Siege of Limerick

Limerick endured two brutal sieges in 1690 and 1691, becoming the final testament of Irish resistance against William of Orange. Patrick Sarsfield and ordinary citizens defeated the first army through daring night raids and fierce street fighting, forcing William to abandon the city in humiliation. A year later, Baron de Ginkel returned with greater numbers, but the defenders held out until the Treaty of Limerick secured safe passage for thousands of soldiers who became the Wild Geese. The stone walls still carry the echoes of women hurling boiling water at invaders and men dragging wounded comrades from deadly fire.