THE 16th and 17th centuries were a period of intense conflict and change in Ireland. The English Crown, led by Queen Elizabeth I and subsequently King James I, sought to assert control over the island and establish Protestantism as the dominant religion. This led to the colonisation of Ireland by English and Scottish settlers, the displacement of Irish Catholics from their lands, and the suppression of their religious practices. The native Irish, who clung to their Catholic faith and Gaelic traditions, were marginalised and subjected to increasing economic hardships.
This period saw the first major wave of Irish soldiers leaving the country, including experienced military leaders. These were Irish troops under the leadership of an English Catholic, William Stanley, who formed a regiment in the Spanish Army of Flanders during the 80 years’ war in the 1590s. Irishmen continued to serve in Spanish regiments and were garrisoned in Brussels during a truce in the 80 years war from 1609 until 1621. These men and thousands who followed them would become known as the Wild Geese (above). The term is generally used to refer to Irish soldiers who served in continental European armies in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Some even served in Africa, Cuba, Mexico and Honduras.
Cromwell and Williamite War
In the wake of the English Civil War and the rise of Oliver Cromwell, the situation worsened for the Catholic population. Cromwell’s brutal campaign, known as the Irish Confederate Wars, resulted in widespread massacres, forced displacement, and the confiscation of Catholic-owned lands. Many Irish Catholics were left with no choice but to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. 34,000 Irish troops left to obtain service in Spain.
After Cromwell’s death and the restoration of the monarchy, James II succeeded his elder brother Charles II to the throne in England. James, a Roman Catholic, sought to restore the rights of Catholics in Ireland. However, his reign was short-lived as he was deposed during the Glorious Revolution in 1688. His successor and son-in-law, the Protestant William of Orange, became William III. Catholics faced further persecution, and their rights were largely curtailed under his rule.
After William III’s victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, many Irish Catholic soldiers who fought for James II found themselves on the losing side. These soldiers, who were known as Jacobites, became marginalised and faced discrimination under the new Protestant regime. As a result, they were unable to serve in the English Army or hold positions of power.
One such soldier was Patrick Sarsfield commander of the defeated Jacobite forces in Ireland. A brilliant strategist and charismatic leader he negotiated the Treaty of Limerick which ended the Williamite War in Ireland. A major article of the treaty allowed Sarsfield to preserve his army under the condition that they left Ireland.
In what would become known as the flight of the Wild Geese on December 22, 1691, Sarsfield led 19,000 Irishmen and women into exile with King James II in France. The exodus consisted of 14,000 officers and men and 6000 women and children. Sarsfield’s troops initially prepared for the invasion of England to restore James to the throne but when this plan was abandoned, they entered the service of the French King. Continuing what would be a long and distinguished history of Irish men and women serving in the armies of foreign kings, emperors and tsars.
A financial flight?
The flight of the Wild Geese was not just motivated by political or religious factors, but also by economic considerations. Many of these soldiers were landowners or members of wealthy families who were stripped of their wealth by confiscations and plantations. Military service abroad offered them a chance to regain their fortunes and maintain their social status.
The Catholic Irish nobility and gentry, who found themselves dispossessed and oppressed, saw their hopes of regaining their lands and rights fading away. In response, they sought alternatives to secure their future. Many turned to continental Europe, where Catholic monarchs like Louis XIV of France and Philip V of Spain offered refuge and financial support.
The Catholic continental powers also saw an opportunity to weaken England and undermine its growing dominance. They welcomed Irish exiles into their ranks and recruited them into their armies. Men such as Arthur Dillon who rose to the rank of Field Marshal and eventually became a trusted advisor to the Austrian Emperor. Another was Lord Edward Fitzgerald who was an Irish revolutionary and member of the United Irishmen organisation. In 1798, he was forced to flee to France. There, he joined the French Army and fought in various battles, including Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign.
Strategic skills
The Irish Wild Geese also played a key role in shaping the military tactics and strategies of the foreign armies they served in. Their experience in guerrilla warfare and unconventional tactics helped to influence the way these armies approached battles and campaigns. The Irish soldiers were known for their ability to think outside the box and adapt to changing circumstances on the battlefield, making them valuable assets to their commanders.
Overall, the impact of the Irish Wild Geese on foreign armies was profound. These soldiers brought with them a unique blend of combat skills, loyalty, and cultural diversity that enriched the armies they served in. They played a key role in shaping the military tactics and strategies of these foreign armies, while also earning a reputation for bravery and resilience on the battlefield. The legacy of the Irish Wild Geese lives on in the military traditions of the nations they served in, as they continue to be honoured and remembered for their contributions to the history of warfare.
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