The Flight of the Wild Geese refers to the departure of an Irish Jacobite army under the command of Patrick Sarsfield from Ireland to France, as agreed in the Treaty of Limerick on October 3, 1691, following the end of the Williamite War in Ireland. More broadly, the term "Wild Geese" is used in Irish history to refer to Irish soldiers who left to serve as mercenaries in continental European armies in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
Read more about Flight Of The Wild Geese: Spanish Service, French Service, Austrian Service, Swedish and Polish Service, Italian Service, End of The Wild Geese
Famous quotes containing the words flight, wild and/or geese:
“Here I am.... You get the parts of me you like and also the parts that make you uncomfortable. You have to understand that other peoples comfort is no longer my job. I am no longer a flight attendant.”
—Patricia Ireland (b. 1935)
“Many of our German friends before the war would come as our guest to hunt wild pig. I refused to invite Goering. I could not tolerate his killing a wild pig seemed too much like brother against brother.”
—Joseph L. Mankiewicz, U.S. director, screenwriter. Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Countess (Danielle Darrieux)
“the clanging chains
of geese are harnessed to the moon:”
—Roy Campbell (19021957)