Wild Geese in the service of France

The Régiment Irlandois de Dillon – Dillon’s to our friends – is a small and friendly group recreating part of the French Army’s Irish Brigade of the period 1735-1748. Members portray both soldiers and civilian camp followers, to give a full flavour of life in the mid eighteenth century. Having begun in 2008 with quite literally four men and a dog, we are now a thriving society with members from throughout the UK and beyond.

The historic Régiment de Dillon was one of the first to be formed out of Irish Jacobite exiles after the Glorious Revolution, and had a distinguished career that included service in Spain, Germany, Flanders, Scotland, and North America. With the rest of the Irish Brigade it took part in the decisive charge that helped win the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745, and in the following year elements of the unit served in Scotland under Prince Charles Edward Stuart as part of the famous battalion of Irish Picquets.

As a Living History group, we strive to be as authentic as possible in terms of accurate representations of costume and accoutrements, but we have members skilled in manufacturing most items of kit and so cost for a new member ought not be prohibitive. Meetings and Drill sessions are held throughout the year to keep members in touch and stop our skills going rusty, and we take part in a variety of events throughout the re-enacting season as part of Lace Wars.

Dillon’s welcomes recruits of all ages with an interest in the history of the eighteenth century and an enthusiasm for getting the most out of Living History as a hobby.

Vive le Roi!

Contact Details

 Email: dillonsregiment@yahoo.co.uk