Latest / The History of Ireland: Rebellion, Empire, and Independence — Fexingo History / The Irish Brigade at Fontenoy: Victory in Exile
Transcript
- Lucas: So, we've talked a lot about the Wild Geese — the Irish soldiers who left after the Treaty of Limerick in '91. But I want to zoom in on one specific moment where they really made their mark: the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745. It's one of those battles where the Irish Brigade became legendary. Luna: Fontenoy — that's in the War of the Austrian Succession, right? Lucas: Exactly. The French were up against a coalition led by the British, the Dutch, and the Austrians. The French commander was Maurice de Saxe, a brilliant tactician, and he had a significant number of Irish troops in his army — the Irish Brigade. These were the descendants of the soldiers who had followed Patrick Sarsfield into exile. Lucas: The battle took place near the village of Fontenoy in what's now Belgium. The British and their allies were trying to relieve the siege of Tournai. De Saxe had fortified a position, but the British infantry, particularly the Foot Guards, launched a ferocious assault. They broke through the French lines in the centre and seemed on the verge of victory. Luna: So the Irish were called in to stop the breakthrough? Lucas: Yes. The French had been pushed back, and the British Guards were advancing in perfect order, led by the Duke of Cumberland. De Saxe ordered a cavalry charge, but it failed. Then he ordered the Irish Brigade to counter-attack. The Irish regiments — Dillon's, Clare's, Roth's — they were held in reserve, and now they were thrown into the breach. Lucas: What happened next became the stuff of legend. The Irish advanced shouting their war cry, 'Cuimhnigí ar Luimneach!' — remember Limerick. They fired a devastating volley into the British ranks, then charged with bayonets. The British Guards, who had been so steady, broke and fled. The Irish pursued them, and the battle turned decisively in favour of the French. Luna: That's incredible. So the Irish basically won the battle for the French. Lucas: In many ways, yes. Contemporary accounts say the Irish fought with a kind of fury that the British hadn't expected. One British officer wrote that they came on 'like furies'. The Irish had a personal stake — many of them had fathers or grandfathers who had fought at Limerick, and they saw the British as their oppressors. But it's also a bittersweet story, because they were fighting for a foreign king, Louis XV, not for Ireland. Lucas: And the French certainly recognised their contribution. After the battle, de Saxe praised them highly. The Irish Brigade became a permanent fixture in the French army, and they fought in many later campaigns. Fontenoy was their finest hour, though. Luna: Did any of the Irish officers become famous from this battle? Lucas: Yes, several. One was Count Patrick O'Brien, who commanded a regiment. Another was James Fitz-James, the Duke of Berwick, though he was actually a French marshal of English Jacobite stock. But the most famous Irish name associated with Fontenoy is probably Lord Clare — Charles O'Brien, the 6th Viscount Clare. He led Clare's Regiment and was wounded in the battle. His men were known for their discipline and courage. Lucas: There's also a famous poem about Fontenoy by Thomas Davis, written in the 19th century. It captures the spirit of the Irish charge: 'Remember Limerick!' But it also mourns the fact that the Irish were fighting for France, not for their own land. Luna: It must have been a strange feeling — being Irish and fighting in a French uniform against the British. Lucas: Absolutely. The Irish Brigade was made up of men who had lost their homes, their lands, their rights. For many, fighting for France was both a profession and a way to continue the struggle against England. They hoped that a French victory might lead to a Jacobite restoration in Britain and Ireland, but that never happened. Fontenoy was a military triumph, but politically it changed nothing for Ireland. Lucas: It's worth noting that the Irish Brigade had a distinct identity within the French army. They maintained their own language, customs, and even their own chaplains. They were Catholics, of course, in a mostly Catholic army, but they were a tight-knit community. Their flags often featured harps and the motto 'In Hoc Signo Vinces' — in this sign you shall conquer, a reference to the cross. Luna: How long did the Irish Brigade continue to exist in France? Lucas: They served the French crown for over a hundred years, right through the French Revolution. But the Revolution was their undoing. The Irish regiments were disbanded in 1791, because they were seen as too royalist and aristocratic. Many officers emigrated or were executed. Some joined the British army, which is ironic. Others went to the United States. It was the end of a remarkable tradition. Lucas: But Fontenoy remained their proudest moment. Even today, there are commemorations in Ireland and in France. The battle is a symbol of Irish courage and the tragedy of exile. It's a story that resonates because it shows how the Irish diaspora shaped European history in ways that are often overlooked. Luna: It's a powerful story. And it's amazing how much detail survives from that day. Lucas: Well, if today's episode made you think about history in a new way, or if you just enjoyed the conversation, consider supporting the show. It's ad-free and relies on listeners like you. If it was worth a coffee to you, that's all it takes — buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Honestly, even the smallest gesture helps keep these stories alive. Luna: Yeah, it really does make a difference. And we're grateful for everyone who chips in. Lucas: So back to Fontenoy — one more detail I find fascinating: the Irish used a tactic called 'fire by platoons' with devastating effect. They drilled it constantly. At Fontenoy, their volley was so well-timed that it tore through the British ranks. It was a testament to their professionalism, not just their passion. Luna: That's a good point. They weren't just angry rebels; they were disciplined soldiers. Lucas: Exactly. And after the battle, the French king Louis XV visited the Irish camp personally to thank them. He gave them money and promotions. One story says he asked the Irish officers what they wanted as a reward, and they said, 'Give us our country back.' He couldn't do that, but he did give them a new flag with a crown and a harp. Luna: That's heartbreaking, but also inspiring. Lucas: It is. And it reminds us that the Wild Geese were not just mercenaries — they were men with a cause. Fontenoy is a window into that world. Luna: Thanks for bringing this story to light. Lucas: My pleasure. Next time, we'll look at another chapter of the Irish diaspora — maybe the Irish in the American Civil War. But for now, thanks for listening.