The History of Ireland | Facts Everyone Should Know

Summary

This script offers a concise journey through Ireland's history, from its early settlers to the rise of the Gaelic Celts and the peaceful Christianization by Saint Patrick. It highlights Ireland's role in preserving Western civilization post-Roman Empire, through the efforts of Irish monks. The narrative unfolds through Viking invasions, Anglo-Norman conquests, and the struggle for independence marked by the Great Famine and the Easter Rising. It concludes with the division into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, acknowledging ongoing efforts for unity and reconciliation.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Romans overlooked Ireland during their conquests, which later allowed the island to play a significant role in preserving Western civilization after the fall of Rome.
• 🌾 Around 4000 BCE, farming was introduced to Ireland, leading to the development of more permanent settlements and the first signs of religious practices through ornate tombs.
• 🔨 The Celts arrived between 700 BCE and 100 BCE, establishing a social and political structure that would last until the 12th century.
• ⚔ The Romans did not conquer Ireland, but Irish-Roman trade is evidenced, and Ireland was largely unaffected by Rome's fall, instead colonizing Britain.
• ✝️ Christianity was introduced to Ireland by the 5th century, with Saint Patrick credited for its peaceful transition and becoming the island's patron saint.
• 📚 Irish monks played a crucial role in spreading literacy and preserving religious and secular manuscripts during the Dark Ages.
• 🏛 The Vikings' invasions in the 8th century marked the first violent incursions into Ireland, leading to the destruction of monasteries but also the introduction of cities and commerce.
• 👑 The Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th century significantly altered Irish history, with Henry II naming himself 'Lord of Ireland' and initiating a system of governance still reflected today.
• 🛡 The English attempts to impose Protestantism and political control over Ireland led to a two-class system known as the 'Protestant Ascendancy', causing deep resentment among the Irish.
• 🗝️ The 19th century saw the push for Irish emancipation, with Daniel O'Connell leading the way and the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 allowing Catholics to hold most government offices.
• 🌾 The Great Famine of the 1840s devastated Ireland, leading to significant emigration and a hardened desire for independence from England.

Q & A

Why did the Romans not conquer Ireland during their expansion?

The Romans did not conquer Ireland because they did not pay attention to the small island off the coast of Britain. There is no archaeological evidence that they ever tried, even though there was trade between the Irish and the Romans living in Britain.

How did Ireland contribute to the preservation of Western civilization after the fall of Rome?

Ireland contributed by becoming a stronghold for Christianity and literacy. Irish monks spread the gospel and protected classic religious and secular manuscripts, thus preserving knowledge and culture during the period of decline after the Roman Empire fell.

What significant change did the introduction of farming bring to the early settlers of Ireland around 4000 BCE?

The introduction of farming led to the people cutting down parts of the woods, tilling the land, and building houses, furniture, and fencing. They also began constructing stone dwellings for their dead, which marked the first signs of religious practices in ancient Ireland.

What role did Saint Patrick play in Ireland's history?

Saint Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland no later than 431 CE. The transition from pagan religions to Christianity was peaceful, with no Irish martyrs during this time, and he is recognized as the island's patron saint by both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

How did the arrival of the Vikings impact Ireland?

The Vikings attacked Ireland, marking the first violent invasion the island experienced. They destroyed many monasteries but also built cities, introduced the Irish to broader commerce, and better weaponry. Their presence served as a common enemy, which helped unite the Irish kingdoms to some extent.

What was the significance of the Anglo-Norman Invasion in 1169 for Ireland?

The Anglo-Norman Invasion marked a significant change in Irish history. It began with the arrival of Henry II of England in 1169 to mediate a royal dispute and resulted in the conquest of much of Ireland by 1172, leading to the establishment of English influence and the creation of a national government model still used today.

How did the Reformation affect the relationship between England and Ireland in the 16th century?

The Reformation led to England becoming Protestant while Ireland remained Catholic. This caused further oppression of the Irish people as the English attempted to impose religious reform, which deepened the resentment and division between the two groups.

What was the 'Ascendancy' or 'Protestant Ascendancy' in Ireland?

