Kingdoms and Principalities of Ireland
The kingdoms on the island of Ireland likely formed from the 4th century AD. Before this time there is little information about the rulership structures and areas of the Celtic population.
After 1169 AD there was a fundamental change in structures. In that year the Anglo-Normans began to extend their rule to Ireland from England (actually from Wales ) .
The current counties of Ireland were founded between the 12th and 17th centuries. Their assignment to the early kingdoms and principalities relates to the geographic location of today's counties.
Structures in pre-medieval times
The Romans already knew the Irish island under the name "Hibernia". Ireland was never ruled by the Roman Empire .
The four classic kingdoms
The four provinces of Connacht , Leinster , Munster and Ulster go back in history to the early Middle Ages . Today they are still present as names for the four provinces of Ireland. The rough location of the 4 kingdoms on the Irish island, the exact extent of which has changed again and again through history, is:
- Connacht to the northwest
- Leinster in the southeast
- Munster in the southwest
- Ulster to the northeast
Kingdom of Connacht
In the (early) Middle Ages, Roscommon belonged to Connacht. Clare was disputed territory between Connacht and Munster. The term Connaught is English, Irish is Connachta, actually a plural tantum .
Kingdom of Leinster
In the (early) Middle Ages, the areas of the Counties Waterford and Laois belonged to Leinster.
Kingdom of Munster
In the (early) Middle Ages the areas of the counties Cork , Kerry and Limerick belonged to Munster. Clare was disputed territory between Connacht and Munster.
Kingdom of Ulster
The kingdom of Ulster comprised the areas of today's counties of Londonderry , Armagh and Monaghan . According to various dates, the Kingdom of Oriel emerged from the Kingdom of Ulster in AD 332 and in the 5th century.
More medieval kingdoms
Kingdom of Oriel
When it was founded in 332, the Kingdom of Oriel largely succeeded the Empire of Ulster. Many other kingdoms were also established.
Kingdom of Brefni
The core area of the Kingdom of Brefni was County Leitrim.
Kingdom of Meath
The kingdom comprised the areas of today's Counties Longford, Westmeath and Meath and parts of Cavan. Between AD 100 and AD 565, Meath was associated with Connacht .
Kingdom of Dalriada
The Kingdom of Dalriada (actually Dál Riata ) consisted of an Irish and a Scottish part. In the 5th century, the north of Antrim on the Irish side and County Argyll on the Scottish side belonged to the area of Dalriada. The Irish part of the kingdom was separated from the Scottish part by the Normans at the beginning of the 9th century and formed the kingdom of Ulidia (or Ulaidh) with what is now County Down .
Kingdom of Ulidia (or Ulaidh)
At the beginning of the 9th century, Ulidia was founded as a split from the Irish part of the Kingdom of Dalriada.
Viking kingdoms
Viking raids on settlements and monasteries took place between the 8th and 12th centuries. The Vikings set up bases in some cities, which over time developed into their own rulers. (Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Waterford and Wexford possibly also Carlingford).
Viking Kingdom Dublin
In 832 AD, the areas around Dublin, Wexford and later Waterford were conquered by Vikings. Dublin was the first city in Ireland and the capital of a Viking kingdom that temporarily ruled the Isle of Man .
Principalities
Principality of Desmond
The principality was founded in 1127 and included the area of present-day County Cork and parts of County Kerry.
Principality of Thomond
The principality was founded in 1127. The seat of the Princes of Thomond was County Clare. Other areas were Limerick and parts of County Kerry .
Principality of Offaly
Offaly included what is now County Offaly and parts of Laois, Tipperary and Kildare.
Anglo-Norman or Cambro-Norman invasion - English domination
From 1169 the conquest of Ireland by the Anglo- Normans began , as a result of which large parts came under the influence of the English crown. (1169 Wexford, 1170 Dublin , 1171 Laois, Kildare, 1172 Waterford, Cork, Kilkenny 1173 Westmeath). In the following centuries, expansions were made again and again, so in 1235 Roscommon, in the 12th century Armagh and Antrim, in 1570 Kerry, in the 16th century Offaly and in the 17th century Wexford fell to the English crown. In some cases, the influence of the crown slowly declined after the conquest. The conquered areas were often given as fiefs . Some enfeoffed nobles tried to consolidate their own rule and to achieve extensive independence from England. In the 17th century, English rule was consolidated under Oliver Cromwell and lasted for the entire island until Ireland became independent.