The Siege of Limerick 1691: The Treaty That Wasn't Kept

The History of Ireland: Rebellion, Empire, and Independence — Fexingo History · Jul 11, 2026 · 4m · transcript

In 1691, Limerick became the last stronghold of Jacobite Ireland. After a summer of bombardment, disease, and desperate negotiations, Patrick Sarsfield and the French general Marquis de St Ruth faced the Williamite army under Godert de Ginkell. The resulting Treaty of Limerick promised religious toleration and property rights—but the Irish Parliament quickly broke every article. This episode follows the siege day by day, from Sarsfield's daring raid at Ballyneety to the broken Treaty Stone that still stands in the city. We look at the civilian cost, the fate of the Wild Geese who sailed…