The below link is a light intro into the Irish Piquets (Pickets) who were part of the Irish Regiment of the French Army. The Piquets fought at The Battle of Culloden in 1746. Fr. Arthur Anthony Cowell, buried in Ballyeglish Old Graveyard, had a grave inscription that stated that he fought at Culloden.
His epitaph ran thus:
Rev Arthur Anthony Conwell, Parish Priest of Ardtrea from 1756 to 1809. Died July 1809 aged 98 years. Before he was ordained a priest he fought on April 16, 1746 under Prince Charles at the battle of Culloden where he received on his face and breast the sabre wounds the scars of which he carried to his grave.
The Battle of Culloden was the last pitched battle on the island of Britain. It was a game-changer at the time, and effectively ended any feasible Catholic claim to the English throne. It also had a knock-on effect in Ireland, not least in the life of Arthur Conwell, who remained committed to the preservation of the Catholic faith in his land, and subsequently left his mark upon it.
Further research is need, and is ongoing, into the life of Rev A.A. Conwell. The Ballyeglish Society is determined to learn more about his motivations and interventions. We suspect that the information is out there, but locating it might prove to be a problem. Yet, hope springs eternal and we persevere. As we discover more about this formidable person, and the events of his life, we will post it on this website so that you can share in the story.
Bígí linn
The Ballyeglish Society 
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