2 July 1779: The Irish Brigade/ Brigade des Irlandois in the service of France participated in the capture of the Caribbean island of Grenada on this day. Grenada was one of Britain's richest colonies, producing significant quantities of sugar on its plantations. They were part of an expeditionary force of some 2,300 men tasked with seizing the island from the British garrison based there. France and Britain were at War over the status of the United States, with the French backing the attempts of the Americans to secure their Independence from Britain.

Colonel Arthur Dillon led the soldiers Dillon’s Regiment/ Régiment de Dillon and the overall command of the Expedition rested with Admiral Compte d’Estaing. While Dillon himself was born in England the Governor of Grenada Lord McCartney was born in County Antrim. He had only a small force of about 500 men to resist the invaders and decided to withdraw to the heights of the position known as the Morne de l'Hopital and try to hold out there. Though outnumbered his position was strong and with luck he might have repulsed the assault until expected help arrived. Besides the steep incline, there were several walls on the hillside placed to impede the progress of any attacker. Dillon was sent ahead with a small force to ascertain whether an assault was possible and concluded that it was. 

As dusk fell on the 3rd the French launched a daring three-pronged assault with the Irish Brigade on the centre left. As a mark of honour they were accompanied by d’Estaing himself. Despite the obstacles in their way, the French and Irish troops fought their way up the slope and had taken the position by morning, eventfully forcing McCartney’s unconditional surrender . Several officers of Dillon's regiment were among the 100 casualties sustained by the attackers. Both the British and the French coveted this strategic Caribbean island and within days a British Relief Expedition arrived off its shores to engage the French Navy. They were beaten off and the island remained in French hands until 1783 when it was handed back to Britain on the conclusion of hostilities.