French expedition to Ireland (1796)

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The French expedition to Ireland, known in French as the Expédition d'Irlande (French pronunciation: [ɛkspedisjɔ̃ diʁlɑ̃d], "Expedition to Ireland"), was an unsuccessful attempt by the French Republic to assist the outlawed Society of United Irishmen in their planned rebellion against British rule during the War of the First Coalition. France intended to land a large expeditionary force in Ireland during the winter of 1796–1797 which would join forces with the United Irishmen and overthrow British rule in Ireland. The French anticipated that a successful invasion would not only be a major blow to British morale, prestige and military effectiveness but allow for Ireland to serve as a staging point for an eventual invasion of Britain. In late 1796, the French Directory gathered a force of between 12,000 and 25,000 French Revolutionary Army troops at Brest under General Lazare Hoche in readiness for a landing at Bantry Bay in December. The operation was launched during one of the stormiest...

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