War of the Austrian Succession

The Irish Brigade presenting captured Colours to Louis XV and, beside him, his son the Dauphin (by Horace Vernet, 1828)

The War of the Austrian Succession involved most European powers over Maria Theresa's succession to the titles of the House of Habsburg. This war was known as King George's War in the British colonies of North America and began after the formal French and British declarations of war reached the colonies in May 1744.

The Irish Brigade of the French Army are believed to have captured the Colour of the 2nd Foot Guards, The Coldstream Guards, on 11 May 1745, at the Battle of Fontenoy when the French fought the Dutch, British and Hanoverian forces. Other accounts state that it was the Colours of Sempill's Regiment of Foot, later known as The King's Own Scottish Borderers. Historical accounts record that the Irish Great Pipes (píob mhór) piped the Brigade's regiments into battle with 'Saint Patrick's Day in the Morning', and 'The White Cockade' - two characteristic Irish airs.

The war ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. Maria Theresa, daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, was confirmed as Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary while Prussia controlled Silesia. It was a return to the status that prevailed ante-bellum.