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Stephen Dunford: The Journey of The IrIsh
Who at the Boyne his valor showed, And made his foes surrender.
To God above the praise we ’ll give, Both now and ever a’ter,
And bless the glorious memory
Of King William that crossed the Boyne water.
Painting of the Battle of the Boyne by Jan Wyck c. 1693
The victory of William at the Boyne did not end the Irish war. Dublin was now open to the Williamite army who quickly overran Ulster and Leinster, while in the south they also took Cork and Kinsale. The defeated Irish retired towards the Shannon: some held the bridge-head at Athlone, and while others occupied Galway, the main body concentrated behind the walls of Limerick. Neither Lauzun or Tyrconnell was in favour of defending Limerick with her ancient crumbling walls, indeed Lauzun declared that the place could be taken with roasted apples. Consequently, the hopes of the Irish army lay in the spirited soldier, Patrick Sarsfield, who now held the title Earl of Lucan, a title he had earlier received from James. Sarsfield and the Irish determined to make a stand at Limerick, opposing all suggestions of terms or submission, even when Lauzun and Tyrconnell had retired to Gal- way. The line of the Shannon would be defended-for the moment.
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