A Short History of Ireland

PRE-CHRISTIAN IRELAND

6000 BC

first people crossed the narrow channel between Scotland and Ulster

lived close to seas, rivers and lakes, survived by hunting and fishing

3500

Neolithic (New Stone Age) people arrive

grew grain, kept domestic animals for food and hides

1800

first metal-workers; exploited copper deposits in many places, especially in Cork and Kerry

1200

late Bronze Age

emergence of Warrior class

THE CELTS

700

powerful tribes of iron-using warriors became established

known as Celts, they spoke a language akin to Modern Gaelic

first established in Central Europe, spread eastward into Asia Minor, southwards into Italy and Spain and westwards through France to Britain and Ireland

earlier inhabitants remained, but the Celts or Gaels imposed their authority and ultimately their language

remained free from Roman Invasions

THE CELTIC KINGDOMS

700 BC-300 AD

more than one hundred small kingdoms or tuatha ruled by a king or ri

there were some high kings which receives tributes from other kings and kings of the provinces, but no one ruler of the country

5 provinces developed known today as: Ulster, Connacht, Munster, Leinster, and Meath

kings were elected out of a family of royal blood, not necessarily a son; could be a brother, uncle, grandson, or nephew)

THE DRUIDS

exercised great influence

priests, lawyers & judges, politicians

traditions were passed orally (through Bards)

practiced magic & divination

conducted public sacrifices, occasionally human

Christianity ended Druidism

claimed to have built Stonehenge

THE COMING OF CHRISTIANITY

400 AD

became a Christian country

St.Patrick is largely credited with the conversion of the "pagan" Gaels, & the establishment of the Church

MONASTERIES

as gospel spread throughout, growing numbers of people dedicated their lives to God

collapse of Roman Empire meant that communication with the mother church was impaired = Celtic Church

developed its own separate character & rights

500

Crusades

Ireland = land of Saints and Scholars

great number of pilgrims for Christ

VIKINGS

700

new set of invaders

brought a monetary system

ports became centers of power & influence

REFORM OF THE CHURCH

800-1000

period of disruption & the Church's moral standards fell

Church had no influence over marriage, divorce or baptism

KINGS WITH OPPOSITION

1014

high king died - conflicting dynasties

1162

new high king was elected

1166

murdered, new high king

not well enough organized to repel the Anglo-Norman invasion

THE NORMANS IN IRELAND

1100

Normans (the most efficient warriors in Europe at the time) conquered England, Scotland, and Wales

1169

first group landed in Ireland and were pushed out or murdered

1170

second group (larger than the last) landed - the Irish drove their cattle against them

few weeks later, a great leader arrives with more than a thousand troops

killed high king

no more attempts were made to drive them out

1200

Normans had gained control of most of Ireland

effective central government

creation of towns

GAELIC RESISTANCE

conquests slowed to a halt

feudal barons weakened themselves in battle

Wales and Scotland resisted, Ireland fought back as well

Robert & Edward Bruce: brothers, led resistance armies; Robert was crowned high king (1316)

separation between colonists & Irish - colonists had to:

speak English

have English names

keep English customs and dress

not consort with the Irish - unless they had conformed to English ways

1300-1400

revival in Gaelic learning

TUDOR CONQUEST

Henry VIII wanted to conquer all of Great Britain

Ireland could be used as Spanish base

English grew plantations

brought over Anglican Church

REFORMATION

Protestantism brought to Ireland (by John Calvin)

Queen Elizabeth I - cemented English beliefs in Ireland

Tudor conquest was complete - old Gaelic society was doomed

IRELAND UNDER THE STUARTS

1600s

Protestantism grew as a rebellion to English conquerors

society became separated

the Protestants did not convert the Catholics; but, reduced them to impotent subservience

1652

land-confescation begins

1691

Treaty of Limerick

IRELAND: 1700 - PRESENT

1791

Society of United Irishmen was formed

1801

Union of Great Britain and Ireland was formed

1829

Catholic Emancipation attained

1845-9

Potato Famine causes death, hardship and emigration

1869

Church of Ireland disestablished

1920

Government of Ireland Act provides for separate parliaments in Northern and Southern Ireland

1922-23

IRA campaign in Northern Ireland

1998

vote

North and South united = more fighting

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