Derry and Enniskillen in 1689

NEWS FROM THE FLEET.--Wednesday, 3rd July,

On the 3rd of July, a letter was received at Enniskillen from Mr. Brown, chaplain of the Bonadventure frigate lying at Killybegs, stating that Major-General Kirke, then in Lough Swilly, had sent round the Bonadventure to inquire into the condition of Enniskillen, and to supply the garrison so far as it might be in his power. This news, as might be expected, was received with great joy. In the town that night bonfires were burned, volleys fired, and healths drunk to King William and Queen Mary. Colonel Lloyd himself went down to the coast to give Captain Hobson a true account of how matters stood, and, after a kindly reception by the English officer, returned with a promise of thirty barrels of powder, and with the assurance that they would soon receive from England much more effectual assistance. The powder was peculiarly acceptable: nothing else was so scarce at Enniskillen, and the action of the garrison was in every way hampered by the want of it. It was also agreed that Mr. John Rider and Rev. Andrew Hamilton, Rector of Kilskerry, should be sent to Kirke, asking for commissions to be given to their leaders, for some experienced English officer to take the command of the Enniskillen troops, and for a farther supply of arms and ammunition. This deputation went aboard on the 8th of July, and on the 12th joined Kirke, then lying inactive in Lough Swilly.[38]

NOTES

[38] Hamilton, p. 28; MacCarmick, p. 50.