Siege in Ireland 1641-53

Blood and Stone

Pádraig Lenihan

“Siege, not pitched battle, was the predominant military tactic used by all sides during the Irish Confederate Wars, the conflict that devastated Ireland between 1641 and 1653. [...] Indeed, some of the key events and figures encountered in this outstanding new book from Pádraig Lenihan are seared in Ireland’s collective historical and cultural memory. [...] It is important to note that atrocities were committed by every side in this bitter conflict. Therefore, it is testament to Lenihan’s professionalism as a historian that he does not shrink from discussing this uncomfortable truth. A retired university history lecturer, former Irish army artillery captain and highly respected scholar with an intimate knowledge of early modern Irish society, culture, warfare and fortifications, Lenihan is well placed to tell this story. He aims to put the reader at the centre of the siege experiences by using first-hand accounts of the people involved. A gripping and, at times, unnerving read, Lenihan’s forensic approach to historical detail, military logistics and everyday practicalities shows that, if anything, the reality of Irish siege warfare was even more brutal than we could possibly have ever imagined.” Chris Doyle, the Irish Times, February 2026