The return would be triumphant.

Within a year the French would invade England.

In such an invasion the Irish troops, if only they remained unbroken, would assuredly bear a chief part.

In the meantime it was far better for them to live in a neighbouring and friendly country, under the parental care of their own rightful King, than to trust the Prince of Orange, who would probably send them to the other end of the world to fight for his ally the Emperor against the Janissaries.
The help of the Roman Catholic clergy was called in.

On the day on which those who had made up their minds to go to France were required to announce their determination, the priests were indefatigable in exhorting.