The 'Ascendancy' or 'Protestant Ascendancy' refers to the period when Protestant English settlers in Ireland exercised complete control over the island, creating a two-class system that favored themselves and excluded Catholics from political and social participation.

What was the impact of the Great Famine on Ireland in the 1840s?

The Great Famine had a devastating impact on Ireland, with a potato blight leading to widespread crop failure and famine. It resulted in the death of thousands and the emigration of about one-quarter of the population, intensifying the resentment towards the English for their lack of help during the disaster.

How did the divisions in Ireland affect the push for independence?

The divisions in Ireland, which were economic, religious, and political, made it difficult for the Irish to successfully advocate for emancipation and Home Rule. It wasn't until after World War I, with events like the Easter Rising, that a push for national independence gained momentum, despite the divisions that remained.

What is the current situation regarding the relationship between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland?

While the Republic of Ireland has experienced economic growth and stability, tensions continue in Northern Ireland between Protestants and Catholics. However, both governments are working together to resolve their differences and celebrate a shared Irish identity.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ The Origins of Ireland and Its Early History

This paragraph introduces the early history of Ireland, explaining how the island remained largely unnoticed during the Roman conquest of Europe. Despite its isolation, Ireland would eventually play a crucial role in preserving Western civilization after the fall of Rome. The first settlers, arriving between 8000 and 7000 BCE, were hunter-gatherers who lived near the coasts and rivers in small nomadic groups. Major developments began around 4000 BCE with the introduction of farming, leading to the construction of homes and religious structures. The Celts, arriving between 700 and 100 BCE, further shaped Ireland, introducing a structured political system and integrating their culture with the locals. Though untouched by Roman conquest, Ireland thrived in its own unique way, especially as Christianity arrived peacefully by the 5th century CE, largely attributed to Saint Patrick.

05:03

⚔️ The Viking Invasions and Ireland’s Political Evolution

The paragraph describes Ireland’s encounter with the Vikings in the 8th century, marking the first violent invasion the island had experienced. Despite the destruction caused, the Viking presence eventually contributed to the development of cities and commercial connections. The Irish kings began uniting to resist the Viking invasions, which laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of high kingship by the 12th century. However, the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1169 changed Ireland’s course dramatically, as Henry II of England claimed control over parts of the island, and his son King John initiated a feudal system that transformed Irish governance, creating a national government structure that still influences modern Ireland.

10:04

🛡️ Anglo-Norman Influence and Irish Resistance

This paragraph outlines the significant impact of the Anglo-Normans in Ireland after their conquest in the 12th century. The Anglo-Normans took control of most of the land and established a new ruling class known as the Anglo-Irish, who imposed their laws and customs while exploiting the island’s resources. Despite their dominance, the Anglo-Irish began to lose influence as famine, disease, and absentee landownership weakened their grip. Ireland fell into deep economic and social disarray during this period, exacerbated by the ongoing feuds among local Irish kings and the declining presence of Anglo-Irish landowners. The tensions between English Protestants and Irish Catholics became more pronounced during the Reformation, laying the groundwork for future conflicts.

⛪ Religious and Social Division in Ireland

This paragraph delves into the religious and social divides between the English Protestant rulers and the Irish Catholic majority, particularly during the Protestant Ascendancy. England’s imposition of Protestantism created a two-class system in Ireland, with penal laws severely restricting Catholic participation in politics and society. This period was marked by oppression, resentment, and inequality, with English Protestants enjoying privileges that were denied to the native Irish Catholics. Despite the peace during the Ascendancy, economic growth was stifled due to English restrictions on Irish trade, fostering greater unity between Protestants and Catholics in their shared frustration with English rule. The call for Irish independence grew stronger, though it faced significant challenges due to internal divisions.

🌾 The Great Famine and the Push for Irish Independence

This paragraph focuses on the catastrophic effects of the Great Famine in Ireland, which began in 1845. A potato blight ravaged the island's main food source, leading to widespread starvation and emigration. The British government's inadequate response to the crisis fueled Irish resentment toward English rule, further intensifying the desire for independence. Although the famine left lasting scars, the Irish push for nationalism and freedom gained momentum, though it remained fractured due to deep divisions among the people. Charles Stewart Parnell's leadership helped focus efforts on Home Rule, but the outbreak of World War I delayed any significant progress toward Irish autonomy.

