The stirring verses of this poetic ode, written to commemorate the Battle of Limerick, capture the awe-inspiring feats of the women who played a pivotal role in defending their homeland against foreign invaders. This chronicle not only recounts the fierce struggle that unfolded on Limerick’s walls but also sheds light on the remarkable actions of the women who courageously joined the battle, turning the tide of war in favor of the Irish defenders.
Echoes of Valor: Women of Limerick
Let Grecian poets sing of Troy’s famed tale,
Of battles fought and heroes’ hearts set sail,
But here, my pen shall trace a different fire,
The women’s deeds that kindled Limerick’s pyre.
On native soil, with valour unconfined,
Irish arms held their place, their courage intertwined,
Proud Limerick’s breach, where woman’s hand held sway,
Defenders fierce, in battle’s grand ballet.
A muse, emboldened, with desire ablaze,
Paints scenes of valiance in a fiery blaze,
Unlocks the past, the echoes of the fight,
Noble acts rekindled in the mind’s own light.
Defenders gather on tower and on wall,
Their numbers fewer, yet they stand tall,
With resolute faces, breath held in suspense,
They await the heralds of their last defence.
Like iron statues on the ramparts high,
With hearts of valour, they are poised to defy,
Grim, determined, a dauntless sturdy band,
Ready to take their fate in their own hand.
The signal sounds, and forth the foes advance,
Impatient to charge, to seize their chance,
Ten thousand eyes upon the breach they turn,
Ten thousand hearts within them fiercely burn.
Swords clash, helmets gleam, cannons fiercely scowl,
Threats of vengeance echo, intentions foul,
Dread engines of destruction brought to bear,
On Limerick’s walls, a treacherous snare.
The signal gun shatters silence’s reprieve,
Armies clash, battlements start to heave,
A surge of fire and steel upon them pours,
The city trembles as the chaos soars.
Defenders rise like bloodhounds on the prowl,
Swords and guns in a tangled clash, they howl,
In the breach’s heat, they boldly take a stand,
Slaying foes with swords gripped firm in hand.
Dane, Saxon, Dutch, in a tightly bound throng,
The steely thunder of arms rings loud and strong,
A maelstrom of destruction takes its toll,
Around the red fosse, the battle takes its role.
Above the din, Irish shouts ascend,
As they rush upon their foes, they send,
Outnumbered, yet unyielding, they fight,
Their fierce resistance setting the night alight.
Fiery demons dance, shells burst in the air,
Grape shots and flames weave a deadly snare,
Destruction rains down, sweeping ranks away,
Chaos and carnage in the light of day.
Cannons and howitzers belch forth their might,
Gunners and guns shattered in the fight,
Horses and riders reel and tumble down,
As ramparts blaze in a fiery crown.
From place to place, brave Sarstield directs,
His troops inspired, his fervor infects,
“Men of Limerick,” his rallying cry,
A call to arms that cannot be denied.
Remember Aughrim, Boyne’s bloodied field,
The fallen comrades who never yield,
Mothers, sisters, daughters’ lives they shield,
The honour of Ireland, the foe’s fate sealed.
With flames ablaze, the conflict roars anew,
Defenders rekindle, their courage true,
A double soul awakens in each breast,
They drive the enemy back, on them they invest.
Scaling ladders rise, forests of steel ascend,
Through iron crests, the foreign host they fend,
In the street’s passage, battle rages high,
Through the turmoil, courage will not die.
But hark! A cheer resounds, a war-cry loud,
A reinforcement swells the battle’s shroud,
Limerick’s daughters, proud and fierce, appear,
Angelic warriors, banishing all fear.
Husbands, brothers, sweethearts fled the wall,
Yet women stand to answer honour’s call,
Amidst the fire and blood, they surge ahead,
Fighting alongside, no foe they dread.
With bosoms bared, their courage displayed,
Heavy stones flung, the enemy dismayed,
Matrons, maids, in unity they stand,
Bold in danger, valiant across the land.
They cast aside norms, with shouts, they join the fray,
With missiles armed, they pave the enemy’s way,
Revitalized, the conflict rages anew,
Stones and debris rain down, a tempest true.
As the Shannon reddens, the battle’s tide,
The women’s valour, unyielding, they ride,
Through smoke and chaos, they stride with pride,
Defying odds, courage their only guide.
Amidst the turmoil, Sarstield’s voice rings clear,
Leading the charge with a triumphant cheer,
The bridge of Baal, a stage for knights to wield,
They plunge into the fray, their foes to yield.
The battle rages, fierce and unrelenting,
Foes retreating, their power relenting,
Limerick’s walls stand tall, unyielding, free,
Pealing bells mark triumph’s jubilee.
Immortal honour to daughters fair and bold,
For shifting the tides, for stories untold,
The Battle of Limerick, its valour sung,
By women’s courage, history is wrung.
The Battle of Limerick, a significant chapter in Irish history, unfolded in a vivid display of bravery, unity, and devotion to the homeland. This clash between the besieged Irish forces and the foreign invaders presented a dramatic tableau of destruction and resilience. As the enemy forces amassed at the breach in Limerick’s defences, the defenders, though outnumbered, stood with unwavering resolve, ready to face the impending onslaught.
Amid the suspenseful silence that enveloped the scene, the Irish defenders awaited the signal to engage in combat. Their iron will and determination resonated throughout the rawparis as they prepared to repel the invaders. Fierce hearts fueled by brazen valour, they were poised to confront the heralds of approaching death.
When the moment of reckoning arrived, a surge of fire and steel burst forth, driving into the breach with a resounding crash. Swords clashed, helmets gleamed, and cannon roared as the battle consumed the city. The clash of steel and the roar of artillery marked the tempestuous rhythm of war as opposing forces grappled for supremacy.
Amidst this tumultuous scene, a remarkable turning point occurred. In an unexpected twist, Limerick’s brave daughters joined the fray. The women of the city, compelled by an unyielding spirit and the call of their homeland, emerged from their homes and ignited a new wave of resistance. They cast aside societal norms and took up arms, fighting alongside their husbands, brothers, and comrades.
With a thundering cheer that echoed through the city, the women of Limerick surged forth like armed angels. Their presence on the battlefield was a testament to their fierce dedication and their belief in the just cause for which they fought. As stones rained down on the invading forces, the women showed unrelenting courage and determination. With their bosoms bared and their hair flowing, they stood as formidable warriors, fiercely defending their homeland.
As the battle raged on, the women unleashed a torrent of stones upon the enemy, shattering helmets and scattering the foe. Their actions created a turning point in the battle, inspiring the Irish defenders and demoralizing the invaders. Amidst the chaos and carnage, the women of Limerick stood as symbols of bravery and unity.
The Battle of Limerick, often marked by the valour of its men, gains a new perspective with this account of the women who played an indispensable role. Their actions transformed the battlefield into a stage for resilience and unity, demonstrating that the fight for freedom transcends gender. The Battle of Limerick stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Irish people and the invaluable contributions of both men and women in shaping the course of history.
In recounting this remarkable episode, we are reminded of the profound impact that individuals, regardless of their gender, can have on the course of events. The legacy of the Battle of Limerick endures as a reminder of the power of unity, determination, and the unwavering love for one’s homeland.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 09 January 1906
