Why the Wild Goose?

Patrick Sarsfield
On October 3, 1691, the Irish Army 20,000 men strong under the command of Patrick Sarsfield left their native soil, the Emerald Isle, for the shores of France and Continental Europe. As per the Treaty of Limerick, if they remained in exile, and did not attack England, the rights of the Irish people would be guaranteed. Needless to say, they kept their word; the English did not.

Away from their homeland, with no money, and no skills save fighting—at which they were the very best—these “Wild Geese” as they came to be known made their way in the world by hiring their services out to the nations of Europe. As the Europeans were always fighting each other in one war or another, the Irish were never in want of work.

Over the next hundred years, they would be joined by over 500,000 Irishmen, soldiers all, bolstering their ranks and their reputation. The Irish served most notably with the French against the English, but also for Spain, Austria, Russia, Poland, Italy, Prussia/Germany, and more.

The Spanish held them in particularly high regard. One of their generals wrote to King Phillip: “that every year Your Highness should please order to recruit in Ireland some Irish soldiers, who are people tough and strong, and nor the cold weather or bad food could kill them easily”

The noted author Jonathan Swift had more to say: “I cannot but highly esteem those gentlemen of Ireland who, with all the disadvantages of being exiles and strangers, have been able to distinguish themselves by their valour and conduct in so many parts of Europe, above all other nations”

As the years went on, and the Wild Geese made their way to America, they fought in the service of Chile, Argentina, and, of course, the United States of America. Their service in the U.S. Civil War has been well documented, as Irish Brigades were highly sought after by both the Union and the Confederacy.

When the Irish Republican Brotherhood was rounded up in 1866 by the English and sent to the prison colony of Australia aboard the famous convict ship Hougoumont, the prisoners did not lose their good humor. In fact, they published a shipboard newspaper—handwritten, and it’s rumored they even used their own blood for ink! The name of the paper? The Wild Goose.

So over time, the term Wild Geese was more broadly applied to any of Ireland’s natives living overseas, whether exiled, or of their own choosing. America, New York, Staten Island, and West Brighton have all seen their fair share of Wild Geese make lasting contributions to our history, culture and society.

Today, our version of The Wild Goose welcomes you with open arms for a nice cold pint, some delicious hot food, and a load of good times. Thanks for coming, welcome to all, and sláinte!