Major-General Kirke was appointed to the command of the troops embarked on this service, on which the Queen Dowager's Regiment was employed, and, with Sir John Hanmer's (the 11th) Regiment, sailed from Liverpool on the 21st of May. Great difficulties were encountered in gaining access to Londonderry on account of the batteries which had been erected on each side of the river by the besieging army. At length the ship Mountjoy, under convoy of the Dartmouth frigate, forced a boom or barrier which had been placed across the river to obstruct the entrance, and General Kirke succeeded in landing men and provisions. The troops of King James were so dispirited by the success of this enterprize, that they abandoned the siege in the night, and retired with precipitation, after having lost some thousands of men before the place. [Sidenote: 1690] The Queen Dowager's Regiment continued in Ireland, and served with distinction in the army of King William at the battle of the _Boyne_ on the 1st of July, 1690. It was also employed in the siege of _Limerick_; in the relief of _Birr_; and in December drove a division of the enemy out of _Lanesborough_. [Sidenote: 1691] In 1691 four men per company were mounted, and performed dragoon's duty[17]: the grenadier company was also mounted. In February the mounted part of the regiment distinguished itself in an action at the _Moat of Grenogue_; and the remainder of the regiment took _Cairn Castle_ and _Conway Castle_. In May the regiment defeated a body of Rapparees near _Wyands-Town_. It was afterwards employed at the siege of _Athlone_, which was carried by storm on the 30th of June, 1691. It is recorded that 'never was a more desperate service, nor was ever exploit performed with more valour and intrepidity.' Lieut.-General De Ginkell, to whom King William had entrusted the command of his army, was created Earl of Athlone for his conduct and success on this occasion. On the 4th of July ten mounted grenadiers of the Queen's Regiment and twenty horse, engaged 400 of the enemy's cavalry in the woods of _Clanoult_, and displayed astonishing bravery. Our men defended a bridge until half their numbers were killed, and then retired. The Queen Dowager's Regiment was engaged at the decisive battle of _Aghrim_, in the county of Galway, on the 12th of July, 1691, when the French General St. Ruth was killed, and about 4000 of his troops. It was also engaged in the second siege of Limerick; and on the 22nd of September distinguished itself in an attack upon the works which covered Thoumond Bridge. So great was the loss of the enemy, that the place surrendered a few days afterwards. The ambition and power of Louis XIV. caused England to unite with other nations to check the designs of France, and in 1689 the Earl of Marlborough proceeded to Flanders with several English regiments to join the army of the confederacy. In 1691 King William assumed the command of the allied forces in Flanders.