💔 Division and Independence: Ireland in the 20th Century

The final paragraph discusses Ireland's path to independence after World War I. The Easter Rising in 1916, although initially unpopular, ignited nationalist fervor when the British government responded harshly to Irish political dissent. After the war, Ireland was divided into Northern Ireland, which remained part of the UK, and the Republic of Ireland, which gained independence. The 20th century was marked by continued strife, particularly in Northern Ireland, where religious, economic, and political divisions led to decades of conflict. Despite the challenges, the Republic of Ireland experienced economic stabilization and growth by the 1960s, offering hope for a prosperous future. However, tensions in Northern Ireland persisted as efforts continued to unify the island.

Keywords

💡Romans

The Romans were an ancient civilization that conquered vast territories across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. In the context of the video, they are noted for their lack of interest in Ireland during their expansion, which allowed Ireland to develop independently and later play a significant role in preserving Western civilization after the fall of Rome. The script mentions that 'the Romans did not conquer Ireland, and there is no archeological evidence that they ever tried.'

💡Ireland

Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, known for its unique cultural and historical contributions. The video script highlights Ireland's role in saving Western civilization post-Roman Empire and its development of rich art, music, and literature. The term is repeatedly used to describe the geographical and cultural focus of the video, such as 'a little island off the coast of Britain called Ireland.'

💡Gaelic Celts

The Gaelic Celts were a cultural group in Ireland that emerged from the blending of the indigenous people with the Celts who arrived between 700 BCE and 100 BCE. They established a social and political structure that included kings and a strict hierarchy, which persisted until the Anglo-Norman conquest. The script refers to this development as 'The Celts mixed with the people and created what we recognize today as the Gaelic Celts.'

💡Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, credited with bringing Christianity to the island. His influence was significant in the peaceful transition from pagan religions to Christianity in Ireland, as mentioned in the script: 'Saint Patrick is credited with bringing the religion to the island, and the transition from pagan religions to Christianity was so peaceful that there were no Irish martyrs during this time!'

💡Monasteries

Monasteries were religious institutions that served as centers of education in Ireland from the 6th to the 12th centuries. They played a crucial role in preserving literacy and protecting religious and secular manuscripts after the fall of the Roman Empire. The script illustrates their importance: 'encouraging the Irish to settle around churches and monasteries, which became the center of education.'

💡Vikings

The Vikings were seafaring people from Northern Europe who raided and traded from their bases in Scandinavia. In the script, they are depicted as the first to violently invade Ireland, bringing both destruction to monasteries and new elements to Irish society, such as cities and commerce: 'Unlike the Romans, there was nowhere too far for the Vikings to travel, and they attacked Ireland – the first violent invasion the island had ever experienced!'

💡Anglo-Norman Invasion

The Anglo-Norman Invasion refers to the period in the 12th century when the English and Normans invaded Ireland, leading to significant political and social changes. The script describes this as a pivotal moment in Irish history: 'The Anglo-Norman Invasion began in May of 1169, and they took Dublin on September 21, 1170.'

💡Great Famine

The Great Famine, also known as the Irish Potato Famine, was a period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration in Ireland between 1845 and 1852. The script discusses its devastating impact on Ireland's population and the resentment it fostered towards the English: 'In 1845, the Great Famine swept through Western Europe and left devastating damage in Ireland.'

💡Easter Rising

The Easter Rising was an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916. It aimed to establish an independent Irish Republic and ended with a British victory. The script notes its significance in awakening nationalism and the push for Irish independence: 'a small faction planned and launched the Easter Rising.'

💡Catholic Emancipation

Catholic Emancipation refers to the series of political measures in the early 19th century that removed various civil disabilities and restrictions that had been imposed on Roman Catholics in the United Kingdom. The script highlights the 1829 Catholic Emancipation Bill as a key event for Irish Catholics: 'the Catholic Emancipation Bill passed Parliament, and the Irish Catholics were allowed to hold any governmental office except the two highest.'

