Two kings - the Catholic King James II unpopular with his Protestant subjects, and opposed by his son-in-law, William of Orange - met in battle to decide the English crown. Also at stake was French dominance in Europe as well as religious power in Ireland.
The Battle of the Boyne, with 36,000 in William's army and 25,000 on the Jacobite side, saw the largest engagement on an Irish battlefield. It was also a European war contested by professional soldiers with both armies led by kings. July 1690 remains a seminal date in Irish history. On June 30th, the Byerley Turk was tethered at Tullyallen overlooking the valley of the Boyne. The river proved vital in the battle which is vividly reconstructed by Jeremy James.
King James saw the Boyne as his best barrier against William's men. He was wrong. Williamite forces crossed at Oldbridge. But Capt Byerley, mounted on his experienced war horse, Azarax, led a small troop of the 6th Dragoons across the ford up-river at Rossnaree. Having despatched three men, Azarax bit and stomped at the enemy. Up at Roughgrange, they went in pursuit of the Irish calvary. James fled and the day was William's.
The battlefield, now part of the Oldbridge Estate, on the south bank of the Boyne, is quiet. But the ghosts of men and horses linger. Schomberg fell here and a stone marks the spot. Living History Tours stage presentations throughout the summer, while OPW guides explain the weaponry on replica 17th century pieces and canons.
See Michael McNally's Battle of the Boyne in the Campaign series, published by Osprey. OPW site guides: 041-9809950