The arrival of the insurgent leaders was hailed with joy by the people, and there was no doubt of the readiness of the populace to fight.

But an examination of the military resources of the place showed that the British forces consisted of 1,000 troops in a strongly-defended position, while amongst the Irish there were but 200 armed men and the gunsmiths' shops in the city could not arm a hundred more.

The decision not to strike the first blow at Kilkenny in the circumstances was inevitable.

It was agreed to make for Carrick-on-Suir, another Young Ireland town, seize the place and march at the head of the elated Tipperarymen on Kilkenny.

On Monday, July 24th, O'Brien, Meagher and Dillon left for Carrick-on-Suir, and on the way they were received with enthusiasm at Callan, where the 8th Hussars--mainly composed of Irishmen--manifested sympathy with the insurrectionary propaganda.