Irish History

A very brief look at Ireland's long and complex history

Ireland was first inhabited around 8,000 BC by hunter-gatherers.

In the 5th century AD, Christianity was introduced to Ireland by St. Patrick, and monasticism became a prominent feature of Irish society.

In the 9th century, the Vikings began raiding and settling in Ireland, leading to the establishment of several Viking cities.

In 1169, the Normans invaded Ireland and established a feudal system, which lasted for several centuries.

In the 16th century, England began asserting control over Ireland, leading to centuries of conflict and resistance.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Irish nationalism grew, leading to the Easter Rising of 1916 and the eventual establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.

The Troubles, a period of sectarian violence and political conflict, began in the late 1960s and lasted until the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.

Today, Ireland is a modern, democratic country and a member of the European Union.