After
James had left for France, Tyrconnell was once more Lord Deputy
and commander of the Irish army, with discretionary powers negotiate
for peace or fight on as he saw fit. Tyrconnell and Lauzun favored
negotiating terms with William. Patrick Sarsfield, whom William
had
once offered the rank of Colonel in his army, had the support
of the Irish officers including James' son, Duke of Berwick, and
the backing of the Irish army and the war would continue. Lauzun
withdrew to Galway, taking his French soldiers, eight guns and
considerable ammunition.
It
should be remembered that Louis XIV was at war with both Holland
and England at the time, and William might have to retreat from
Ireland with a large part of his army to defend against Louis'
advances. If the Irish campaign prolonged into the next year,
then there was always hope that events outside of Ireland might
help turn the tide against William.
Most
of the Irish army had assembled in Limerick by late July. Strategically,
Limerick was an important position commanding the southern entrance
to Clare and Connaught, as well as a port accessible to sea-going
ships.
The
geographic location and historical development of Limerick had
combined to create two cities in one. The older part of the city
was built on the King's Island at the beginning of the 13th century.
Known as the English Town, it was completely walled with a circumference
of 1.5 miles, encompassing 35 acres. Bordered by the Shannon and
Abbey Rivers, the English Town of Limerick held a naturally defensive
position.
South
of the English Town, on the other side of the Abbey River, was
the Irish Town. Construction began on the Irish Town in 1310 and
was completed in 1495. Although it was different in shape from
the English Town, its area and circumference was roughly the same.
Ball's Bridge who was built at the narrowest point of the Abbey
River in 1340 joined both towns.
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