Date/Time
Date(s) - 14/07/2013
2:15 pm - 4:15 pm
Location
Aughrim Interpretative Centre
Categories
WFHA committee members travelled to Aughrim to attend the Aughrim Military History Summer School held on July 12-14th. 2013. At the request of Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, Galway Co. Council, committee members were present for the Genealogical Advice Clinic – Tracing your Ancestors – on the Sunday afternoon from 2.15 to 4.15pm. Earlier on the Sunday, those present were shown around the Aughrim Interpretative Centre and the adjacent Park which includes a map of the battle layout. We were informed by the military historians present that the Battle of the Boyne was a ‘bun fight’ compared to Aughrim, the pivotal turning point in Irish and European history. The rival monarchs were James the Second and William the Third. St. Ruth arrived in Limerick May 1691 and by June had 20,000 troops encamped at Ballinasloe when they moved to Athlone.
Athlone fell, Sarsfield advised sending the infantry back to Limerick and sending the cavalry into Leinster to cut the Williamite supply lines with Dublin. But St. Ruth decided to give battle at Aughrim and we were told that he showed considerable genius in his choice of position, covering the roads to Galway and Limerick ports, the last links with France.
The Williamite army comprised Hugenot, Dutch, Danish, English, Scotch and Ulster troops. Aughrim put an end to the Jacobite ambitions and opened the way to Galway and Limerick for the Williamite forces.
The existence of this beautifully laid out Park at Aughrim was largely unknown to us and is certainly worthy of a visit by all who desire to amplify their knowledge of Irish and European history.