Patrick Sarsfield (Irish confederate) facts for kids

Patrick Sarsfield was an important Irish landowner (someone who owns a lot of land) and a soldier in the 1600s. He is known for his part in the Irish Confederate Wars. He is also famous for being the father of Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan. Because of this, people sometimes call him Patrick Sarsfield the Elder.

Who Was Patrick Sarsfield?

Patrick Sarsfield came from an old family called the Old English. These were descendants of English settlers who came to Ireland long ago. His family lived in an area called The Pale, which was controlled by the English government.

His great-grandfather, Sir William Sarsfield, was once the Mayor of Dublin. He was made a knight for helping against a rebellion in 1566. This Sir William bought two large estates: Lucan Manor and Tully Castle in County Kildare. Patrick's grandfather received Tully Castle.

Patrick's father was Peter Sarsfield. His mother, Eleanor Dempsey, was the daughter of a Gaelic (native Irish) lord. Like most of the Old English families, Patrick was raised as a Roman Catholic. Many new arrivals in Ireland were Protestant. Patrick inherited Tully Castle from his father.

The Irish Confederate Wars

Sarsfield received support from King Charles II after his son William married a woman who was possibly the King's illegitimate daughter.

In 1641, a big rebellion started in Ireland. Catholic people in Ireland, including both the native Irish and the Old English, rose up. They said they were still loyal to King Charles I. But they fought against the Parliament of England and the Irish government in Dublin. This rebellion spread all over Ireland.

Because of attacks on Protestants, soldiers from Scotland and England came to help. The war lasted for more than ten years. Patrick Sarsfield's family had always been loyal to the government. But he felt forced to join the rebellion.

In 1642, he was removed from the Parliament of Ireland. He was also accused of being a traitor. Sarsfield supported the Irish Confederacy, which was a group formed by the rebels. He wanted to make a quick peace deal with King Charles I. This way, they could all fight against their common enemies together.

After King Charles I was executed, the rebels and the King's supporters made an alliance. Sarsfield helped the King's forces in a failed attack on Dublin in 1649. Later, King Charles II praised Sarsfield for his actions during that time.

After the war, Oliver Cromwell and his army took control of Ireland. Sarsfield was found guilty for his part in the rebellion. Like other Catholic leaders, he was forced to move to western Ireland. This meant he lost both Tully Castle and Lucan Manor. He had just inherited Lucan Manor from a cousin. His lands were given to other people. Sarsfield received some new land in western Ireland, but it was not worth as much.

Getting His Lands Back

When King Charles II returned to the throne, the Sarsfield family tried to get their old lands back. But a special court said that Patrick Sarsfield's role in the 1641 rebellion meant he could not be pardoned.

However, Patrick got help from important people like Maurice Eustace and the Duke of Ormonde. The King then agreed to give Tully Castle back to him.

Sarsfield's youngest son, Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, was a famous Jacobite leader.

Theophilus Jones, who owned Lucan Manor, was an important army officer. He refused to give up the land. But the Sarsfields kept trying to get it back. Their case became stronger when Patrick's son, William, married Mary Crofts. Mary was the daughter of Lucy Walter, who had been a mistress of King Charles II. Mary might have also been the King's daughter.

Because of this, the King stepped in to help the Sarsfields. He gave Theophilus Jones another property of equal value. This way, Jones would give Lucan Manor to William Sarsfield. Patrick himself was still legally unable to own the property because of his past actions. But his son William could.

Patrick Sarsfield died sometime after 1693. He lived longer than both of his sons.

Family Life

Patrick Sarsfield married Anne O'Moore. Her father was Rory O'Moore, one of the main leaders of the 1641 Rebellion.

His oldest son, William Sarsfield, married Mary Scott. William died in 1675 from smallpox. Patrick's younger son, also named Patrick, became a famous Jacobite leader. He fought in the Williamite War in Ireland. King James II made him the Earl of Lucan for his bravery. This was especially for his actions during the Siege of Limerick in 1690.

Patrick and Anne also had a daughter named Anne. She married her distant cousin, Dominick Sarsfield, 4th Viscount Sarsfield.

After his son William died, Patrick Sarsfield briefly became the guardian of his grandson, Charles Sarsfield. Charles's mother said that he was also a grandchild of King Charles II. The family's lands eventually went to later generations through Charles's sister, Charlotte Sarsfield.