Williamite war in Ireland

For the context of this war see Jacobitism and Glorious Revolution.

Long-Term Effects

The Williamite victory in the war in Ireland had two basic long term results. The first was to ensure that James II would not regain his thrones in England, Ireland and Scotland by military means. The second was to ensure future British and Protestant dominance over Ireland. Until the 19th century, Ireland would be ruled by the "Protestant Ascendancy" , the English Protestant ruling class. The majority Irish Catholic community and also the Ulster-Scots Presbyterian community were systematically excluded from power.

Related Topics:
Ireland - James II - England - Scotland - British - Protestant - 19th century - Protestant Ascendancy - Ulster-Scots - Presbyterian

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For over a century after the war, Irish Catholics maintained a sentimental attachment to the Jacobite cause, portraying James and the Stuarts as the rightful monarchs who would have given a just settlement to Ireland (including self-government and restoration of confiscated lands) and supported Catholicism. Thousands of Irish soldiers left the country to serve the Stuart monarchs in the Irish Brigade of the French Army. Up until the mid-eighteenth century, France remained committed to restoring the Stuarts to their British Kingdoms and Irish soldiers in the French service fought on the Jacobite side in the Scottish Jacobite uprisings up to the Battle of Culloden in 1745.

Related Topics:
Irish Brigade - French Army - Eighteenth century - France - Battle of Culloden - 1745

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Protestants, on the other hand, portrayed the Williamite victory as a triumph for "religious and civil liberty" in the British Isles. In Ireland, the Protestant community believed that their victory had saved their community from massacre and annihilation at the hands of Irish Catholics. For this reason, the battles of the Williamite war are still commemorated by Protestant unionists in Ulster, principally by the Orange Order on the Twelfth of July.

Related Topics:
British Isles - Unionist - Ulster - Orange Order - Twelfth of July

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