An Cosantóir

| 31 cavalry from Enniskillen into his faltering ranks. As a leader William led from the front and was everywhere along the line. As a result he was shot several times. One ball struck the cap of his pistol and another careered off the heel of his jackboot. Seeing their general's bravery the Williamite forces pressed on. The same could not be said of James. With Williams forces prevailing in the front and advancing from the flank James's forces broke and ran. As his army began to retreat he fled for safety, firstly in Dublin, then Duncannon Fort in Wexford, and on to France. James's forces suffered some 1,500 casualties while Williamite losses only amounted to roughly 750. William's victory was rejoiced throughout Europe as many saw this as a French defeat. Pope Alexander VIII ordered a torchlight procession in Rome in celebration and Te Deums were sung in the Catholic cathedrals of Austria and Spain. Meanwhile, James blamed his men for his defeat. "When it came to a trial they basely fled the field and left the spoil to their enemies," he said. "Nor could they be prevailed upon to rally, though the loss in the whole defeat was but inconsiderable: so that henceforth I never more determined to head an Irish army and do now resolve to shift for myself." In response the Irish nicknamed him 'Séamus a' chaca' (James the sh*t). Even though the battle was lost the Jacobite cause in Ireland continued. The decisive Battle of Aughrim would be fought the following year forcing the Jacobites to fall back into Limerick, where the Treaty of Limerick would finally end the Williamite Wars. After this, many prominent Jacobites and their followers would depart for exile in Europe. Between 1691 and 1791 almost half-a-million such 'Wild Geese' left Ireland to form the famous Irish brigades of armies throughout Europe. James's general, Patrick Sarsfield, the Earl of Lucan, became a marshal of France; Marshal Charles O'Brien, Viscount Clare and Earl of Thomond, fought for the French at Fontenoy; Marshal Roland James Nugent commanded in the Austrian army, and his son Laval became a marshal in the service of King Ferdinand V of Spain; Marshal Maxmilian von Browne rose in the service of Maria Theresa of Austria; and Marshal Peter de Lacy became famous throughout Europe and parts of Asia as a commander in the Russian army of Tsar Peter the Great. The best part of visiting this battle site today is that you can walk the original grounds and see for yourself where the Blue Guards crossed, and stand were William and James stood. There are several walks shown on a colour-coded map full of information that will bring you to Oldbridge Village, the Crab Apple Walk, Greenhills, Groggins's Field, and the Canal Towpath. The Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre and battlefield is a wonderfully preserved site comparable to those of Waterloo and Gettysburg: and even better, it's on our own doorstep. The Centre opens seven-days-a-week throughout the year and is very affordable at €4 per adult, with concessions for children, seniors, students, families and groups. Groups of ten or more intending to visit must prebook. www.battleoftheboyne.ie Battle of the Boyne (1690) by Jan van Huchtenburg (1647-1733) King William III at the Battle of the Boyne (1690) by Benjamin West (1738-1820) www.military.ie the defence forces magazine

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