How many Irish Catholics were massacred in Drogheda?
What happened at Drogheda was replicated at Wexford the following month and Clonmel the next May. By the time Cromwell had put down the rebellion and returned to England in that same month, he had become forever hated by Irish Catholics. Losses: English, 150 of 12,000; Irish, 2,800 dead and 200 captured of 3,100.
What was the Drogheda massacre?
Catholic priests and friars were killed as combatants and a group who barricaded themselves in the steeple of St. Peter’s Church were burnt alive when Cromwell’s troops set fire to the Church. Around 2,000 died in the massacre, including a number who surrendered before the onslaught, as well as 150 Parliamentarians.
What did Oliver Cromwell do to Wexford?
On 11 October 1649, Oliver Cromwell’s Army stormed and sacked the Irish Royalist city of Wexford, allegedly whilst the defenders were trying to negotiate a surrender. It is remembered in Ireland as one of the worst atrocities in their history.
How many Irish died under Cromwell?
600,000 victims died during Cromwell’s campaign.
What does Drogheda mean in Irish?
Bridge of the Ford
Drogheda is the gateway to the world famous Boyne Valley region and the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Newgrange. Drogheda derives its name from the Irish Droichead Átha meaning ‘Bridge of the Ford’. It is the largest town in Co. Louth – Ireland’s smallest county – which is named after Lugh, the great God of the Celts.
How many Irish were killed at the sack of Wexford?
His troops massacred nearly 3,500 people, including 2,700 royalist soldiers, all the men in the town with weapons and probably also some civilians, prisoners and priests. At the siege of Wexford in October 1649, 2,000 Irish soldiers and perhaps 1,500 civilians were killed.
Where did the massacre of Drogheda take place?
On September 11, 1649, the County Louth town of Drogheda was the scene of one of the worst massacres to take place on Irish soil, blackening the name of Oliver Cromwell in Ireland forever. Research has shown that such was the violence displayed by Cromwell and his forces during the Siege of Drogheda and the subsequent Siege of Wexford that,…
Who was involved in the sack of Drogheda?
Cromwell’s sack of Drogheda and the massacre of the Royalist garrison by the New Model Army in 1649. By John Dorney
How big was Cromwells Army when he took Drogheda?
An image from 1800 of Cromwellian forces taking Drogheda. Image credit: Mechanical Curator / CC. Cromwell’s army consisted of roughly 6000 men, and crucially he had with him eight heavy siege guns designed for destroying the walls of a town.
Why was Drogheda important to the Royalists?
In expectation of Cromwell’s arrival, the Royalists held a War Council in Drogheda, where it was decided that the town should be held by a total of 2,550 Royalists and Irish Confederate troops under Arthur Aston, to prevent Cromwell from taking control of all Ireland’s eastern ports.