Early Irish History

IRISH CONFLICT 1909-1922

We will be covering:Representations of Ireland.Early Irish history pre British conquest.

Conquest and colonisation of Ireland under the British until home rule.

Chapters 2,3 & 4 of “Troubled Ireland”

TODAYS LESSON

What would you nominate as a representation of Ireland?

How do these reflect Irish Culture?

STARTER

Between 8000BCE and 950CE, Celtic, Gaelic and Viking migrants settled Ireland. Living in clans with rival chiefs and kings, these first people created a distinctive Gaelic Irish culture.

This culture includes mythical stories about creatures such as leprechauns and Irish warrior hero's such as Finn Mac Cool and Niall Noigiallach .

OLD IRELAND

Mac Cool, born around 300CE, warrior exploits may have been a model for the stories of king Arthur.

Niall founder of the O'Neill royal dynasty. 26 kings between the fifth and tenth centuries.

OLD IRISH HEROES

In 1170, the Irish chieftain Dermott was defeated by another in both love and war. Because of this, he asked for the help of Henry II.

Henry sent lord Strongbow to invade Ireland under Henrys name. The following year, Henry himself invades, and proclaims himself lord of Ireland.

The pope previous confirmation of English crowns right to sovereignty in 1155 caused a smoother transition. Henrys rule only extends to the pale.

1170

Henry VIII converted from Catholicism to Protestantism and begins imposing his religion on both England and Ireland. He also takes the title of “King of Ireland”. This Begins the Reformation stage of Ireland.

He established the Protestant Church of Ireland and attacks traditional Irish customs and language.

Most Irish could not read English nor had no religious motivation to change.

1530S

Elizabeth I, suppressed Irish resistance with military force.

She feared a Irish catholic uprising supported by other catholic nations, such as France or Spain, would lead to an attack on England itself.

The potato is introduced, from south America, enabling more tenants to be fed on less land.

1580S-1603

James I aimed to build support within Ireland by placing English and Scottish Presbyterian Protestants with anti-Catholic prejudices.

He settled these immigrants in plantations of farms on land that was confiscated from Irish rebels.

EARLY 1600S

Cromwell’s protestant parliamentary forces win the English civil war and punished the Irish harshly. Some 616,000 Irish killed or die from disease.

Catholicism was banned, churches burnt, priests killed and one million hectares of land confiscated.

Sixty five thousand Irish sent to Barbados as slaves for sugar plantations.

1650S

New king William (III) of orange defeats old king James II at the battle of the Boyne.

William III then stifles Catholic resistance and established a protestant ascendency in Ireland. More Irish land is confiscated and Irish citizens reduced to being tenant farmers under English landlords.

1690

Continuing diffi culties in controlling Ireland, including a failed revolt two years earlier, coupled with the possibility of the Irish joining the French, leads to the act of union.

The act joined Ireland to England, Scotland and Wales to form Great Britain. The Irish parliament was abolished and only Irish protestants were granted seats in the British parliament.

1800

Read through Chapter two: The seeds of conflict: British rule, Irish resistance.

Complete task one of the Things to do pg. 8

Read through Chapter three: The seeds of conflict: Religion

Complete task one and three of the Things to do pg. 12

Read through chapter four: The seeds of conflict: Economic

ACTIVITIES