Siege of Kilkenny

The Siege of Kilkenny took place in 1650 during what historian Patrick Little considered to be the most controversial period of the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. The siege caused Cromwell more losses than the Siege of Drogheda and resulted in the taking of Kilkenny from Confederate Ireland.

Prelude
After taking Cashel and setting his headquarters there, Cromwell marched to Kilkenny to issue a summons of surrender. The envoy he sent there was captured and kept as a hostage. Upon this happening, Cromwell, absent siege weapons, had to return to Cashel to acquire them after being met with hostility. Cromwell was relying on an officer by the name of Tickle to betray the townspeople and relay the locations of the wall's weakest points. Tickle's treachery was unconvered by Third earl of Ormond and owner of Kilkenny castle James Butler. James Bulter intercepted the letters sent between Cromwell and Tickle which led to Tickle's execution. Butler, learning of Cromwell's intent, established 700 men and 100 horsemen to repel the puritan army. Facing this formidable force Cromwell decided to retreat to Cashel. In the space of time it took Cromwell to acquire siege weapons and return to Kilkenny, a plague had struck. The plague was believed to have originated in Galway on Spanish ship. Lord Castlehaven appointed James Walsh as Governor of the Castle and Sir Walter Butler as Governor of the City. In addition to this he provided 1200 men to the Kilkenny cause. By the time Cromwell returned, the plague had decimated Kilkenny city. About 300 out of the original Garrison of 1200 men remained to watch their posts.

Kilkenny town layout
The walls of Kilkenny were constructed to make a controlled area around the town and make it easier to access. The city itself was split up into three walled areas, Hightown (Castle area), Irishtown and St Johns. Hightown was an enclosed area south of the castle and stretched to the River Breagagh in the North. The walls of Irishtown enclosed St. Canice's church north of the Breagagh. St. Johns contains the respective church and is located on the east bank of the River Nore. Gates were placed at critical points in the walled areas in addition to towers along the walls. Hightown has a number of streets that still stand today such as; High Street, Walkin Street, James Street and St. Kieran Street.

The Siege
On March 22, Cromwell arrived and stood a mile before Kilkenny with his men. Guns were set up on the adjacent hill and from the Black quarry, Cromwell issued a summons of surrender to the Butler, Walsh and the Aldermen of Kilkenny. While the letters were traded back and fort, Cromwell sent a detachment to take Irishtown and they were defeated. A refusal letter was issued to Cromwell shortly after. The trading of letters happened between the hours of five and six o'clock, the Artillery battery located on the adjacent hill began to pound the south wall. Breach was made around noon and upon breach Cromwell gave orders to assault using the recently destroyed entry point but after two tries his men disobeyed as they had suffered heavy losses in the last battle. Soon after, Cromwell received invitation from the mayor and townsmen of Irishtown asking him to stay in the town and in return he would allow his troops safe entry. Cromwell instead of replying sent a detachment of men led by Colonel Ewer to capture Irishtown. Irishtown was guarded by the townsmen. The townsmen fled their posts at the first sight of Colonel Ewer and his men. This resulted in the capturing of St. Canice's Cathedral and parts of Irishtown. The Governor of Irishtown, Sir James Butler, surrendered not long after admitting that there was nothing he could have done. On March 27, the troops continued to attack Kilkenny to no success other than managing to breach the walls of the franciscan abbey. This is when more people deserted their posts. The Governor, James Walsh, arrived on horseback to drive Cromwell's men from the wall. At the same time, small groups of Cromwell's men tried to cross St. Johns bridge to set fire to the front gates but they were killed by the Garrison guards. It was at this point when the reinforcements of 1500 men from Ireton arrived. Finally, Governor James Walsh called for surrender under orders from Lord Castlehaven that were given previously. The orders were not to allow the townspeople to be exposed and massacred. On March 28, 1650 the town of Kilkenny was handed over to Cromwell. The Garrison and its leaders were marched out into the town where they were complimented by Cromwell for the gallatry in battle. Cromwell also admitted that if it was not for the townspeople's treachery, he would have passed Kilkenny and left it alone.