War and Peace in Ireland
A timeline showing key moments of war and peace in Ireland.
0050 BC-01-01 00:00:00
Pre Christian Ireland
Ireland was divided into many kingdoms called tuatha. Each tuath had a chief. They often fought wars against each other for control of territory.
0067-03-07 08:37:41
Early Christian Ireland
Early Christian Ireland was much like Pre-Christian Ireland. Chieftains fought each other for control of land.
0829-07-16 06:31:14
The Vikings in Ireland
Vikings from Scandinavia both raided and traded with the Irish.
1014-04-23 05:52:41
The Battle of Clontarf
A battle between Viking settlers and Gaelic Irish.
1169-05-01 13:43:18
Normans come to Ireland
The Normans came to Ireland in 1169. There was much fighting with The Gaelic Irish.
1594-10-13 11:29:08
Nine Years' War
Fighting between Queen Elizabeth's English forces and the Irish Chiefs.
1601-10-02 13:43:18
Battle of Kinsale
Major battle of the Nine Years' War. Irish Chiefs and a small Spanish force fought against the English. Irish forces were defeated.
1607-09-14 11:29:08
The Flight of the Earls
The last of the Gaelic Irish Chiefs fled Ireland for mainland Europe.
1690-07-01 13:43:18
Battle of the Boyne
A major battle between King James II and William of Orange. William's forces defeated King James. These men were fighting for the crown of England even though the battle was fought in Ireland.
1798-05-24 13:43:18
1798 Rebellion
The United Irishmen fought in a rebellion against English rule. The rebellion was led by Theobald Wolfe Tone. The rebellion was defeated and English rule in Ireland became even stronger.
1870-01-01 00:00:00
Land Wars
During the Land Wars Irish farmers fought for better rights. Most land was owned by landlords who lived in England. There was some violence. The word 'boycott' comes from this time when the Irishe boycotted an land agent called Captain James Boycott.
1913-01-01 00:00:00
Irish and Ulster Volunteers
Around 1913 these groups were set up. The IVF wanted to fight for Irish freedom and the UVF wanted to fight to stay part of the UK.
1914-07-28 00:00:00
World War One
During WWI Ireland was part of the UK so many Irish men fought and died in the war.
1916-04-24 00:00:00
1916 Easter Rising
While Britain was distracted by WWI Irish freedom fighters had a rebellion. This rebellion failed and Ireland remained part of the UK.
1919-01-21 00:00:00
War of Independence
Irish rebel forces fought against British forces. This was more successful than previous wars.
1920-11-21 00:00:00
Bloody Sunday
British forces attacked and killed civilians at a Gaelic football match in Croke Park in Dublin. They attacked in retaliation for the killing of a number of British agents.
1921-12-06 00:00:00
Anglo-Irish Treaty
A truce was called and fighting stopped. A Treay was signed that created the Irish Free State.
1922-06-28 00:00:00
Civil War
Some Irish people wanted to keep fighting the British. After the treaty was signed there was a civil war. Anti-treaty forces were defeated.
1922-12-06 14:42:01
Irish Free State
the Irish Free State comes into existence.
1939-09-01 13:52:58
World War Two
Ireland remained neutral during World War Two. This time was known as The Emergency. However, Ireland did have a pro-Allied stance.
1949-04-18 00:00:00
Establishment of the Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland is created.
1967-01-29 14:42:01
Civil Rights Movement in Northern Ireland
Catholics in Northern Ireland fight for equal rights.
1969-08-01 14:42:01
The Troubles
Fighting in Ireland between nationalists (who wanted Ireland to be united) and loyalists/unionists (who wanted Northern Ireland to stay in the UK).
1985-11-15 14:42:01
Anglo-Irish Agreement
The first major agreement in the peace process. All governments agreed to work for peace in Northern Ireland.
1998-04-10 14:42:01
Good Friday Agreement
This agreement led to lasting peace in Northern Ireland. It ended The Troubles.