The Wild Geese: Ireland's Exile to Europe

The History of Ireland: Rebellion, Empire, and Independence — Fexingo History · Oct 13, 2026 · 10m · transcript

We trace the story of the Wild Geese, the thousands of Irish soldiers who left Ireland after the Treaty of Limerick in 1691. Unlike the convicts sent to America, these were trained officers and experienced troops who chose exile over submission. They found service in France’s Army of Ireland, Spain’s tercio, and even Russia’s imperial guard, carrying Irish regiments across the continent for a century. We explore how this military diaspora shaped European warfare, from the Battle of Blenheim to the Jacobite risings, and why their loyalty was often more valuable than their homeland’s. This…