The Flight of the Wild Geese: Ireland's Lost Soldiers in Europe

The History of Ireland: Rebellion, Empire, and Independence — Fexingo History · Jun 10, 2026 · 7m · transcript

In the aftermath of the Treaty of Limerick in 1691, thousands of Irish soldiers—Jacobites who had fought for King James II—chose exile over submission to Williamite rule. This episode tells the story of the Wild Geese, the Irish regiments who scattered across Europe and fought in the armies of France, Spain, and Austria for over a century. Lucas and Luna explore the departure from Irish shores, the formation of the Irish Brigade in French service, and the legendary bravery at battles like Cremona, Fontenoy, and Ramillies. They examine the personal cost of exile—soldiers who never saw Ireland…