Siege of Smerwick

The siege of Smerwick took place at Ard na Caithne (known in English as Smerwick) in November 1580, during the Second Desmond Rebellion in Ireland. A force of between 400 and 700 Papal freelance soldiers, mostly of Spanish and Italian origin, landed at Smerwick to support the Catholic rebels. They were forced to retreat to the nearby promontory fort of Dún an Óir, where they were besieged by the English. The Papal commander parleyed and was bribed, and the defenders surrendered within a few days. The officers were spared, but the other ranks were then summarily executed on the orders of the English commander, Arthur Grey (Baron Grey de Wilton), the Lord Deputy of Ireland.

Siege of Smerwick
Part of the Second Desmond Rebellion

Map of the English attack on Spanish and Italian forces at Smerwick
Date7–10 November 1580
Location
Dún an Óir near Ard na Caithne, Ireland
52.190386°N 10.415546°W / 52.190386; -10.415546
Result

English victory

  • Papal and Spanish troops massacred
Belligerents
 Kingdom of England Papal and Spanish troops
Commanders and leaders
The 14th Baron Grey de Wilton Sebastiano di San Giuseppe
Strength
~4,000 400–700
Location within County Kerry
Siege of Smerwick (Ireland)

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