6000 BC approx.

First hunters arrive in Ireland – possibly from Scotland

Newgrange

600 BC

Celts arrive in Ireland – bringing language which would become Irish

Celtic Ring Fort

432 AD

St Patrick comes to Ireland introducing Christianity

798 AD

Vikings invade Ireland – initially targeting monasteries then settling and creating towns

Viking Longboat

1166 AD

Normans land in Waterford, invited to Ireland by Diarmuid McMurrugh

A Norman soldier

1014

Battle of Clontarf – Vikings defeated by Brian Boru who died as the battle ended

1348

The Black Plague reaches Ireland – killing about 30% of the population

Mass graves were used during

the plague

1601 AD

The Battle of Kinsale – the English defeat the Irish/Spanish at Kinsale

Map of Kinsale 1601

1919

The War of Independence

Irish fight a guerrilla style war against England to gain Irish independence

Cork City burnt during the Civil War

1845 AD

The Great Famine – caused by a devastating potato blight in the potato crop from 1845 – 50

1 million people starved

1695

The Penal Laws – severe laws to reduce any power Catholics in Ireland may have

Irish Hedge School

1916

The Easter Rising - Turning point in Irish history. Leaders executed after failed Rising

1922

Civil War between pro and anti-Treaty sections in Ireland. Michael Collins assassinated

1939 - 45

The Emergency – following which Ireland was declared a Republic in 1949

History of Ireland Timeline