midnight
They were agan summoned for their arms , and cautioned to lower their demand for tithes . To this they sent an exasperating response of defiance , and a challenge , after which they seriously went about fortifying their dwelling , and putting it into the best posture of defence against the assault which they were very certain would be made on them sooner or later . They built a line of lofty strong stone walls around their house , offices , and other property , and , thus secure , they awaited anxiously the expected visit of their deadly enemies . In the meantime the messengers of vengeance passed through all the counties of Munster , with an account of the rebellious designs of the Bolands , against the majesty of midnight legislation ; and to collect levies of men , ammunition , army , and friends , for the purpose of making a certain destructive attack upon them . One evening , about the latter end of November , the roads and paths leading to the little village of Kilteely , a few miles to the east of Boland 's house , was observed to be more than usually thronged with men , on foot and on horseback , passing , as it were , to and from Limerick , and strangers , apparently , to all the inhabitants and to each other . Shortly after nightfall , the hill of Kilteely was seen covered with men and horses , and within an old ruined house on the top of the hill a dim light was seen to occasionally flitter . This ruin was full of respectably dressed men , and at one end of it , on chairs , and at a table , provided for the occasion , sat twelve of the most respectable of them , and a portly important-looking gentleman on an elevated chair at the end of the table .