Break of Dromore

Part of the Williamite War in Ireland

Date	14 March 1689
Location	near Dromore, Ireland
Result	Jacobite victory

Belligerents

Jacobite Forces - Irish Catholic troops

Williamite Forces - irregular Ulster Protestant troops

Commanders and leaders

Richard Hamilton

Lord Mount Alexander

Strength

c 2000

3000

Casualties and losses

~low

~400 killed, the rest scattered

Coordinates: 54°25′01″N 6°08′56″W / 54.417°N 6.149°W / 54.417; -6.149

The Break of Dromore is a name given to a battle fought during the Williamite War in Ireland on 14 March 1689. The battle was fought between Catholic Jacobite troops under Richard Hamilton and Protestant Williamites.

The engagement, fought near Dromore, County Down resulted in the rout of the Williamites and the Jacobite's securing of eastern Ulster. It is known as a "Break", because the Williamites put up little resistance, being put to flight after only a short fight.

While much of the Protestant population of east Ulster supported the claim of William III to thrones of Ireland, England and Scotland, the rest of Ireland, including the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell and the army, supported James II. As a result, war broke out in Ireland after James was deposed in the Glorious Revolution. At the start of the conflict, the Jacobites were left in control of two fortified positions at Carrickfergus and Charlemont in territory which was predominantly Williamite in sympathy. The local Williamites raised a militia and met in a council at Hillsborough. They made an ineffective assault on Carrickfergus. However, this was easily beaten off and a local Catholic cleric named O'Hegarty reported that the Williamite were badly armed and trained.

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