Wild Geese

"Wild Geese" refers to the Irish soldiers who left Ireland to join foreign armies, particularly in Europe, during the 17th and 18th centuries. This migration followed the defeat of Irish forces in various conflicts, notably the Williamite War. Seeking opportunities and better lives, many Irish men enlisted in armies like those of France and Spain. The term symbolizes both a significant historical movement and the quest for identity and belonging among the Irish diaspora. The phrase is also popularized in poetry, notably by W.B. Yeats, capturing themes of loss and longing for homeland.