the French Directory gathers a force of approximately 15,000 soldiers at Brest under General Lazare Hoche during late 1796, in readiness for a major landing at Bantry Bay in December.The operation is launched during one of the stormiest winters of the 18th century, with the French fleet unprepared for such severe conditions.

Patrolling British frigates observe the departure of the fleet and notify the British Channel Fleet, most of which is sheltering at Spithead for the winter.

The French fleet is subjected to confused orders as it leaves port and is scattered across the approaches to Brest: one ship is wrecked with heavy loss of life and the others widely dispersed.

Separated, most the French fleet manages to reach Bantry Bay late in December, but its commanders are driven miles off course and without them the fleet is unsure of what action to take, with amphibious landings impossible due to the weather conditions, which are the worst recorded since 1708.

Within a week, the fleet has broken up, small squadrons and individual ships making their way back to Brest through storms, fog and British patrols.The British are largely unable to effectively interfere with the French fleet before, during or after the invasion.

A few ships operating from Cork capture isolated French warships and transports, but the only significant British response comes from Captain Sir Edward Pellew, who is able to drive the French ship of the line Droits de l'Homme ashore in the Action of 13 January 1797 with the loss of over 1,000 lives.

In total, the French lose twelve ships captured or wrecked and thousands of soldiers and sailors drowned, without a single man reaching Ireland except as a prisoner of war.

Both navies are criticized by their governments for their behavior during the campaign, but the French are encouraged to launch a second attempt in 1798, successfully landing 2,000 men in August but failing to influence the Irish Rebellion and again losing significant numbers of men and ships.

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