Amid the tranquil flow of the Shannon’s waters, where mountain leaflets scatter, and just beyond the historic bridge, stands the iconic symbol of Limerick’s past – the Treaty Stone. This ancient stone bears the marks of time, its crest weathered by countless storms, its base adorned with the green patina of age. Yet, despite the wear and tear, it serves as a silent sentinel, bearing witness to Ireland’s turbulent history.
The Treaty Stone tells the tale of Ireland’s tumultuous past, particularly during the era of fervent struggle and resistance. It harkens back to the days when Sarsfield’s guns roared, and the tattered banner of Ireland fluttered above her valiant sons. It stands as a monument to Ireland’s unwavering determination during times of conflict, a testament to the enduring spirit of its people.
Through the annals of history, the Treaty Stone bears witness to Ireland’s faithful and resilient nature. It was a time when, under Sarsfield’s leadership, Irish hearts beat as one, and they stood united in defence of their homeland. The stone serves as a poignant reminder of that era, a time when the flag of Ireland proudly waved amidst the clamor of battle.
The Treaty Stone has endured through Ireland’s darkest hours, serving as a beacon of hope when the star of freedom still shone brightly in the nation’s future. It stands as a silent witness to Ireland’s struggles, a monument to the blood and sweat shed by its valiant sons and daughters.
This sacred stone, with its weathered surface and indomitable spirit, continues to hold a special place in Irish history. It remains a symbol of Ireland’s unwavering resolve and resistance in the face of adversity.
Yet, this stoic monument also carries the weight of betrayal. It remembers a time when perjury tainted its surface, when a solemn oath was broken, and a nation was betrayed. A perjurer’s hand and a soldier’s grasp tarnished its history, forever marking it with the stain of English guilt and shame.
The Treaty Stone bears witness to a painful chapter in Irish history, one that saw the sacrifice of Irish lives, homes, and futures in the service of foreign monarchs. It recalls the bloodshed at Aughrim and the banks of the Boyne, where Irish lives were laid down like offerings. And in the streets nearby, the trenches filled with the fallen.
All this sacrifice, all this pain, all this loss—for what purpose, for whose benefit? The answer lies in a chapter of Irish history when the nation’s pride was spent in support of an English king. Ireland rallied around her king, offered her treasures, and sent her valiant youth to fight for the Stuart cause, a cause that ultimately proved futile.
On Aughrim’s field and the banks of the Boyne, Irish blood was spilled like precious grain. In the streets, trenches overflowed with the fallen. And for what? For whom? The cost was immense, but the gain was a nation’s two centuries of subjugation and suffering.
But here, beside the Shannon’s swift flow, beside the Treaty Stone, we find a symbol of hope and resilience. Even in the face of such losses, Ireland refuses to surrender to fear. The flag that once fell from Sarsfield’s grasp, now touches the stars once more. Though it lay tattered and torn, hearts rose to raise it from the ashes, hoping that heaven’s light might grace its folds once again.
So, to the solemn wizard by the riverside, to Thomond’s Memnon, we appeal: If our nation’s pride has been broken, we have not yet learned to fear. The flag, though worn and battered, still bears the dreams of Ireland’s people. From the depths of night, a living light is breaking through. The shadows are retreating, and as the dawn approaches, the Treaty Stone shall find its place of honour in Ireland’s pantheon.
John Francis O’Donnell
Enniscorthy Echo and South Leinster Advertiser – Friday 27 July 1906
