Myles Byrne

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Myles Byrne (1780-1862) was a leader in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and chef de bataillon in Napoleon’s Irish Legion.

Byrne was born in County Wexford, Ireland.

Byrne participated in preparations for 1798 Rising, fought at Oulart, Enniscorthy, Clough, Battle of Arklow and the Battle of Vinegar Hill. He escaped to France after the British Forces brutally quashed the Pikemen. In France he eventually became Brigadier General and leader of Napoleon’s Irish Brigade, and was awarded the Legion of Honour. In his later years he wrote his memoirs, Memoirs of Miles Byrne, which are an account of his participation in the Irish rebellion and his time in the Irish Brigade. He died in Paris in 1862 and was buried in Montmartre Cemetery.