Siege of Cahir Castle

Siege of Cahir Castle
Part of the Nine Years' War

Cahir Castle
Date26–29 May 1599
Location
Result

English victory

  • Crown forces take the castle
Belligerents

Kingdom of England England

Irish Alliance
Commanders and leaders
Earl of Essex James Galdie
Strength
4,000–5,000 Several hundred in garrison
5,000 more in the vicinity
Casualties and losses
low 80–100 killed

The siege of Cahir Castle took place in Munster, in southern Ireland in 1599, during the campaign of the Earl of Essex against the rebels in the Nine Years War (1595-1603). Although the castle was considered the strongest fortress in the country, Essex took it after only a few days of artillery bombardment. However, Queen Elizabeth dismissed her commander's achievement, claiming the defenders were merely a "rabble of rogues".