General Humbert and his small French Army landed in Killala Bay in 1798 after being invited by the united Irishmen, though many of his ships never arrived due to a terrible storm. Irish volunteers flocked to join the French forces, and the French won battles at Killala and Castlebar against large British opposition. However, the rebellion was short-lived, lasting just one month across four counties, before Humbert surrendered in Ballinamuck.