💡Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

The division of the island of Ireland into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland occurred after World War I, with Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland gaining independence. The script discusses this division as a result of long-standing tensions and differing aspirations among the Irish people: 'After World War I, the island was divided into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.'

Highlights

Ireland was overlooked by the Romans during their conquests, becoming a key preserver of Western civilization after Rome's fall.

Early settlers in Ireland were hunters and gatherers, arriving between 8000 and 7000 BCE from Scotland or England.

Introduction of farming around 4000 BCE led to the development of permanent settlements and stone tombs, indicating early religious practices.

Celtic influence from 700 to 100 BCE shaped the Gaelic culture and established a social and political hierarchy in Ireland.

The Roman Empire's fall had minimal impact on Ireland, which instead expanded into Britain and encountered Christianity.

Saint Patrick is credited with peacefully introducing Christianity to Ireland, becoming the island's patron saint.

Christianity's spread encouraged the establishment of churches and monasteries as centers of education from the 6th to the 12th centuries.

Irish monks played a crucial role in preserving literacy and manuscripts after the fall of the Roman Empire.

Viking invasions in the 8th century marked Ireland's first experience with violent conquest, leading to the construction of cities and exposure to new commerce practices.

The Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th century introduced English influence and led to the establishment of a national government model still in use today.

The 14th century saw Ireland suffer from famine and the Black Death, contributing to England's loss of control over the island.

The Reformation in the 16th century deepened divisions between the English Protestants and the Irish Catholics, leading to further oppression.

The Nine Years War and the subsequent English conquest of Ulster solidified English control but also intensified local resistance.

The Great Famine of the 1840s caused significant population loss through emigration and heightened resentment towards the English.

The Easter Rising in 1916 sparked a renewed push for Irish independence, despite divisions among the population.

The 20th century saw Ireland industrialize and stabilize its economy, leading to increased prosperity and hope for the future.

Northern Ireland continues to experience tensions between Protestants and Catholics, but collaborative efforts are being made for reconciliation.

Transcripts

When the Romans were conquering the world, they  didn't pay any attention to a little island off  

the coast of Britain called Ireland. How did such  a small island save Western civilization after  

Rome fell? And how did such a tiny island go on to  provide some of the most interesting art, music,  

and writing available today? Irish history is full of unique  

characters who believed in the power of the Irish  spirit, culture, and independence, and they longed  

to share that with the world. Get ready for a  brief introduction to the history of Ireland,  

where we'll introduce the major events and people  who built Ireland into the country it is today. 

Historians believe the first people arrived in  Ireland between 8000 and 7000 BCE. We don't know  

much about these first settlers of Ireland,  but we know they were hunters and gatherers,  

and they probably first sailed to  Ireland from Scotland or England.  

The first people lived near the coasts, rivers,  and woods to stay close to natural resources, but  

they never founded towns or cities. Instead, they  stayed in small, nomadic groups that were always  

ready to move in search of more food and water. This all changed around 4000 BCE when new settlers  

introduced farming to the Irish people. Over time,  the people cut down parts of the woods, tilled the  

land, and built houses, furniture, and fencing.  They also began building stone dwellings for  

their dead, which is our first glimpse into the  religious lives of the ancient people of Ireland.  

The tombs were often ornate, and the dead  were buried with pottery and other items  

they might need in the afterlife. The Irish continued to develop – they  

learned how to use metal and built better tools  for farming – but the next big culture change came  

from the Celts, who arrived gradually from 700  BCE to 100 BCE. The Celts mixed with the people  

and created what we recognize today as the Gaelic  Celts. The Celts first established a social and  

political structure in Ireland, which had kings  and a strict hierarchy. Although the government  

evolved throughout the years, it stood until  the Anglo-Norman conquest of the 12th century. 

The Romans did not conquer Ireland, and there is  no archeological evidence that they ever tried,  

even though there is evidence that the Irish  traded with the Romans living in Britain.  

When Rome fell, Ireland was largely unimpacted;  instead, they began to settle colonies in Britain. 

As the Irish moved out from their  island after the Roman Empire,  

they encountered Christianity in Britain and  brought it back to Ireland no later than 431 CE.  

