Killala was the site of the first battle of the French force of General Humbert in the 1798 Rebellion. On August 22, 1798, Humbert landed at nearby Kilcummin Harbor with 1,109 troops with the objective of supporting the United Irishmen. The force quickly seized the town. Humbert advanced to Ballina, which he captured with little trouble. The force then moved further and on August 27 it won a battle in Castlebar against larger force commanded by General Lake.