Siege of Limerick (1642)

The siege of Limerick in 1642 was the first siege of the city in the 17th century and took place during the Irish Konföderationskriege.

The siege of Limerick by the Confederacy Ireland was the easiest of the three sieges in the 17th century, as the besieged population was on the Irish soldiers of the besieging page. Approx. 600 Protestant settlers fled during the Irish rebellion in the city and barricaded themselves in King John's Castle in the center of Limerick. The city was dominated Catholic in the first place, and the people turned to the Confederate government in Kilkenny, to end this refuge of the Protestants.

Therefore, a 1,500- man strong army marched under the general Garret Barry to Limerick to rectify the situation. Since Barry had no siege weapons available, he had his men dig of tunnels under the castle walls throughout. He also positioned snipers in the buildings around the castle - especially in the St. Mary's Cathedral. Ultimately, he could cut the supply of food and water. After four weeks, marked by hunger and disease, the English Protestants were - 400 survived and were evacuated to Dublin.

• Battle of the Irish Konföderationskriege
• Siege
• 1642