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| ATHLONE CASTLE, COUNTY ROSCOMMON. -When Irish military heroism is mentioned, two names ever stand out most prominently-those of Athlone and Limerick. Both are associated with the most desperate and heroic defenses recorded in the stormy history of Ireland. The sketch given above shows a portion of the ancient castle of Athlone, situated on the Roscommon side of the River Shannon, and now occupied, with other buildings, as a barrack for the English garrison. It was successfully defended by Col. Richard Grace, fighting for James II., against General Douglas, commanding for William III., in the summer of 1690. In June of the succeeding year, it was attacked by the entire British army and its foreign allies, under Baron de Ginkell. Lieut.-Gen. St. Ruth, King James' commander-in-chief, sent from France to supersede the gallant Sarsfield, lay, with the main Irish army, within two miles of the town, while the siege was in progress. The English, in attempting to force the bridge, were again and again repulsed. Once they laid planks over the broken arches, but Sergeant Costume and eleven private soldiers of the Irish army hurled them into the stream and saved the day. All twelve of these humble heroes perished. Finally, the river being low, the British found a ford, and, while the Irish garrison was "off guard" effected the surprise and capture of the town. St. Ruth is said to have been dining, in sight of the castle, when news of the disaster reached him. |
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