O'Moore visited the country, went through the several provinces, and, by communicating with the chiefs personally, organised the conspiracy to expel the British and recover the kingdom for Charles II.

and the Pope.
The plan agreed upon by the confederates was this:--A rising when the harvest was gathered in; a simultaneous attack on all the English fortresses; the surprise of Dublin Castle, said to contain arms for 12,000 men; and to obtain for these objects all possible aid, in officers, men, and arms, from the Continent.

The rising took place on the night of October 22, 1641.

It might have been completely successful if the Castle of Dublin had been seized.

It seemed an easy prey, for it was guarded only by a few pensioners and forty halberdiers, who would be quickly overpowered.