Military and Irish Interest: a hand-written personal journal belonging to Sir William Parker...

Note: William Parker Carrol, the eldest of five boys and two girls, was educated in Ennis and then at Trinity College Dublin. Carrol joined the 87th Regiment as a volunteer at the commencement of war with France in 1794, achieving the rank of Captain by 1800. In 1806 Carrol distinguished himself in the British expedition against Buenos Aires, frequently volunteering in dangerous situations, and after the forced British removal from Argentina Carrol offered himself as a hostage for the fulfilment of the treaty between the two armies, demonstrating in the process his skill as a translator and negotiator, and helping to secure the return of many British prisoners of war. Carrol was sent to Spain as Military Commissioner and took part in 28 different engagements, climbing to the rank of Lieutenant-General, and in 1810 was put in command of the Regiment of Hibernia as a Colonel. By the end of the war, he had achieved the rank of Major-General. In 1812 Carrol was awarded 'The Freedom of the City of Dublin', and in 1816 he was conferred with a knighthood. After Carrol's father died in 1816, Carrol retired on half-pay and returned to the family house at Tulla in Co. Tipperary, to manage the estate. However, by 1822 Carrol had been appointed Lieut. Colonel of the 18th Royal Irish Regiment of Foot, and subsequently posted to Malta. In 1825 he was posted to the Ionian Islands, from which time the entries in this journal begin. After contracting malaria in 1830 Carrol was forced to return home, but not before achieving the rank of Major-General. A brief revival of Carrol's military vocation occurred in 1839 as Commander of Forces for the Western Districts of Ireland. In 1841 Carrol received a brevet promotion to Lieutenant-General, a move which often foreshadows retirement, as proved to be the case. He died suddenly on 2 July 1842 and was buried in Kilkeary graveyard, where an impressive memorial highlighting his achievements and honours was erected by his son William Hutchinson, which stands to this day. 

Reference: The O’Carrol Papers: University of Limerick Special Collections, Reference Code: IE 2135 P49.