Saint Patrick is credited with bringing the  religion to the island, and the transition from  

pagan religions to Christianity was so peaceful  that there were no Irish martyrs during this time!  

Saint Patrick was named the island's patron saint,  

and he is still recognized and honored today  by both the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches. 

Christianity changed the country by  encouraging the Irish to settle around  

churches and monasteries, which became the center  of education from the 6th to the 12th centuries.  

Irish monks would travel far and wide as part of  their faith, spreading the gospel and encouraging  

fellow believers in other countries. After  the fall of the Roman Empire, the monks  

were also spreading literacy and protecting  classic religious and secular manuscripts. 

The Irish also developed into small kingdoms,  usually following a wealthy and powerful  

individual who lived nearby. The kingdoms  fought each other for resources and dominance. 

This division continued through the 8th century,  when the Vikings began to arrive. Unlike the  

Romans, there was nowhere too far for the Vikings  to travel, and they attacked Ireland – the first  

violent invasion the island had ever experienced!  Although the Vikings destroyed many monasteries,  

they also built cities and introduced the Irish to  a broader world of commerce and better weaponry.  

They also served as a common enemy who finally  helped the kings of Ireland start uniting into  

a cohesive country because the Irish needed to  make alliances to survive the Viking invasions.  

Some Vikings settled in Ireland  and acquired farming land,  

so by the mid-10th century, life in Ireland  had returned to the normal feuding among kings.  

Dynasties continued to grow, and by the  12th century, there were only a handful  

of kingdoms in Ireland, and Ireland began  establishing a high king that had actual power. 

But all their work was stopped in 1169 by  the Anglo-Norman Invasion, when Henry II of  

England was invited to mediate a royal dispute  between MacMurrough and High King O'Connor.  

MacMurrough wanted help in his rebellion  against the High King, but by asking Henry  

II into Ireland, he started one of the  most remarkable changes in Irish history. 

The Anglo-Norman Invasion began in May of 1169,  and they took Dublin on September 21, 1170.  

By 1172, enough of Ireland had been conquered  that Henry II named himself the "Lord of Ireland."  

Although he quickly lost interest in the island,  other Englishmen did not. His son, King John,  

split Ireland into tenants, which he gave  to nobles, and he set up the first Irish  

national government, which is still used  as a model for Irish government today. 

Eventually, counties began to take  precedence over the rights of landowners.  

By 1250, the Anglo-Normans had taken about  three-fourths of the land, leaving the less  

ideal remaining portions for the Irish. The Irish  felt angry and bitter towards their conquerors,  

and in the mid-1200s, they began to resist  and fight back. Sadly, such resistance failed;  

the Irish could not drive the Anglo-Normans from  their homeland. Instead, the Anglo-Normans settled  

down and began calling themselves Anglo-Irish—they  built castles, wrote laws against the traditional  

Irish culture, and joined in the feuds to  keep the locals fighting among themselves.  

The island was drained of its natural resources,  and its people were sent to fight English wars. 

Still, the constant feuding eventually caused  the wealthy landowners to move back to England.  

Although the Anglo-Irish still  technically owned their vast estates,  

they were absentee and had no way to protect  them, so the locals moved in and terrified their  

Anglo-Irish neighbors. Ireland also suffered from  famine and the Black Death in the 14th century,  

which also drove away the Anglo-Irish.  Eventually, England lost control of the  

entire island except for Dublin. The Anglo-Irish who remained  

took control of the government, ensuring  their own interests were represented.  

Although the locals outnumbered them, the Irish  could never unite into a confederation, so the  

Anglo-Irish remained in power over the island  as they strained against the King of England. 

The tensions between the English and the Irish  continued to grow in the 16th century because  

of the Reformation, which swept across  Europe and saw England become Protestant.  

Ireland remained Catholic, and the English  attempts at religious reform on the island  

led to further oppression of the local  people and resentment between the two groups.  

England decreed that only Protestant Englishmen  could take political office, which excluded  

the Irish from having their own government. The Irish fought against the English colonization,  

but the English were persistent, fueled  by religious fervor, economic interests,  

and cultural arrogance. In the Nine Years War –  fought in Ireland from 1593-1603 – the English  

conquered the Ulster providence, the last of  the Gaelic strongholds. In 1653, the English  

had successfully transplanted a new official  church and governmental system on the island,  

but they could never wholly quench the local  practice of Catholicism or the local culture. 

