to advise and help a continuance of hostilities in that country.  James seems to have recognized his incapacity too clearly to attempt anything definite, or, what is more probable, was too irresolute by nature even to determine to give up the fight.  Tyrconnell himself sincerely wished to make his peace with William, so that he might once more enjoy the revenues of his estates.  The Irish army was thoroughly determined to hold out to the end.

With these conflicting desires and designs, no single-hearted and resolute action was possible.  Matters seem to have drifted till about January, 1691, when Tyrconnell returned; “but he brought with him no soldiers, very few arms, little provision and no money.”  A month later a messenger came direct to Sarsfield, then with the army at Galway, from Louis XIV, promising reinforcements under the renowned soldier Saint Ruth.  This letter to a great extent revealed the double part Tyrconnell had been playing at the French court, and did much to undermine his credit with the better elements in the Irish army.

The French fleet finally arrived at Limerick in May, 1691, under Saint Ruth, bringing a considerable quantity of provisions for the Irish army; but it is doubtful whether this arrival added any real element of strength to the army.  The Irish army, soon after this, was assembled at Athlone, to defend the passage of the Shannon.  Much vigorous fighting took place, but Ginkell, William’s general, finally captured that important fortress in June.  The road to Galway was now open, and Ginkell’s army prepared to march on that important city, the strongest place in Connacht.  Saint Ruth prepared to resist their approach, fixing his camp at Aughrim, The Hill of the Horses, some eighteen miles from Athlone and thirty-five from Galway.  We may once more tell the story in the words of an eye-witness: 

“Aughrim was then a ruined town, and the castle was not much better, situated in a bottom on the north side of the hill, where the Irish army encamped.  The direct way from Ballinasloe was close by the castle, but there was another way about, on the south-east side of the hill.  The rest of the ground fronting the camp was a marsh, passable only for foot.  The army of Ginkell appeared in sight of Aughrim on July 12th.  The Irish army, composed of about ten thousand foot, two thousand men-at-arms, and as many light horse, was soon drawn up by Saint Ruth in two lines; the cavalry on both wings flanking the foot; and having placed Chevalier de Tesse on the right wing of the horse, and Sarsfield on the left, and giving their several posts to the rest of the chief commanders, Saint Ruth obliged himself to no certain place, but rode constantly from one side to another to give the necessary orders where he saw occasion.  Ginkell being now come up at so near a distance that his guns and other battering engines might do execution, he ordered them to be discharged, and as he had a vast number of them he made them play incessantly