Whiskey in the Jar-oh! a scenario for Ireland Part 2

This part of Whiskey in the Jar-Oh! deals with the colourful figure of Michael Hogan a central character in the scenario and the story of the Rapparees.


Rapparees doing what they did best
‘Galloping’ Hogan


Michael ‘Galloping’ Hogan hailed from land in East Limerick. It is said that he may have been a disinherited landowner done wrong under the Cromwellian tyranny, this turning him to banditry. Possible, but for me the dates don’t really seem to fit. Unless he was an extremely young member of the landed gentry in Cromwellian times he would have been at least in his mid to late 50’s by the time of his adventures in the Jacobite era.



Michael 'Galloping' Hogan?

Bearing in mind that he went on to fight for the French with the Wild Geese in the 1690s and then joined the Portuguese Army becoming a general during the War of the Spanish Succession thereafter siring a large family, the Cromwellian tragedy seems unlikely. Alternative semi-biographical information relating to his later life in Portugal states that in 1737 he was in his mid-sixties. This means in 1691 he would have been between 18 and 20 and therefore born sometime around 1666-1670.


Rapparees with 'short pikes' a favoured weapon

His earliest claim to fame is that he may have guided Patrick Sarsfield (another Jacobite hero) and 500 Horse on their famous ‘Ride’ at Ballyneety during which the doughty troopers destroyed the Williamite siege train en route for Limerick. In the true spirit of stirring Irish legend, one contemporary account cites Hogan as the man given the honour of lighting the fuse which destroyed William’s guns and powder. Hogan apparently refused to give up the fight even after Jacobite capitulation in 1691.


The enemy.. are they lead by Captain Farrell of the song?


He finally left for France in 1692 with the last of the Wild Geese who flew away to fight for their King on the continent. He rose to the rank of General in the Army of Louis XIV but after killing a fellow officer of the Irish Brigade in a duel in 1706, he was compelled to leave France. Louis wished him no greater punishment due to his long and distinguished service. He headed for Portugal. He is credited with leading another great cavalry ride at the battle of Campus Maior in 1712.


A member of Hogan's 'Ride'

 Here it is said he used similar tactics to those employed in the Ballyneety raid by moving his force stealthily and coming upon his Spanish opponents by surprise thus winning a fine victory. By coincidence they numbered about 500-600 however this time he was not the scout but the commander.  He went on to play a distinguished part in Portuguese society and is even said to have directly intervened  against the power of the Portuguese Inquisition to save his nephew Dionysis (Dennis) Hogan, then also an officer of cavalry.


Could Hogan have been at Aughrim?


 Dennis was accused of heresy for joining the Freemasons after encouragement from a brother Scots officer. The descendants of ‘Clan Hogan’ apparently still live in Portugal. Hogan’s wonderful story is so exciting that is cries out for wargaming adventures to be built around it.