Instead, the English Protestants created a  two-class system that favored themselves, and  

they called it the "Ascendancy" or the "Protestant  Ascendancy." Essentially, two separate societies  

were living in Ireland, and they both resented  the existence of the other. The Protestants  

exercised complete control of the island,  passing penal laws to prevent Catholics from  

participating politically or socially in society,  and they enjoyed all the benefits of privilege. 

The Catholics remember this period as a time  of great oppression, even though they were the  

majority on the island. The Ascendancy is the  most extended period of peace in Irish history,  

but they could not achieve great prosperity. They  did achieve some, but the English restricted the  

island's access to transatlantic trade, which  limited the island's economic growth. Both groups  

in Ireland resented the English for that, and  for the first time, the Protestants and Catholics  

joined together. When the Irish Parliament  secured its virtual freedom, the Catholic Irish  

began to demand more rights, and inspired by the  revolutions in America and France; they wanted an  

Irish Republic that Englishmen didn't rule. Their  loss led to a forced union with Great Britain in  

1801, but even as part of the United Kingdom,  the Irish were not treated as equal citizens. 

The Irish continued to resist English rule,  pushing for their emancipation, and they were  

led by Daniel O'Connell, an Irish politician who  believed in the power of non-violent resistance.  

In 1828, O'Connell was elected as an  MP in the British Cabinet. Technically,  

because he was Catholic, O'Connell was not  allowed to have this office, but the English  

feared the Irish would react violently if  they were denied this victory. So, in 1829,  

the Catholic Emancipation Bill passed Parliament,  and the Irish Catholics were allowed to hold any  

governmental office except the two highest –  lord-lieutenant and lord chancellor of Ireland. 

The 1800s were also a time of great hardship.  In 1845, the Great Famine swept through Western  

Europe and left devastating damage in Ireland. A  potato blight swept through the island, leaving  

thirty to forty percent of the crop inedible. By  1846, the blight had settled on the whole island.  

Although the English initially offered help, the  anti-Irish sentiments led them to rely on private  

groups to feed the people. Thousands died while  the English politicians ignored the Irish plight.  

Those who could leave Ireland did,  and historians estimate that Ireland  

lost one-quarter of its population to  emigration alone during the Great Famine. 

The Irish who remained and survived felt an  even greater resentment towards the English  

for not helping during the disaster, and more  than ever, they wanted Irish independence.  

However, their push for nationalism achieved  little because of the divisions on the island  

until after World War I. The people were divided  economically, religiously, and politically,  

and all of this division made it hard for them  to successfully advocate for emancipation and  

Home Rule, which Charles Stewart Parnell  led. The English put the push for Irish  

independence on hold during World War I, and  while most of the Irish were content to wait,  

a small faction planned and  launched the Easter Rising.  

The public was angry with the rebels and supported  the government for putting down the rebellion,  

but when the government began to arrest innocent  citizens because of their political beliefs,  

nationalism awoke, and the people  once again pushed for their freedom. 

However, Ireland had been divided for so long  that they remained divided even as they pushed for  

freedom. After World War I, the island was divided  into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  

Even though they were no longer a colony of  England, the tensions and strife between the  

different religious, economic, and political  factions continued throughout the 1900s.  

Even as Ireland industrialized, they saw huge  population losses to emigration, and their economy  

only began to stabilize in the 1960s, leading  to more prosperity for all. As the economy grew  

and stabilized, the Republic of Ireland started to  give the Irish people hope for a better tomorrow. 

Although the South is doing well, tensions  continue in Northern Ireland between the  

Protestants and the Catholics, but the two  governments are working together to see how  

they can resolve their differences and join  together in a celebration of all things Irish. 

To learn more about Ireland, check out our  book, Irish History: A Captivating Guide to  

the History of Ireland. It's available as  an e-book, paperback, and audiobook. Also,  

grab your free mythology bundle e-book while it's  still available. All links are in the description.  

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