Battle of Knocknaclashy Boyle had inspired a mutiny among the English Royalist garrison in Cork, causing them to defect to the Parliamentarians. This had outflanked the defences of Irish Confederates and English Royalists, causing them to retreat behind the river Shannon into Connacht, where they held the fortified cities of Limerick and Galway. Henry Ireton went on to besiege Limerick. The only organised Irish forces remaining in south Munster were those of Donagh MacCarthy, Viscount Muskerry, who held out in the mountainous area of west Cork and county Kerry – which was his clan’s native territory. In July 1651, Muskerry set out from
Cork–Limerick–Galway corridor closed for commercial traffic in 2016. Galway and Limerick are linked by the M18, and Limerick is linked to Cork by the N20. A motorway, the M20, is planned between Cork and Limerick. All three cities are connected to Dublin via motorway, Cork via the M8, Limerick via the M7 and Galway via the M6. The Western Rail Corridor links the three cities after recent major investment. The three cities are served by the Cork Suburban Rail, Limerick Suburban Rail and Galway Suburban Rail networks. Cork is served by Kent Station, Limerick by Colbert Station and Galway by Galway Station.