Early Irish History, Kieran’s lecture notes for Cork-Kerry Failte Ireland, Blue Badge Course, February 2010
St. Patrick
. 430
· Palladius is sent from Rome to Ireland as a bishop.
432
· Patrick starts his Irish mission.
· His fast of 40 days on Croagh Patrick is legendary.
455
· Patrick founds church at Armagh.
550 to 650
· Irish monasticism develops and grows.
Book of Kells
563
· Irish monk Columba establishes his own monastery on Iona (Hebrides, Scotland).
600 to 800
· Irish “Golden Age”, illuminated manuscripts like the “Book of Kells” (on display in Trinity College)and metalware like the “Ardagh Chalice” (today in the National Museum Kildare Street) are created.
· Monasticism and learning flowers.
664
· Synod of Whitby decrees Roman supremacy over Irish Church in conflict over correct date of Easter.
c. 680
· Cult of St. Patrick established through hagiographic “Lives” (mostly fictional biographies).
Viking Attacks
795
· Start of Viking raids on Irish monastic sites (sometimes attracted by the prominent round towers) and settlements.
836
· Vikings start exploring Irish mainland.
837 to 842
· Vikings use the Boyne, the Liffey, Dublin Bay and even Lough Neagh to overwinter.
Diplomatic Relations
842
· Vikings and Irish establish first diplomatic relations and forge alliances.
967
· With the sack of Limerick Irish tribes begin resistance against expanding Viking rule.
Brian Boru
975
· Brian Boru becomes King of Munster.
999
· Brian Boru defeats his main Irish opponents and accepts the surrender of the Viking King of Dublin, Sitric Silkenbeard.
1002
· Brian Boru becomes High King of Ireland.
1014
· Brian Boru defeats the Vikings in the Battle of Clontarf … but is killed himself.
1142
· With the establishment of the first Cistercian house at Mellifont a new form of monasticism enters Ireland.
1155
· Pope Adrian IV (an Englishman) grants possession of Ireland to Henry II of England (but even the papal bull Laudabiliter may be an English forgery).
1166
· King of Leinster Mac Murchada (Dermot McMurrough) emerges as the loser in inner-Irish power struggles, flees to England and starts to raise a mercenary army to conquer Ireland.
The Normans Arrive
1169 to 1171
· Mac Murchada leads his Anglo-Norman allies to Ireland, they conquer vast parts of the island and the adventurer “Strongbow” establishes himself as King of Leinster. Henry II of England accepts the submission of most Irish kings and bishops, thus starting the English rule.
1175
· Rory O’Connor holds the title of “High King of Ireland” and is allowed to rule the unoccupied parts as a vassal of Henry II.
1177
· Prince John, younger brother of Richard the Lionhearted, is made Lord of Ireland.
Anglo-Norman Consolidation
1210
· King John confiscates all Ulster and other lands during his (second) visit, also accepts the submission of numerous Irish kings.
1297
· Meeting of the first Irish parliament in Dublin.
