A History of Ireland in Song

Patrick Sarsfield

Patrick Sarsfield (c.1650-1693), Irish general and patriot.

Born in Lucan, County Dublin. On his mother's side he was descended from the O'Moores, princes of Laois, and on his father's side from Anglo-Norman stock.

It was as an ensign in Monmouth's Regiment of Foot that Sarsfield first saw service, in the army of Luxembourg; but at Sedgemoor, where he was wounded, Sarsfield was on the king's side. In 1689 he landed with the army of James II at Kinsale. Nevertheless in 1689 he captured Sligo and secured all Connacht for the king. At the Boyne he was compelled to inactivity, and when James fled to Dublin he took Sarsfield with him. After James's departure for France, it was largely through Sarsfield that Limerick was defended so well, and it was he who destroyed William's siege train, the most brilliant exploit of the whole war. James was so well pleased with him that he created him Earl of Lucan. In the campaign of 1691 he held a subordinate position under the French general St. Ruth. The two did not get on, and at Aughrim St. Ruth left Sarsfield in command of the cavalry reserve, with no active role in the battle. When St. Ruth fell, Sarsfield could not turn defeat into victory, but he saved the Irish from utter destruction. In the second siege of Limerick he was again prominent, but finding prolonged resistance impossible assented to the Treaty of Limerick, which ended the war and sounded the death knell for the Irish cause.

He then joined the Irish Brigade of the French army, and saw much service. At Landen in 1693, he commanded the left wing of Luxembourg's army, and was there mortally wounded. It is said that as he lay dying he put his hand to his wound, and drawing it forth covered with blood, he lamented that the blood was not shed for Ireland.

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