23 Facts About Michael Dwyer

Michael Dwyer was an insurgent captain in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, leading the United Irish forces in battles in Wexford and Wicklow.

Michael Dwyer was appointed Chief of Police in Liverpool, Sydney in 1813.

Michael Dwyer was the eldest of four brothers and three sisters in the Catholic family of John Dwyer of Camara in Imaal and Mary Byrne, daughter of Charles Byrne of Cullentragh.

At Ballyhubbock school in Imaal, Michael Dwyer received his education from its master, a man whom Michael Dwyer greatly admired for his patriotism.

In 1784, John Michael Dwyer moved his family to Eadestown in Imaal where they reared sheep, on land procured for them with the help of Robert Emmet's family.

Michael Dwyer joined the Society of United Irishmen in the spring of 1797.

Michael Dwyer made his way to Mount Pleasant near Tinahely where the United Irishmen of Wicklow were gathering under Billy Byrne.

Michael Dwyer's force was strengthened by many deserters from the government's conscript militia, who headed to Wicklow as the last rebel stronghold and who became the dedicated backbone of his force, as they could not be expected to be included in any future offer of amnesty.

Michael Dwyer relied on a large and extended kin network that included the families of Anne Devlin and Hugh Vesty Byrne of Kirikee, allowing him to develop a series of dugouts, caves and safe houses.

In December 1803, Michael Dwyer finally capitulated on terms that would allow him safe passage to America but the government reneged on the agreement, holding him in Kilmainham Jail until August 1805, when they transported him to New South Wales as an un-sentenced exile.

Michael Dwyer arrived in Sydney on 14 February 1806 on the Tellicherry and was given free settler status.

Michael Dwyer was accompanied by his wife Mary and their eldest children and by his companions, Hugh 'Vesty' Byrne and Martin Burke, along with Arthur Devlin and John Mernagh.

Michael Dwyer was given a grant of 40.5 ha of land on Cabramatta Creek in Sydney.

On 11 May 1807, Michael Dwyer was charged with conspiring to mount an Irish insurrection against British rule.

Michael Dwyer did not deny that he had said that all Irish will be free but he did deny the charges of organising an Irish insurrection in Sydney.

Michael Dwyer had the powerful support of Australia's first Jewish policeman, John Harris, who expressed the opinion in court that he did not believe that Michael Dwyer was organising a rebellion against the Government in Sydney.

On 18 May 1807, Michael Dwyer was found not guilty of the charges of organising an Irish insurrection in Sydney.

The historian James Sheedy, considers that Michael Dwyer was actually dismissed for supporting his friend Arthur Devlin against the Authorities, and another United Irishman, Denis Molloy, about the same time was hanged for cattle duffing, leaving one of his orphan daughters to be reared by Michael Dwyer and his wife Mary.

Michael Dwyer was released from incarceration on 24 May 1825 he had evidently contracted dysentery during that incarceration, to which he succumbed on 23 August 1825.

Michael Dwyer had seven children and has numerous descendants throughout Australia.

In 2002, in Bungendore near Canberra, a family reunion took place, with Michael Dwyer's descendants joining descendants of related Australian Irish families, the Donoghoes and the Doyles.

Michael Dwyer is depicted as one of the few survivors of Vinegar Hill in the 2015 American musical "Guns of Ireland".

Michael Dwyer was brought to Australia as a politically arranged un-sentenced rebel exile in 1806.