It was quite a while ago that one poster to this interesting thread asked about the Irish connection with Jacobitism. Ireland had been a separate kingdom under the crown of Britain and the kings of the combined kingdoms of England and Scotland ruled Ireland as well. Irish opposition at this period was not against the monarchy as a system of government (republicanism came to prominence later towards the end of the 18thC) but against the imposition of Protestantism epitomised by the overthrow of the Catholic Stewart dynasty. The Irish had no naive love for the Stewarts(James II was referred to as 'Séamas a' chaca' and Séamas a Dó, lena leathchois Gaelach agus a leathchois Gallda', after his performance in 1690-91) but they could hardly support the new regime which was so disastrous to their prospects. So, when rebellion seemed to have a chance of restoring the old regime the Irish who had something to gain, heartily wished it success and wrote songs to the symbols of that fervent hope, the 'old Pretender' and the 'young Pretender' the legitimate line in their view. A small number of Irish troops accompanied the Jacobite army in Scotland and several of Bonnie Prince Charlie's advisers were Irishmen.