Page 249 - Demo

Chapter Seven 249
leaders, and this disunity was to have a malign and negative inluence on the Irish campaign against the thorough and well organized de Ginkle and his professional force, then num- bering upwards of 20,000 troops. Nonetheless, St. Ruth quickly mustered an army 15,000 strong, some of whom he immediately dispatched to the defence of the strategic town of Athlone, which at the time was under siege by de Ginkle’s forces.
The heroic deeds performed by a handful of the defenders at the bridge of Athlone, are amongst the most inspiring in Irish history, but nothwithstanding their bravery, especially the heroism of Dragoon Sergeant Costume and his volunteers, the town could not be saved. On 30 June, de Ginkle’s troops succeeded in crossing the river Shannon and in a short time the battered town of Athlone was in the hands of the Williamites. Named for the afore- mentioned Sergeant, Costume Barracks Athlone is now the Headquarters of the Western Command of the Irish Army.
Ballad of Athlone
(By Aubrey de Vere)
Does any man dream that a Gael can fear? Of a thousand deeds let him learn but one! The Shannon swept onwards broad and clear, Between the leaguers and broad Athlone.
‘Break down the bridge!’ - Six warriors rushed Through the storm of shot and the storm of shell; With late but certain victory lushed.
The grim Dutch gunners eyed them well.
They wrench’d at the planks ‘mid a hail of ire; They fell in death, their work half done;
The bridge stood fast; and nigh and nigher The foe swarmed darkly, densely on.
“Oh, who for Erin, will strike a stroke?
Who hurl yon planks where the waters roar?”