Latest / The History of Ireland: Rebellion, Empire, and Independence — Fexingo History / The Siege of Limerick 1691 and the Wild Geese Treaty
Transcript
- Lucas: So after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, it's easy to think the Williamite War in Ireland was basically over. James II had fled to France, William III had won the day. But the war dragged on for another year, and the decisive chapter played out in the west, at Limerick. Luna: Limerick — that was the last Jacobite stronghold, right? Lucas: Exactly. And it wasn't just one siege — there were two. The first one happened in August 1690, right after the Boyne. William himself led a massive army right up to Limerick's walls, but the city held out. The Irish commander, Patrick Sarsfield, pulled off a stunning move: he led a night raid — the famous Ballyneety raid — and destroyed the Williamite siege train, all their heavy artillery, in a single blow. William had to lift the siege and withdraw. Luna: So that's where Sarsfield became a legend. Lucas: Absolutely. Patrick Sarsfield, an Irish Jacobite from an Old English family, became the hero of the hour. After that, the war settled into a stalemate over the winter. But by the summer of 1691, the Williamites were back, this time under a Dutch general, Godert de Ginkel. And they were determined not to make the same mistake twice. Luna: What was different the second time? Lucas: Ginkel was more methodical. He brought up fresh artillery, built a pontoon bridge across the Shannon, and surrounded the city. The siege began in earnest in August 1691. The Jacobite defenders put up fierce resistance, but by September, the city was close to starving. Sarsfield, who had been wounded in a skirmish, knew they couldn't hold out much longer. So negotiations began. Luna: And that led to the Treaty of Limerick, right? Lucas: Yes. The treaty was signed on October 3, 1691, on what's now called the Treaty Stone in Limerick. It had two key parts: military articles that allowed the Jacobite army to leave for France with full honours, and civil articles that promised religious toleration for Catholics and protection of their property rights. Sarsfield and the other negotiators believed they'd secured a decent deal — but it all fell apart almost immediately. Luna: How so? Lucas: The Irish parliament — dominated by the Protestant Ascendancy — refused to ratify the civil articles. They gutted the treaty, and within a few years the Penal Laws began to be introduced, crushing Catholic rights even further. So the Treaty of Limerick became known in Irish folk memory as a broken promise, a symbol of English perfidy. Luna: And what about the military articles? The Jacobite army did leave? Lucas: Yes, that part was honoured. About 14,000 soldiers and their families sailed from Cork and Limerick to France, joining the Irish Brigade in French service. This became known as the Flight of the Wild Geese. Sarsfield himself went into exile and was killed two years later at the Battle of Landen in the Spanish Netherlands, fighting for the French king. Luna: So the Wild Geese became a core part of the Irish diaspora story. Lucas: Exactly. Those regiments fought in every major European war for the next hundred years. And back in Ireland, the broken treaty cemented a deep sense of grievance. For generations, the phrase 'the Treaty of Limerick' was invoked as proof that the English could not be trusted. Luna: It's a good reminder that history's turning points often come in the fine print of treaties. Lucas: Absolutely. And speaking of that theme — we try to keep our show free of ads because we believe history should be told without commercial interruptions. If that independence matters to you, you can support us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It's entirely optional, but it helps us keep going. Luna: Yeah, every little bit helps us maintain this ad-free space we've built. Lucas: So back to Limerick — after the Wild Geese sailed, the Penal Laws slowly strangled Catholic Ireland for the next century. But the memory of Sarsfield and the treaty never died. There's even a legend that Sarsfield's spirit returns every seven years to ride through Limerick on a white horse. Luna: Really? That sounds like something out of Irish folklore. Lucas: It is, and it shows how quickly history turns into legend. The real Sarsfield was a pragmatic commander, not a romantic hero — but in the Irish imagination, he became the symbol of the lost cause. The Treaty Stone itself is still a monument in Limerick, a reminder of those broken promises. Luna: And the Wild Geese — they kept the Jacobite cause alive in Europe for generations. Lucas: Yes, and not just the cause. They also brought Irish culture, language, and military skill to the continent. The Irish Brigade in France produced many distinguished officers, and even after the Jacobite cause faded, the Wild Geese continued to serve in armies from Spain to Austria. It's a remarkable story of resilience. Luna: I had no idea the siege of Limerick had such a long shadow. Lucas: It really does. So next time you toast with an Irish whiskey, you can think of those soldiers who sailed from the Shannon, and the treaty that promised so much but delivered so little.