Its garrison, led by Hugh Dubh O'Neill, surrendered to Henry Ireton after a protracted and bitter siege.

However, the weather was increasingly wet and cold and Ireton was forced to abandon the siege before the onset of winter.

Its medieval walls had been buttressed by 20 feet (about 6 metres) of earth, making it difficult to knock a breach in them.

In addition, Irish town had a series of bastions along its walls, mounted with cannon which covered its approaches.

The garrison of the city was 2,000 strong and composed mainly of veterans from the Confederate's Ulster army, commanded by O'Neill, who had distinguished themselves at the siege of Clonmel the previous year.

What was more, Ireton found a weak point in the defences of Irish town, and knocked a breach in them, opening the prospect of an all-out assault.

Eventually in October 1651, four months after the siege had started, part of Limerick's garrison (English Royalists under Colonel Fennell) mutinied and turned some cannon inwards, threatening to fire on O'Neill's men unless they surrendered.

A Catholic Bishop Terence Albert O'Brien, an Alderman and the English Royalist officer Colonel Fennell (who the Parliamentarians said was a "soldier of fortune") were hanged.

[10] Former mayor Dominic Fanning was drawn, quartered, and decapitated, with his head mounted over St. John's Gate.

Three Woulfes were sentenced to death for their role in the defense of Limerick: the mayor and the head of the Franciscans were caught and executed.