Before Tone could finalize new plans, Irish rebels began an uprising in County Wexford in the spring of 1798. Located in southeast Ireland, Wexford rebels (who destroyed the Protestant Church at Ennisworthy) believed the French could easily come to their aid. However, Napoleon Bonaparte was now Commander of the French Army, and he had plans for his troops. Those plans did not include battles in Ireland.

By the time a French relief expedition was hastily put together, Irish rebels had been defeated at Vinegar Hill in County Wexford. Communication then was not like communication today. French forces showed up two months too late.