Peter Burrowes

While still a student at the Middle Temple, in 1784, he published a pamphlet on Catholic Emancipation, which introduced him to the notice of Flood and the other leading Irish patriots.

In 1790, along with Wolfe Tone and others, he founded a society in Dublin for the discussion of literary and political subjects.

In a duel which he fought at Kilkenny in 1794 with Somerset Butler, his life was only saved by the ball striking against some coppers which he happened to have in his waistcoat pocket.

Though he did not share in the more extreme views of the United Irishmen, he was a zealous supporter of all the most important measures of reform.

Along with thirteen other king's counsel, on 9 December 1798, he protested against the proposals for a union with Great Britain, and after being elected member for Enniscorthy in February 1800 he continued, as long as the Irish parliament existed, persistently to oppose the measure.