The Norman Invasion marked the beginning of English Rule in Ireland but also brought great changes with the building of hundreds of earth and stone castles as well as new towns and great new cathedrals. (more…)

The fourteenth century saw a new rise in Gaelic power beyond the pale and the re-emergence of native rulers such as the O’Connors and the seafaring O’Flaherties and O’Malley’s of Galway and Mayo. (more…)

The Reformation brought a new bitterness to the struggle between Gaelic and Catholic Ireland and their English rulers. It was an age of war, rebellions and plantation, of the Spanish Armada and Granuaile – Ireland’s Pirate Queen. (more…)

A rising population and crushing poverty among the displaced Catholic tenants led to the greatest catastrophe in Irish history – an Gorta Mór when the collapse of the potato crop led to mass starvation and flight across the Atlantic in Coffin Ships. (more…)

Struggles over land led by Parnell and Davitt led finally to independence and the creation of the Irish Free State while a new interest in Irish culture led to a literary revival and government intervention transformed the landscape. However, prosperity remained fragile and the Irish Language continued to decline. (more…)