Battle of Knocknaclashy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Knocknaclashy
Part of the Irish Confederate Wars
Date 26 July 1651 Location Near Dromagh, County Cork Result English victory
Belligerents
Confederates	Commonwealth of England
Commanders and leaders
Viscount Muskerry	Lord Broghill
Strength
3,000	2,000 soldiers
Casualties and losses
500	26 killed 130 wounded

The Battle of Knocknaclashy (also called Knockbrack) happened in County Cork, Ireland, in 1651. It was a big fight between Irish forces, led by Viscount Muskerry, and English forces, led by Lord Broghill. The English won this battle. It was one of the last major battles of the Irish Confederate Wars and the wider Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

Why the Battle Happened

The War in Ireland

The Battle of Knocknaclashy was part of the Irish Confederate Wars. These wars were a series of conflicts in Ireland from 1641 to 1653. They were also linked to the Wars of the Three Kingdoms happening across Ireland, England, and Scotland.

English Control Grows

By 1649-1650, most of Munster province in Ireland was under English control. Oliver Cromwell, a powerful English leader, had led his army into Ireland. His forces, called the New Model Army, attacked from the southeast.

Lord Broghill's Role

Meanwhile, Lord Broghill convinced some English soldiers in Cork to switch sides. These soldiers, who were loyal to the King (Royalists), joined the English Parliament's side. This made it harder for the Irish and Royalist forces to defend themselves. They had to retreat behind the River Shannon.

Irish Strongholds

The Irish forces still held important cities like Limerick and Galway. The English commander, Henry Ireton, began to besiege Limerick.

Viscount Muskerry's Stand

The only organized Irish forces left in southern Munster were led by Viscount Muskerry. He and his men stayed in the mountains of western Cork and County Kerry. This area was his family's traditional land.

The March to Battle

Muskerry's Plan

In July 1651, Viscount Muskerry decided to try and help the people trapped in Limerick. He gathered his 3,000 infantry (foot soldiers) and some cavalry (horse soldiers). Muskerry told his men about a prophecy that said the Irish would win a great battle. Many people in Ireland believed such predictions at that time.

The English Intercept

Muskerry marched towards Kanturk, hoping to meet up with Irish guerrilla fighters. But the English commander, Ireton, asked Lord Broghill to stop Muskerry. Broghill marched his English forces north from Blarney Castle near Cork. He crossed the Blackwater River at Banteer Bridge.

Finding the Enemy

Broghill learned that some of Muskerry's horsemen had been at Dromagh Castle. Broghill's English forces then found the Irish army at Knocknaclashy. This spot was between Dromagh and Kanturk.

The Battle of Knocknaclashy

Forces and Tactics

The English Parliamentarian forces were fewer in number than the Irish. However, they were better trained and had more cavalry. Having more cavalry was a big advantage in open areas.

The Fight Begins

The two armies first fired their muskets at each other from a short distance. Then, they fought hand-to-hand. The Irish cavalry were quickly scattered, leaving their infantry alone.

Brave Irish Pikemen

Despite being alone, the Irish infantry, mostly armed with long spears called pikes, bravely charged the English. Lord Broghill's men were surrounded on both sides by the Irish pikemen.

English Victory

However, the English regained the advantage by attacking the sides of the Irish line. Broghill reported that his horsemen broke through the Irish pike formations. They rode up, fired their pistols, reloaded, and repeated this until there was a gap. Then, the English cavalry charged in with their swords. This way, Broghill's men broke the Irish line and made them run away.

Aftermath

Hundreds of Irish soldiers were chased down by the English cavalry. The English reported losing only 26 soldiers killed and 130 wounded. Many wounded soldiers might have died later from their injuries. The remaining Irish soldiers, including Muskerry, retreated in disarray. They eventually surrendered at Ross Castle in 1652.