In 1689 Richards accompanied General Percy Kirke's expedition to relieve Derry which was then being besieged by the Jacobite Irish Army of James II. He served at the successful siege of Carrickfergus and was present at the Battle of the Boyne the following year. He served under Marlborough during the capture of Cork. In 1691 he fought at the Battle of Aughrim and took part in the final Siege of Limerick which ended the war in Ireland.