Important sites related toIrish history.

Timeline of Irish History: Key Events and Figures

Ireland’s history is a rich mix of culture, conflict, and transformation, shaped by numerous pivotal events and influential figures. Here’s a concise timeline highlighting key moments and personalities that have defined Irish history.

Prehistoric Ireland (c. 10,000 BC 500 AD)

  • Mesolithic Era (c. 10,000 4,000 BC): The earliest known human presence in Ireland, characterized by hunter-gatherer societies.
  • Neolithic Era (c. 4,000 2,500 BC): Introduction of farming and construction of megalithic tombs like Newgrange.
  • Bronze Age (c. 2,500 500 BC): Development of metalworking skills and the emergence of complex societies.
  • Iron Age (c. 500 BC 500 AD): Arrival of the Celts, establishment of tribal kingdoms, and the construction of ring forts.

Early Christian Period (c. 400 800 AD)

  • Saint Patrick (c. 385 461 AD): Brought Christianity to Ireland and established monasteries that became centers of learning and culture.
  • Monastic Golden Age (c. 600 800 AD): Ireland became known as the “Island of Saints and Scholars” due to its monastic schools and illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Kells.

Viking Era (c. 800 1014 AD)

  • Viking Invasions (c. 795 1014 AD): Vikings established settlements and trade routes, notably founding Dublin.
  • Battle of Clontarf (1014 AD): High King Brian Boru defeated the Vikings, though he died in the battle, leading to the eventual decline of Viking power in Ireland.

Norman Invasion (1169 – 1536)

  • Norman Invasion (1169): Began with the landing of Richard de Clare (Strongbow) in Leinster, leading to the Norman conquest of Ireland.
  • Lordship of Ireland (1171 1536): Established under Henry II of England, who sought to control the Norman lords in Ireland.

Tudor and Stuart Eras (1536 -1691)

  • Tudor Conquest (1536 – 1603): Henry VIII’s assertion of English control, leading to the suppression of Irish chieftains and the imposition of English law.
  • Plantation of Ulster (1609): Colonization of Ulsterby English and Scottish settlers, causing significant demographic and cultural changes.
  • Williamite War (1689 – 1691): Conflict between Catholic King James II and Protestant King William III, ending with the defeat of James at the Battle of the Boyne.

Old documents and greyscale photos.

18th and 19th Centuries

  • Penal Laws (1695 – 1829): Laws restricting the rights of Catholics and Presbyterians, fostering resentment and resistance.
  • Great Irish Famine (1845 – 1852): A devastating potato blight led to mass starvation, death, and emigration, significantly impacting Ireland’s population and economy.
  • Home Rule Movement (1870 1914): Political efforts to gain self-government for Ireland within the United Kingdom, led by figures like Charles Stewart Parnell.

20th Century to Present

  • Easter Rising (1916): An armed insurrection in Dublin against British rule, leading to the execution of its leaders and galvanizing support for Irish independence.
  • Anglo-Irish Treaty (1921): Ended the War of Independence, creating the Irish Free State and partitioning Northern Ireland.
  • Irish Civil War (1922-23): Conflict between pro and anti-Treaty forces, resulting in the establishment of the Irish Free State.
  • Republic of Ireland (1949): Ireland formally declared itself a republic, severing the last ties with the British Commonwealth.

Discover your Irish family heritage with My Ireland Family Heritage. Our meticulous genealogy research in Ireland can help you uncover your roots.

Experience our historical tours of Ireland and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tours of Ireland. You can also join a one-day family heritage tour or visit the best genealogy sites Ireland with us.

Contact us today and begin your journey into the heart of your ancestry!

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Customised Genealogy & Historical Tour

Review of My Ireland Heritage Tours Presented on Trip adviser Oct 2024 By • Family TomBarron2013 New York City, NY2

Once in a lifetime experience

Oct 2024 • Family

We highly recommend My Ireland Heritage for anyone who wants to learn and be guided to their Irish “roots” and much, much more. Sean Quinn and Ian Darragh of My Ireland Family Heritage have deep knowledge or the areas we wanted to visit in Meath, Sligo and Kilkenny. While we knew about one side of the family history back to 1690, there was nothing known about the other that arrived in the US in the 1870s.

Ian, Sean, and Nicola did thorough research on our localities and locations from which our ancestors left for America in 1849 and later. In addition, Ian and Sean did separate day-long “recons” in advance of our time with them, seeking out local people and the specific properties with maps and whatever records still available. Their results were absolutely outstanding! In both our cases, they found and took us to our still-existing cottages and shops from the early 1820s.

It was so enjoyable to be with Ian for three days and for a special day with Sean. Whether it was the Newgrange World Heritage sites 5,500 years old , the Battle of the Boyne 1690 , or the local cemeteries and churches of our ancestors. Ian was especially attentive to my wife throughout the travels after she twisted her ankle in a rain-soaked old cemetery.

Throughout the process of trip preparation over months to giving us the final, wonderful books of Meath and Sligo, Aisling was highly professional and responsive with all the many details. The bound books she prepared are treasures! Thanks to all for truly exceptional experiences.

Newgrange World Unesco Site 5500 years old
Battle of the Boyne 1690 AD
Customised Historical Tours Trim Castle
Entrance stone at Newgrange

Self Drive Product

Review of My Ireland Heritage Tours Presented on Trip adviser by Shelley L @ sjlively

Exceptional in every way!

Over the last few months of preparing for our trip, every single detail was meticulously attended, not only professionally, but helpfully, and in such a friendly manner, that I felt as if I knew Sean, Aisling and Ian before I even stepped off the plane.

The amount of work these wonderful people put into our personal history is mindboggling. My mother was an avid amateur genealogist, and had worked for decades to bring to light the trail our family took, but our resources are limited.

Sean knows exactly where to look, and was able to fill in so many gaps that had eluded us for generations. Some of the information he found, unbeknownst even to him, actually solidified the findings we had amassed over the years. Ours was a family in coal mining – I only found on our tour that they had originated from a mining area, and their arrival on the  border coincided exactly with the decline in the mining industry in County Wicklow.

I would have been overjoyed simply with the knowledge of why they left when they did, about 12 years before the famine. Breaking through our brick wall of great grandparents even farther back on the family tree was a dream come true, but to be able to set foot on not only the area they lived, and find that the house is still there was overwhelming. Seeing the family church and cemetery where our ancestors and extended family still rest is a truly moving experience.

The care taken by this company in each and every aspect of the journey cannot be overstated. Only about 2 weeks prior to my trip, Sean contacted me to let me know that he had also stumbled across some of my husband’s family name in the process and included them as well in his research. How often can anyone say that they not only got what they paid for, but more than they ever imagined? I can say that. They were even kind enough to answer a few follow-up questions after my return home, as I was so stunned on my tour with Ian that I didn’t think ask at the time.If you have the opportunity to make the trip to Ireland, contact My Ireland Family Heritage before you go.

If your family was there, Sean will go above and beyond to find them. Even without family, contact them anyway. Ian is a walking encyclopedia of history, and so fun to talk to. Aisling will make sure every “I” is dotted, and every “T” is crossed.  Thank you so much for the trip of a lifetime, and the opportunity to pass on everything we have discovered to future generations

The Consultation at Hotel / Office or by Phone opens all doors
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