Battle of the Boyne (1690): A conflict of profound significance for Ireland.
Battle of Boyne Site, Oldbridge, Ireland This evening, I am reporting on the site of the Battle of the Boyne in the Republic of Ireland. This was probably the most famous military encounter in Irish history. It took place on July 1st 1690, a battle between the armies of rival kings- James II and William III -and entailed aggregate forces of some 60,000 men, the largest conflict on Irish soil. The underlying cause of the battle was also manifested in battles in Scotland such as Killiecrankie (1689), Dunkeld (1689), Cromdale (1690) Sheriffmuir (1715), Glenshiel (1719), Prestonpans (1745) and Culloden ( 1746). Some key facts: Key driver was attempt by the deposed King James II of England (Catholic) to regain the throne which he lost in 1688 to his Dutch son-in-law, William of Orange. (Protestant) James was deposed because of his Catholicism at a time when his people had converted to Protestantism. In the background King Louis XIV of France was supporting the e...