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The Battle of the Boyne
July 1, 1689
No year in Irish history is better known than 1690. No
Irish battle is more famous than William III's victory over James II at the River Boyne, a few miles west of Drogheda. James,
a Roman Catholic, had lost the throne of England in the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688. William was Prince of
Orange, a Dutch-speaking Protestant married to James's daughter Mary, and became king at the request of Parliament.
James sought refuge with his old ally, Louis XIV of France, who saw an opportunity to strike at William through Ireland.
He provided French officers and arms for James, who landed at Kinsale in March 1689.
In March 1690 the Jacobite army was strengthened by 7,000 French
regulars, but Louis demanded over 5,000 Irish troops in return. The Williamites were reinforced by Danish mercenaries and
by English and Dutch regiments. When William himself landed at Carrickfergus on 14 June, he was able to muster an army of
36,000 men. He began the march towards Dublin. There was some resistance near Newry, but the Jacobites soon withdrew to the
south bank of the River Boyne.
The battle was fought on 1 July 1690 at a formidable river bend
four miles west of Drogheda. The main body of Williamite infantry was concentrated on fording the river at the village
of Oldbridge, which was approached by a deep and sheltering glen. First, however, a detachment of cavalry and infantry
made a flanking attack upstream, which forced James to divert troops to prevent his retreat being cut off. William's army
was stronger by at least 10,000 men, but after these troops were drawn off he had three-to-one superiority in the main arena.
By mid-afternoon the Jacobite army was in retreat, outpaced by James himself, who rode to Dublin to warn the city of William's
approach. He was in France before the month was out. On 6 July William entered Dublin, where he gave thanks for victory in
Christ Church Cathedral.
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