Sarsfield, Patrick (1645?-1693), Earl of Lucan, was an Irish leader and soldier. He fought on the side of former King James II of England against his successor, William III, for the control of Ireland. Sarsfield took part in the Battle of the Boyne, a decisive battle in 1690 in which the forces of William defeated those of James, and directed the defense of Limerick.
Sarsfield’s greatest exploit was the destruction of a siege train (caravan of artillery and ammunition) being taken to Limerick by William’s soldiers. The soldiers halted for the night at the village of Ballyneety. Sarsfield and a small group of men surprised them and destroyed the siege train.
Sarsfield was born in Lucan, near Dublin. James II gave him the title Earl of Lucan. After the Treaty of Limerick, which ended the war between James and William in 1691, Sarsfield left Ireland and joined the French army.
