Peter Ivers (United Irishmen)


Peter Ivers was a leading member of the United Irishmen, an 18th-century Irish republican revolutionary organisation involved in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Life

Ivers was born in Tinryland, County Carlow, the only son of Jemmy Ivers. Listed as a carpet-maker, he was described as a young man of good education and of striking personality. As a prominent member of the United Irishmen in Carlow with great influence, he was elected as a member of the provincial committee in Dublin.

Arrest and exile

Ivers was one of 13 leading members of the Leinster United Irish arrested at the home of Oliver Bond on 12 March 1798. The arrests, undertaken on the information of a government informer, crippled the United Irish leadership in the province and gravely affected the course and chances of success of the impending revolution. This was particular the case in Carlow, where Ivers had been covetous with information and planning, meaning that those left to take up the fight there, were ill-trained and unaware of grander plans.
While two members of the Directory were executed, Ivers was held in Kilmainham Gaol until 1799 when he was convicted of treason and sentenced to deportation. He was transported to Australia, landing in Sydney in 1800.