Break of Dromore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Break of Dromore |
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| Part of the Williamite War in Ireland | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Williamites |
 Jacobites |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Hugh Montgomery Arthur Rawdon Henry Baker |
Richard Hamilton |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 3,000 | 2,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| ~100 missing | Low | ||||||
The Break of Dromore was a quick battle that happened on March 14, 1689, near a town called Dromore, County Down in Ireland. It was one of the first fights in a bigger conflict known as the Williamite War in Ireland.
In this battle, Catholic soldiers who supported King James II (called Jacobites) fought against Protestant groups who supported William of Orange (called Williamites). The Jacobites were led by Richard Hamilton, while the Williamites were led by Hugh Montgomery and Arthur Rawdon.
The Protestant forces were caught off guard. There wasn't much fighting, which is why it's called a "Break." This word is Scottish and means a sudden defeat or a quick retreat. The Jacobites won this battle, which helped them control the eastern part of Ulster. However, they didn't fully use their victory to their advantage.
Why the Battle Happened
In the late 1600s, there was a big disagreement over who should be the king of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Most Protestants in eastern Ulster supported William III. But the rest of Ireland, including the King's representative, Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, and the army, supported James II.
This disagreement led to war in Ireland. King James II had been removed from power in what was called the Glorious Revolution. At the start of the war, the Jacobites controlled two strongholds: Carrickfergus and Charlemont. These places were in areas where most people supported William.
The local Williamites formed their own fighting groups, called a militia. They met in a council at Hillsborough. They tried to attack Carrickfergus, but it didn't work. A local Catholic priest reported that the Williamite fighters were not well-armed or trained.
The main Jacobite commander in the north was Richard Hamilton. He was an experienced soldier. He had been in the French army before joining the Irish army. In 1688, he was sent to England. When King James II went into exile, Hamilton was held in the Tower of London.
William of Orange let Hamilton go in February 1689. He was supposed to talk with Tyrconnell, but he didn't. Instead, he returned to Ireland. The Williamites at Hillsborough were offered a pardon if they surrendered, but they refused. On March 8, Hamilton marched north from Drogheda with about 2,500 men. His goal was to make the Williamites surrender by force.
The "Break" of the Battle
On March 14, Richard Hamilton's forces crossed the river Lagan. They attacked a Williamite force of 3,000 men led by Lord Mount Alexander near Dromore.
The Williamite cavalry (soldiers on horseback) quickly fell apart after a charge by the Jacobite dragoons (soldiers who could fight on horseback or on foot). When Hamilton saw this, he ordered his infantry (foot soldiers) to advance. The Williamite foot soldiers ran away towards Dromore village.
The Jacobite cavalry caught up with them in the village. About 400 Williamite soldiers were killed, and the rest ran away to save their lives. This quick defeat is why it was called the "Break" of Dromore.
What Happened Next
After the battle, Lord Mount Alexander rode to Donaghadee and took a ship to England. Many other Protestants also left for Northern England or Scotland.
Hamilton's men captured Hillsborough. They found £1,000 and large amounts of food there. However, the Jacobites did not chase after the Williamite soldiers who had escaped. This allowed most of the Williamite militia, led by Rawdon and Henry Baker, to reach Coleraine. From there, they went to Derry. They later played a part in the successful defense of Derry, which was a very important event in the war.
