During the troublesome times prior to the 1798 Rebellion led by the United Irishmen, the congregation's minister, the Reverend William Holmes, an opponent of the rebel cause, formed and drilled The Ballyeaston Yeomanry.
During a time of unrest preceding the 1798 rebellion led by the United Irishmen, the minister of the congregation, Reverend William Holmes, who opposed the rebels, formed and trained The Ballyeaston Yeomanry.