How far back does Irish history go?

The first evidence of human presence in Ireland dates to around 33,000 years ago, further findings have been found dating to around 10,500 to 8,000 BC.

Did the Irish fight the Vikings?

It was not true to say that it was “the Irish against the Vikings”. In fact, some Irish kings and lords formed alliances with Vikings to attack other Irish lords. The Vikings continued to raid inland from their towns of Dubhlinn, Cork and Vadrefjord.

Who lived in Ireland before the Vikings?

The first people in Ireland were hunter gatherers who arrived about 7,000 to 8,000 BC. This was quite late compared with most of southern Europe. The reason was the climate. The Ice Age began to retreat about 10,000 years ago.

What kind of country was Ireland before Christianity?

Paganism. Before Christianization, the Gaelic Irish were polytheistic or pagan. They had many gods and goddesses, which generally have parallels in the pantheons of other European nations.

What was Ireland called before it was Ireland?

According to the Constitution of Ireland, the names of the Irish state are ‘Ireland’ (in English) and ‘Éire’ (in Irish). From 1922 to 1937, its legal name was ‘the Irish Free State’.

What did the first Irish look like?

Prehistoric Irish people were dark skinned and had blue eyes, a new documentary claims. The hunter gather population that lived in Ireland 10,000 years ago do not have any of the pigmentation profiles associated with light skin. They inhabited the island for 4,000 years before being replaced by settled farmers.

When did the first people come to Ireland?

Early Gealic Ireland and Medieval Ireland The first major and long lasting people to leave their mark on Ireland were the Celts. The Celts or Celtic peoples from Western Europe, who came to be also known as Gaels, invaded Ireland subduing the previous inhabitants sometime between about 600 and 150 BC. more…

Who was the first historian to write about Ireland?

Early poet-historians like Flann Mainistrech constructed a history of a monarchy of all Ireland going back to and beyond St Patrick. Only a hundred years after Mainistrech, Gerald of Wales described the Irish society in his Topographia Hibernica as utterly primitive and savage.

Who was the King of Ireland in 1014?

The Irish king Brian Boru (r. 1002–14) temporarily establishes a more centralized government near Dublin. In 1014, he defeats the Norse raiders at the Battle of Clontarf, ending their controlling influence in Ireland (which began in 795), but dying in the process.

When did the 1000s start and end in Europe?

The 1000s (pronounced “one-thousands”) was a decade of the Julian Calendar which began on January 1, 1000, and ended on December 31, 1009. In continental Europe, the Holy Roman Empire established itself as the most powerful state.