French soldiers in 17th-century uniform, members of President Chirac's personal guard, took part in a special ceremony at the French embassy in Dublin to honour the role played by the Irish Brigade at the Battle of Fontenoy, which took place 260 years ago this week.
The Irish Brigade was composed of members of the "Wild Geese" who left Ireland to fight in continental wars.
Historians say the French victory over British forces at Fontenoy, which is now part of Belgium, was due primarily to the Irish troops who charged into battle shouting "Remember Limerick", a reference to the Treaty of Limerick of 1691.
A descendant of the Wild Geese, Count Patrick MacMahon, whose ancestors hail from Clare and Limerick, was guest of honour at the ceremony.
The Count, a great-grandson of Marshal Patrice MacMahon, President of France 1873-79, was paying his first visit to Ireland with his wife Beatrix. He wore a tie bearing the MacMahon family crest, an arm wielding an axe.
One of the flags used by the Irish Brigade was on display at the ceremony, belonging to the Dillon Regiment and bearing the slogan In Hoc Signo Vinces (In This Sign You Will Conquer).
The Army Number One Band, conducted by Comdt Mark Armstrong, played French military marches and "The White Cockade", a Scots tune associated with Irish pipers in the Jacobite Rebellion of the mid-1700s. Comdt Paul Rafter of Army HQ led a group of five soldiers from the Fifth Battalion who presented arms at the flag-raising ceremony and there were pipers from McKee Barracks and Cathal Brugha Barracks. Brigadier General Dan Rea represented the Chief of Staff.
The Garde Républicain contingent was headed by Garde Marc Teyssandie.
Chairman of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee Dr Michael Woods was also present.
French ambassador Frederic Grasset said Fontenoy was "an extraordinary example of military history and military courage" and the battle "was won by the Irish Brigade".
He recalled that the French mission in Ireland was originally opened in 1929 on the anniversary of Fontenoy, May 11th.
Addressing the guests, Count MacMahon said the Wild Geese "didn't leave completely" because Ireland "never leaves one's heart".