Hi..
Just when i heard of Hempenstal it reminded me of hearing about 'the Walking gallows' Hempenstal, an officer in the Wicklow malitia i think, around about the 1798 period i think in the Ballymore, Moyvore area of Westmeath. You probably know of him though.. he's kind of a legend in the area. He was this very large man who used to tie a noose around the neck of captured rebels and swing them over his shoulder and hang them as he walked along. he was feared and hated by the local irish.