In 1898 Limerick Corporation was considered a Nationalist Corporation and so it was no surprise when Councillor Kivelihan proposed a resolution to commemorate 1798 by the renaming of key streets in the city centre, The resolution was unanimously passed and the following streets were identified for renaming though only one of the decisions were would become final.
Freeman’s Journal 03 June 1898:
That to commemorate this Centenary year of the insurrection of 1798, some or all of the following streets, or any other streets the council may decide upon, be renamed as follows:
William Street to Wolfe Tone Street (Remained William Street)
Henry Street to Henry Grattan Street (Remained Henry Street)
Nelson Street to Lord Edward Fitzgerald Street (Became Parnell Street)
Military Road to Robert Emmet Street (Became O’Connell Avenue)
George Street to O’Connell Street (Became O’Connell Street)
Colooney Street, to which much objection has been taken, is also to be renamed. (Became Wolfe Tone Street)
1798 marked the Irish Rebellion. In 1791 ‘The United Irishmen’ who were formed having been inspired by the revolutionary ideas of the 1789 French Revolution. The United Irishmen staged a revolt in an attempt to create a Republic of Ireland. During the five months between 23 May and 15 September 1798 about 30,000 people were killed as a direct result of the rebellion.