The Siege of Limerick (1690-1691) was a significant event during the Williamite War in Ireland, a conflict between supporters of the deposed Catholic King James II, known as Jacobites, and the forces of Protestant King William III, known as Williamites. The siege took place in the city of Limerick, which was a key stronghold for the Jacobites in western Ireland.
The First Siege of Limerick (1690)
After the Battle of the Boyne, William III aimed to swiftly end the war by capturing key Jacobite strongholds. Limerick, situated on the River Shannon, was one of the last major cities still under Jacobite control. In August 1690, William led a substantial force to besiege the city.
Despite William’s expectations, the city’s defenses, combined with determined resistance from the Jacobite garrison under Patrick Sarsfield, repelled the attack. Limerick's thick walls and strategic location made it difficult for the Williamites to breach the city. The defenders also successfully executed a daring raid that destroyed William’s siege artillery at Ballyneety, which significantly hindered the effectiveness of the siege. After a month of fighting and failing to breach the city's defenses, William withdrew his forces, leaving Limerick in Jacobite hands.
The Second Siege of Limerick (1691)
The war dragged on into 1691, but the Jacobites were increasingly weakened by a lack of supplies, military defeats elsewhere, and diminishing morale. In August 1691, the Williamite forces, now commanded by General Godert de Ginkell, returned to Limerick with a larger and better-prepared army.
This time, the Williamites launched a more coordinated and intense assault on the city. The Jacobite defenders, still led by Patrick Sarsfield, put up a determined resistance, but the situation was increasingly desperate. The Williamites managed to cross the River Shannon, cutting off supplies and reinforcements to the city. After several weeks of siege and the bombardment of the city's defenses, it became clear that Limerick could not hold out indefinitely.
The Treaty of Limerick
On October 3, 1691, with the situation untenable, the Jacobite leaders agreed to negotiate. The resulting Treaty of Limerick effectively ended the Williamite War in Ireland. The treaty had two main parts:
- Military Articles: These allowed the Jacobite soldiers the choice to disband and return home or to leave for France to join the armies of Louis XIV, who supported James II. About 10,000 Jacobite soldiers, including Patrick Sarsfield, chose to leave for France, an event known as the "Flight of the Wild Geese."
- Civil Articles: These promised protection for the rights and property of Irish Catholics who had supported James, as long as they swore allegiance to William and Mary. However, these terms were soon violated as the Penal Laws were enacted, severely restricting the rights of Catholics in Ireland.
The defeat of the Jacobites
The Siege of Limerick marked the end of significant Jacobite resistance in Ireland and solidified William III’s control over the island. The Treaty of Limerick was intended to bring peace and tolerance, but its provisions were quickly undermined, leading to over a century of harsh Penal laws against Catholics.
Limerick became known as the "City of the Broken Treaty," symbolizing the betrayal felt by Irish Catholics in the years that followed. The siege and the treaty are remembered as key moments in Irish history, particularly in the context of the long struggle for Irish independence and the religious divisions that continued for years to come.
