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3000 BCE
Early settlements
Human settlements in Ireland known from 3000 BC. Hill of Tara - Ancient ceremonial and burial site (Co. Meath) -
500 BCE
Celtic tribes
The early Celtic tribes are knows as La Tene and is successor Hallstatt culture and can be found in Central Europe. The tribes migrated west and settled in Ireland from 500 BC, although this is still up for debate. -
300 BCE
Celtic culture
Highly influential in today's Irish culture; language, religious traditions, music, art etc. -
431
Christianity
The coming of christian monks such as St Patrick to spread christianity can be dated in the 5th century. -
795
The Vikings
The Vikings raided monasteries and towns, followed by the building of forts and settlements (Dublin/Limerick) which made them an influential power next to the Irish Kings.
These Norsemen lost their power in the late 10th to early 11th century CE (Credits went to King Brian Boru in the battle of Clontarf in 1014).
By then they were already integrated into Irish society through intermarriage and close contact with the locals, and left a lasting mark on both commerce and culture. -
1000
Irish Travellers
Irish Travellers are a traditionally nomadic, indigenous, ethno-cultural group originating in Ireland.
They are predominantly English-speaking, though many also speak Shelta, a language of mixed English and Irish origin. The majority of Irish Travellers are Roman Catholic.
Origins: Branche of the Celtic tribes, victims of evictions (1640s Cromwell, Irish famine 1850s)
They have a low status and only since 2017 recognition of ethnic status. -
1169
The English invasion of Ireland
During the reign of Henry II of England considerable parts of Ireland were conquered. The Irish chiefs (O,Neill, O'Donnell)with archaic and ineffectual fighting methods were not able to stand united against the English.
Henry installed lords of the English-Norman upperclass as vassals (Fitzgerald, Burke, Butler) These dynasties, next to some subdued Irish pinces shaped Irelands future with the establishment of a prosperous English Colony (later these first settlers were called the Old-English). -
1580
The Protestant Conquest
During the reign of Elizabeth I a campaign of religious and civil reformation took place in Ireland influenced by the poet/politician Edmund Spenser. He considered the Irish culture backward and artless. There was need for civilisation and he saw landed acquisitions a legitimate reward.
Walter Raleigh took up this mission to bring Renaissance ideas and the Reformed faith to Ireland. In four wars Irish resistance was brought down. The help from Spain and the pope was too little and too late. -
The plantations
Catholic Ireland was now dominated by English Protestants. The mutual distrust of these two groups made replacement of native people with settlers from Scotland, England and Wales the best solution to a security problem.
Two Irelands came into being; A Catholic, mainly Gaelic speaking and a Protestant, English speaking part.
Especially in Ulster the superior (Presbyterian) Protestant dominance over the Irish was felt with bitterness and animosity. -
The Irish rebellion 1641
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 was an uprising in Ireland, initiated on 23 October 1641 by Catholic gentry and military officers. Their demands included an end to anti-Catholic discrimination, greater Irish self-governance, and return of confiscated Catholic lands.
This rebellion outraged Oliver Cromwell and his forces finally subjugated Ireland by 1653, causing 20% of the Irish population as casualties. -
The Protestant Ascendancy
During and after Cromwell the period of Protestant Ascendancy started. The great change of ownership of land. A ruling class of Protestant Scottish and English origin replaced Catholic landlords and dominated the native, Catholic peasantry.
Besides that the discrimination of Catholic people continued. Already during Elizabeth's reign Catholics were banned from higher education (Trinity college 1591). From the 1670's Penal laws came into practice. -
Penal Laws
Anti-Catholic legislative enactments, also hid some Presbyterian. Mainly in favour of protestants of the Church of Ireland. 'Keeping poor Ireland poor'.
Idea behind: concentrating property and the holding of public offices into loyal hands.
Examples of the laws that came into power:
-Not allowed in the army/possess weapons
-Not inherit
-Hanging of priests
-Not travel further than 5 miles from his house
-Not owning a horse over 5 pounds
-Not speaking Gaelic/playing Irish music -
Influence of Revolutions
In the 1780s/90s Ireland was influenced by the American and French Revolutions. The (pro-American) Protestant patriots formed an armed body: Irish Volunteers. Some relaxation of commercial laws, legislative independence and an Irish (Grattan's) parliament was installed in1782.
Also a cross-cultural movement was found with the United Irishmen (1791) under Theobald Wolfe Tone A crucial period in the making of Modern Ireland:
The start of as well as Irish republicanism and British Unionism. -
Irish Rebellion 1798
Resurrection against the British crown seeking complete independence. Involved:
(mainly Presbyterian) United Irishmen, Catholics, (little help of) French army. The rebellion was suppressed, leaving 10.000-30.000 dead. Reaction on formation United Irishmen - establishment of Orange Order: lower class protestants that were fearful of Catholic separatism and and the non-denominational message of UI. Loyalists.
Also suppression by Dublin Castle. -
Acts of Union
Before in a personal union, the Kingdoms of Ireland and Great Britain were now connected in a Union. This meant the dissolvement of the Irish parliament. Ireland was directly governed from Westminster. Background; a breakaway of Ireland (and becoming allied to the French) with greater Catholic emancipation would be less likely in a Union.