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Prehistoric Ireland and the Celts
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With the end of the first glaciation the first inhabitants arrive in the island: they come from Scotland completing the crossing through a isthmus and using small boats. They were hunters and binders. Some characteristic constructions are the Crannog, build up on the water. | |
 3000
b.C. ~ |
The Neolithic begins and the first agriculturists arrive. In this age had been constructed Megalithic Tombs in Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth in the river Boyne valley. Other testimonies of the presence of this people are the numerous dolmen scattered in all the island. | |
| 300
b.C. ~ |
Arrival
of the Celts: two big waves can be recognized, the first come directly
from the South of France and from central Spain (Q-Celts), while the
second one come from the North France and the mouth of Reno passing
through Great Britain (P-Celts). The Celtic population was original of central Europe; they had clear skin, blond-red hair and were higher and sturdier than their contemporaries. Their language was Indo-European. Before their arrival the Irish society was split in " Tuatha ", small reigns. Now instead the country has divided in 5 counties (Leinster, Meath, Connaught, Ulster and Munster) without having a centralized political organization. But a common language, one poetry tradition and music, an only religion and also common laws (Brehon Laws) spread easily throughout the country. |
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| 200
a.C. |
Conn Ced-Cathach forms a monarchy in the centre-northerner part of the island and its rival Eoghan Mor forms one in the southern part. This division will remain in the island until the reign of Brian Boru (XI sec.). Two centuries later a descendant of Conn, Niall of the Nine Hostages, will be the first Ard Ri (Great King) of Ireland. | |
| 432
a.C. |
Saint
Patrick, a Roman-British missionary, has been taken as slave in Ireland.
Once free he will return in order to convert the Celts (Gael) to the
Christianity. He settle down in Armagh and he tries to establish the Roman
model of cetralized government inside the Church.
A lot of monasteries are founded with schools in which a written culture begins to develop (Previously the Celtic culture was handed on only orally). |
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| VII-VIII
sec. |
While the rest of Europe is crossing the so-called dark ages, in Ireland there is a true golden age of Christian-Gael civilization, really important monasteries (Clonmacnoise, Glendalough and Monasterboice) where monks begin to miniate the manuscripts (Book of Kells, Book of Durrow) are erected. Some monks as Colmcille and Colombano become missionaries (Exiles for Christ) and found important monasteries in foreign countries (Iona in Scotland, Luxeuil in France, Bobbio in Italy). | |
| 795
a.C. |
First Viking invaders arrive. They plunder monasteries, and monks, trying to defend themselves, construct high round towers for sights and eventual shelter. After their raids and the thefts Vikings left again for Scandinavia with their booty. | |
| 831
a.C. |
The Viking King Thorgest arrives in North Ireland with many ships and conquest the Ulster, the Connacht and the Meath. They settle down in county Louth and found the city of Dublin. They expand their dominion to South conquering Wexford and Waterford. There isn't an appropriate defence because the Irish Kings are too busy to fight themselves, without thinking to a common defence. | |
| 944
a.C. |
Olaf " Cuaran " becomes King of Dublin State. The new invaders begin to contract weddings with the Irish population carrying therefore to a union between the two cultures. | |
| 968
a.C. |
In
Munster Eogen's dynasty declines and the Dalcassions seize power, guided
by the two brothers Mohan and Brian Boru.
In the Great battle of Sulcoit they defeat the Vikings, while they're trying to expand their dominion, and they keep the control in the southern part of the island. |
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| 980
a.C. |
In the North an other great leader (Malachy) seizes the power and defeats in Tara the invaders protesting the crown of Dublin State. King Olaf surrenders and escapes from Ireland. Ireland is governed in the North part by Malachy and in the South part by Brian Boru while Vikings maintains some outposts in Wexford, Waterford and Dublin. | |
| 1002 |
Brian Boru demands and obtains the role of Ard Ri of all Gaelic Ireland. | |
| 1014 |
Brian Boru has been murdered, after having defeated Vikings along with Leinster citizens in the epic battle of Clontarf. Malachy becomes the new Great King of Ireland but he doesn't be able to hold united the island for the continuous rivalries between the inhabitants of the various regions. | |
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