Thanks Coug,
This isn’t the first time continentals tried to stir the pot with the Irish. Look into the Rising of 1798 when they were convinced the French were going to ride to the rescue.
The best book on the subject as a one volume study is “The Year of the French” by Thomas Flanagan (IIRC). I wrote my junior thesis on this, fortunately my school, being ancient had such first order sources as Wolfe Tone’s “Unite Irishmen”.
I remember you telling me about “Unite Irishmen” (Untie Ireeshman after the Pub). I’ll have to go look into “The Year of the French”. At least my wife will take an interest too since it is Irish history.