Kelly's column of 800 men attacked and broke through Ross's "Three Bullet Gate" and proceeded into the town itself.
After initial success, they were eventually beaten back by the government forces and Kelly was wounded in the leg.
He was hanged on 25 June 1798 along with seven other rebel leaders on Wexford bridge, after which his body was decapitated, the trunk thrown into the River Slaney and the head kicked through the streets before being set on display on a spike.
[4] His exploits are commemorated in the famous Irish ballad Kelly the Boy From Killane written by Patrick Joseph McCall (1861–1919).
[citation needed] What's the news, what's the news oh my bold Shelmalier With your long-barrelled guns from the sea Say what wind from the south brings a messenger here With the hymn of the dawn for the free Goodly news, goodly news do I bring youth of Forth Goodly news shall you hear Bargy man For the boys march at dawn from the south to the north Led by Kelly the boy from Killane Tell me who is that giant with the gold curling hair He who rides at the head of your band Seven feet is his height with some inches to spare And he looks like a king in command Ah my boys that's the pride of the bold Shelmaliers 'Mongst greatest of heroes a man Fling your beavers aloft and give three ringing cheers For John Kelly the boy from Killane Enniscorthy's in flames and old Wexford is won And tomorrow the Barrow we will cross On a hill o'er the town we have planted a gun That will batter the gateway to Ross All the Forth men and Bargy men will march o'er the heath With brave Harvey to lead in the van But the foremost of all in that grim gap of death Will be Kelly the boy from Killane But the gold sun of freedom grew darkened at Ross And it set by the Slaney's red waves And poor Wexford stripped naked, hung high on a cross With her heart pierced by traitors and slaves Glory-o, glory-o to her brave sons who died For the cause of long down-trodden man Glory-o to Mount Leinster's own darling and pride Dauntless Kelly the boy from Killane