The Siege of Limerick 1691: The Treaty That Changed Ireland

The History of Ireland: Rebellion, Empire, and Independence — Fexingo History · Jun 5, 2026 · 6m · transcript

In 1691, the fate of Ireland hung on the walls of Limerick. After the Battle of the Boyne, the Jacobite forces regrouped under Patrick Sarsfield, holding the city through a brutal summer siege. This episode follows the negotiations that produced the Treaty of Limerick—a document that promised Catholic toleration but was swiftly broken by the Protestant Ascendancy. We explore Sarsfield's daring raid at Ballyneety, the breakdown of talks, and the bitter choice between surrender and annihilation. The treaty's articles became the foundation for the Penal Laws that crushed Catholic…