Capture of Waterford

Part of Williamite War in Ireland

Date	July 1690
Location	Waterford, County Waterford, Ireland
Result	Williamite victory

Belligerents

Williamite forces

Jacobite forces

Commanders and leaders

John Barrett
Michael Burke

Percy Kirke
Cloudesley Shovell

Casualties and losses

Light

The Capture of Waterford took place in July 1690 during the Williamite War in Ireland when a force under the command of Percy Kirke captured the town of Waterford from its Jacobite Irish Army garrison. Full control of the town was not secured until Duncannon Fort across Waterford Harbour was also taken from its garrison under Michael Burke shortly afterwards. In both cases the garrisons were allowed to march out under escort to Jacobite-held Mallow in County Cork, but were denied the "honours of war" which they demanded.

Following William of Orange's victory at the Battle of Boyne, the Jacobite Army had evacuated Dublin and retreated west towards Limerick. A cluster of garrisons remained which were now targeted by William's forces. Waterford was a major commercial port, estimated as the second biggest settlement in Ireland. It was one of the last major Jacobite strongholds in Leinster after Wexford had been abandoned without a fight. Waterford had a significant Protestant population of around three hundred families, and this possibly influenced William's plans for the town.

Wlliam's main field army was marching towards Limerick from Dublin, when on 21 July William sent a demand for Waterford's Governor John Barret to surrender. When the answer was not satisfactory the King detached four regiments of infantry and artillery under Percy Kirke to march on the town. Although preparations had been made to resist a siege, including the destruction of outlying suburbs which might offer cover to the attackers, the appearance of Kirke's forces shook Barret's confidence and he immediately opened negotiations to turn over the town in exchange for being able to take his 1,400 men westwards to rejoin the Jacobite army. Kirke took formal possession of the town on 25 July.

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