Battles & Campaigns · 1691
Battle of Aughrim
Aughrim, County Galway, Ireland
What happened
The Jacobites held a strong ridge behind bogs and hedges. After a long artillery exchange, Williamite attacks on the centre were driven back, but cavalry crossed a causeway on the Jacobite left. Around sunset Saint-Ruhe was killed and the Jacobite army broke.
Why it matters
It was the decisive battle of the Williamite War in Ireland. The defeat effectively ended King James's cause in Ireland.
What came next
Galway surrendered soon after, and Limerick surrendered after a siege later in 1691.
Did you know?
Aughrim was once commemorated on 12 July, before later calendar changes moved the focus to the Battle of the Boyne.
Timeline
- 1 Jul 1690Battle of the Boyne (O.S.).
- 12 Jul 1691Battle of Aughrim (O.S.; 22 Jul New Style).
- 1691Galway surrenders.
- 1691Limerick surrenders after a siege.