VIKINGS IN IRELAND • Vikings arrived in Ireland between 795 and 850 AD, quickly establishing settlements on the
island. Originally, these longphorts were bases for attacking the native Gaelic Irish but
soon developed into centres for trade and commerce.
• The first Viking settlement was founded in 841 on the south bank of the River Liffey.
Dubh linn would later develop into modern day Dublin. Dublin was protected by a ditch and
earthen mound with a high wooden fence. By the mid-tenth century, Viking raids in Ireland
• had died out while Vikings became a part of Irish life.
• The Vikings were converted to Christianity by Irish monks and had their first bishop by
1028. This resulted in the building of Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin.
THE NORMANS IN IRELAND • The Normans originally came from France before they were led by William the Conqueror
in the conquest of England following the Battle of Hastings.
• In 1167, the King of Leinster – Dermot MacMurrough – invited an Norman army to Ireland
in order to reclaim his kingdom which had been stripped from him by the High King, Rory
O’Connor. This led to the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.
• MacMurrough made a deal with Richard de Clare (Strongbow) for a Norman army in
exchange for Strongbow's marriage to MacMurrough's daughter, Aoife. Together, they would
reclaim the Kingdom of Leinster before MacMurrough’s death in 1171.
• Fearing Strongbow would become too powerful, Henry II arrived in September 1171 with his
own force and took over many parts of Ireland, declaring himself ‘Lord of Ireland’.
IMPACT OF THE NORMANS • The Normans had a huge impact on Ireland after their conquest:
ON THE ISLAND OF IRELAND • They introduced the feudal system to Ireland
• They built big castles such as Trim, Carrickfergus and Kilkenny.
• Farming practices shifted from animal keeping to crop growing.
• English Common Law replaced the old Gaelic Brehon Law system.
• Norman names became very common that include “Fitz” and Burke, Butler and Browne.
• The Normans introduced English rule to Ireland. It would last for nearly 800 years.
Vikings Strongbow Vikings arrived in Ireland between 795 and 850 AD, establishing their first settlement in
Longphorts Henry II modern day Dublin. By the mid-tenth century, Viking raids had died out with Vikings becoming
Gaelic Irish Feudal System a part of Irish life and adopting Christianity. They were followed by the Anglo-Normans who,
Dubh Linn Anglo-Normans in 1167 (Strongbow) and 1171 (King Henry II) successfully invaded parts of Ireland. They
William the Conqueror brought with them the English language and common law, the feudal system, Norman
Battle of Hastings names, stone castles and new farming methods. They brought Ireland under English
English Common Law control which would bring nearly 800 years of conflict to the island.
• A group of people descended from the Anglo-Normans. Most had adopted the Gaelic Irish
Anglo-Irish way of life by the 1500s.
• Descendants of the Vikings who settled in Normandy in France, later conquering England
Normans and Ireland.
• A group of people in the Pale who were loyal to the King and descended from the Anglo-
Old English Saxons.
The Pale • The area within and around Dublin where English rule was at its strongest.
