Description
Tags (dragged) 7The Flight of the Wild Geese shirt, with crafted motifs and red shoulder patches, is a salute to the many Irish legions and militias formed across the globe. They range from the Tercio Irlandés of Spain of 1587, followed by the Flight of the Wild Geese in the 17th century, to the Irish Transvaal Brigade of South Africa 1899. Many exiles joined the armies of Spain and of France serving under French kings and in Napoleon’s Grande Armée, campaigning alongside Polish, Swiss and Italian fellow legionnaires against English forces and allies. They also joined the Continental army of the American Revolutionary era and later formed Irish American regiments and militias, bearing Irish colours and emblems, serving with recorded distinction. In 1702 the Irish Brigade of the French Army, famously defeated the Austrian army at the battle of Cremona in Northern Italy. Later, an officer of Napoleon’s Légion Irlandaise renamed the entire townland and his house at Foxhall in the Swords area of County Dublin to ‘Cremona’. The original 18th century house and gate lodge at Cremona survive intact to this day, evolving as a living history and research venue dedicated to overseas Irish militia heritage.
The Cremona commemorative shirt collection pays homage to the many Irish legions and militias formed across the globe, from the Tercio Irlandés of Spain of 1587 to the Irish Transvaal Brigade of South Africa 1899. Editions currently available: 1. La Légion Irlandaise; 2. La Brigade Irlandaise; 3. Irish Militia Heritage; 4. Montgomery Guard of Boston; 5. La Légion Irlandesa de Simon Bolivar; 6. La Armada Invencible; 7. Flight of the Wild Geese; 8. The Sarsfield Grenadier Guard of California; 9. La Légion de Patricios de Buenos Aires; 10. El Batallón de San Patricio, Mexico.
