Edward Bruce was the younger brother of Robert the Bruce, the King of Scots. In 1315, King Robert sent his brother to Ireland to create a second front against the Anglo-Normans. Edward landed on the northeast coast of...
Medieval Period of Ireland
The Battle for Ballymote Castle
Built in the early 14th century Ballymote castle stands in the market town of Ballymote in County Sligo, in the province of Connacht. The castle exchanged hands between the Irish and English many times over the course...
The Gallowglasses Arrive From Scotland
From the earliest times, there has always been a lot of movement between the people of Ireland and Scotland. Indeed, it is highly probable that the very first people to live in Ireland entered the country across the...
Castles In Ireland
Ireland is famous for its castles with many in ruin across the Irish countryside and others restored back to its formal glory either as a hotel or tourism location. The classic design of castles didn’t reach Ireland...
Anglo-Normans Invade Ulaid
By the 12th century, the Kingdom of Uladh belonged to Irish dynasty that dominated the northern territories of Ireland but by 1177 they would be overthrown by the invading Anglo-Normans. The invasion of John de Courcy During the Anglo-Normal invasion of 1171, John de...
King Henry II of England Invades Ireland
As Richard de Clare (Strongbow) enjoyed life in Ireland, married into Irish Kingship and gaining land, King Henry II of England became unnerved that some of his loyal subjects were becoming too accustomed to Ireland's way of life. The only solution was for King Henry...
Invasion of Anglo-Normans
The invasion of Anglo-Normans in Ireland was a turning point in Irish history and is considered an important era. Although the conquest of the Normans was short lived in Ireland, approx 200 years, their occupation had a huge influence in Ireland some of which is still...
The Battle of Clontarf
The Battle of Clontarf took place on Good Friday 1014 April 23rd, located near Dublin. The battle was between Brian Boru and the King of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada. Brian Boru had an army of 7,000 men and the King of Leinster had an army of 6,600 men. On Boru's...
King Brian Boru of Ireland
Brian Boru was the last king of Ireland and is said to have been born around 940-950 in Thomond, now known as County Clare, to his mother Bé Binn and father, King Cennétig mac Lorcáin. Brian’s mother was killed by Vikings when he was a child and being the youngest of...
The Viking Settlement of Dublin
When the Vikings came to Ireland they mostly performed hit & run raids. There were no large towns or cities so their raids focused on settlements around costal areas. Ireland did start gaining a reputation as a place of Christian monastic settlements which brought...
History Of Vikings Invading Ireland
The Vikings first invaded Ireland in 795 AD. A small group of Norse warriors attacked a monastery on the east coast, plundering it of its valuables such as relics, and laid it to waste. The history of the Vikings in Ireland spans over 200 years and although it can be...
Medieval Period in Ireland
The Medieval Period or Middle Ages occurred after the Golden Age Period in Ireland. People were already coming from all over Europe to study in Ireland’s monasteries, to trade and even settle. Life in Ireland wasn’t perfect as there had been internal feuds with the...