Treaty Stone

I finally got out of King John’s Castle and crossed the river Shannon. I was hoping to get a decent photo of the the castle even though there was little hope of that happening what with all the rain here. I can’t remember when I was outside in the rain this long. I was having second thoughts on staying outside for the rest of the evening. I didn’t have a car with me, since I left it with the B&B, so I needed to walk in the rain. The view from the other side of the river gives a better look at the castle but it was too far away to get proper photos here. I only had a wide angle lens with me and I couldn’t get a decent shot. Fortunately, there was something here to keep me interested – a rock.

Okay, it wasn’t just any rock, it is called the Treaty Stone. Back then in the Seige of Limerick, in the Williamite War, it features two protagonists, the Jacobites, who are most closely associated with the Catholics, and thus the Irish, and the Williamites who are the Protestant English. The Jacobites managed to defend Limerick several times but eventually lost to the Williamites. Despite that, the Jacobites managed to get very good terms, including relgious tolerance. This agreement was written on a stone, which became the Treaty Stone. Jacobites were allowed to go to France. Without anyone in the way, the treaty was disregarded and religious persecution continued. This treacherous act runs deep in the psyche of the Irish and this distrust of the English continues to this day.

The Treaty Stone on the other hand has become a constant reminder of how the English broke their word. The stone is on display on the other side of the Shannon right across the King John’s Castle. The stone sits on a pedestal to avoid souvenir hunters. I only stayed here because there was a tree which helps keep me away from the rain somewhat. Looking at the stone, it reminds you that even if something is set in stone, it still can be broken.

[xmlgm {http://www.worldwanderings.net/kml/TreatyStone.kmz} zoom=19]