The Shannon was broad and rapid.

The Irish town on the Limerick shore was not strong, being defended only by ordinary walls.

If this were captured, however, the English town could still hold out.
The king made his approaches to the city slowly, being obliged to level the numerous inclosures as he moved on.

These were occupied by the Irish infantry, who, lining every hedge, kept up a galling fire, falling back gradually as heavy bodies of troops were brought up against them, until they reached the cover of the guns of the city and fort.

Upon these opening fire, William's army halted and encamped before the Irish town.
Here, as at the Boyne, the king had a narrow escape, a cannonball from the walls striking the ground at his foot as he was passing through a gap in a hedge.
The king had learned that great dissensions existed between the Irish and French, and relied upon this, as much as upon the strength of his arms, to obtain possession of the city.