Irish History Tales - A Chronological History of Ireland from the years 1169 to 1923

Darren Beaming

From the Norman conquest of Ireland, the defiant stand of Hugh O’Neill in the Nine Years War, through the fiery chaos of the 1641 Rebellion, and onto the monumental clashes of the Williamite War, we'll set the stage for an exploration into the heart of Ireland's quest for autonomy. Please join me as I embark on a journey through time, unraveling the intricate web of events leading up to the 1798 Rising, and shed light on the recurring '90s revolutions, before culminating with the Irish Civil War.

  1. 4d ago

    20. The Battle of Cashel Pass 1176: The Death & Legacy of Strongbow

    In the Season One finale of Irish History Tales, the first great phase of the Norman Conquest of Ireland reaches its dramatic conclusion. Limerick is under siege. Donal Mór O’Brien has surrounded the isolated Norman garrison and intends to starve its defenders into submission. With supplies running out and the city facing collapse, the Norman soldiers once again demand the return of the one commander they trust above all others — Raymond le Gros. Despite orders from King Henry II that Raymond should return to England, the Norman army effectively refuses to march without him. Royal commissioners are forced to give way, and Raymond assembles a relief force of Normans and Gaelic allies before beginning another dangerous march west. Near Cashel, Donal Mór’s forces prepare to stop him. Trees are felled, trenches dug and a defensive barrier constructed across the route. Raymond must break through the fortified position if he is to reach the starving garrison at Limerick. The resulting Battle of Cashel Pass becomes one final confrontation between Raymond le Gros and the King of Thomond. But while Raymond fights in Munster, another story is reaching its end. Back in Leinster, Richard de Clare — Strongbow — is seriously ill. In this episode, we cover: The Relief of Limerick: Why the isolated Norman garrison could no longer survive without outside help. Raymond's Final Campaign: How the extraordinary loyalty of the Norman army allowed Raymond le Gros to remain in command despite Henry II's orders. The Battle of Cashel Pass: Donal Mór O'Brien's attempt to block Raymond's advance and the brutal fighting that opened the road to Limerick. The Abandonment of Limerick: Why military victory still could not translate into the permanent Norman conquest of Thomond. The Death of Strongbow: The final illness and death of Richard de Clare in Dublin in April 1176. Strongbow's Legacy: Was he really the great military conqueror remembered by history, or was his greatest achievement political — transforming a collection of Norman adventurers into a permanent power in Ireland? Strongbow was not the first Norman to arrive in Ireland. He was not even necessarily its greatest battlefield commander. But without him, the invasion might never have become a conquest. By the time Richard de Clare died, the Norman presence no longer depended upon one man. Strongbow was dead. The conquest would continue.

    20. The Battle of Cashel Pass 1176: The Death & Legacy of Strongbow

  2. Aug 5

    19. The Gaelic Siege of Limerick 1176: The Death of Donal Kavanagh & Norman Politics

    In this episode, the Norman Conquest of Ireland enters a new and dangerous phase. Although the Treaty of Windsor promised peace between Henry II and Rory O'Connor, the fighting on the ground continued almost immediately. Following Raymond le Gros's capture of Limerick, the city becomes isolated deep inside hostile territory as Donal Mór O'Brien regains his throne, surrounds the Norman garrison and begins a relentless winter siege designed to starve the defenders into submission. As the crisis deepens, we also follow the dramatic political struggle unfolding within the Norman leadership. Hervey de Montmorency attempts to undermine Raymond le Gros at King Henry's court, while four royal commissioners arrive in Ireland to tighten royal authority over Strongbow, Hugh de Lacy and the increasingly popular Raymond. Meanwhile, another important chapter in the story of Leinster comes to an end with the death of Donal Kavanagh, the last surviving son of Dermot MacMurrough. Once a Norman ally, later a fierce opponent and ultimately a man whose shifting allegiances reflected the complex politics of medieval Ireland, his death marks the end of one of the conquest's most fascinating figures. In this episode, we cover: • The Gaelic Siege of Limerick: How Donal Mór O'Brien attempted to starve the Norman garrison into submission.• The Return of the King of Thomond: How Donal regained his throne and rebuilt his alliance with Rory O'Connor.• The Death of Donal Kavanagh: The final chapter in the life of Dermot MacMurrough's last surviving son.• Norman Politics: Hervey de Montmorency's accusations against Raymond le Gros and the arrival of Henry II's royal commissioners.• A Fourth Norman Mutiny: Why the Norman army once again refused to march without Raymond as their commander.• The Road to Cashel: How Raymond prepared one final relief expedition that would decide the fate of Limerick. With Limerick starving behind its walls, Strongbow weakened by illness, and the Norman leadership divided by jealousy and royal intervention, the stage is set for one final campaign that will bring Season One of the Norman Conquest to its dramatic conclusion.

    19. The Gaelic Siege of Limerick 1176: The Death of Donal Kavanagh & Norman Politics

  3. Jul 29

    18: The Treaty of Windsor (1175) – Peace... or Just a Pause?

    After six years of brutal warfare, the Norman conquest reaches a remarkable turning point. Rather than another battle, Henry II of England and Rory O'Connor, High King of Ireland, attempt something unprecedented... peace. In this episode, we leave the battlefield behind and travel to Windsor Castle, where diplomats, bishops and royal officials negotiate one of the most significant agreements in medieval Irish history. Discover who represented Henry and Rory, what the Treaty of Windsor actually said, and why historians continue to debate whether it was a genuine peace settlement or simply a temporary pause in the fighting. We'll explore the political realities facing both rulers, the complex relationship between overlordship and the High Kingship, and why the treaty may have been doomed from the very beginning. Was Ireland effectively divided between two rulers? Did Rory O'Connor surrender Ireland? Or did both kings simply recognise that neither could achieve outright victory? Join me as we examine the diplomacy, politics and personalities behind the Treaty of Windsor and ask whether this famous agreement ever had a realistic chance of lasting. Next time, the peace begins to unravel as Donal Mór O'Brien fights to reclaim his kingdom and the struggle for Limerick resumes.

    18: The Treaty of Windsor (1175) – Peace... or Just a Pause?

  4. Jul 22

    17. The Battle of Limerick 1175: Rory O'Connor, Raymond Le Gros & the Invasion of Thomond

    Following years of devastating warfare, Rory O'Connor made the controversial decision to cooperate with Henry II, allowing Norman forces to march against one of Ireland's most powerful kings, Donal Mór O'Brien of Thomond. Leading the expedition was the brilliant commander Raymond le Gros. Marching deep into enemy territory, the Normans faced a determined defence at the River Shannon before launching a daring assault on Limerick itself. The battle that followed would become one of the most remarkable military operations of the early conquest. In this episode, we examine the political alliance between Rory O'Connor and the Normans, the invasion of Thomond, the famous crossing of the Shannon, the capture of Limerick, and the campaign's lasting consequences for both the Norman colony and Gaelic Ireland. We also separate the contemporary evidence from later tradition to explore what really happened during one of the most debated campaigns of the twelfth century. Was this a decisive Norman victory, or merely a temporary success in a war that was far from over? Join me as we continue our chronological journey through the Norman Conquest of Ireland.

    17. The Battle of Limerick 1175: Rory O'Connor, Raymond Le Gros & the Invasion of Thomond

  5. Jul 15

    16. The Great Gaelic Army (Host) of 1174: The Burning of Trim & the March on Dublin

    In this episode, the Norman Conquest of Ireland reaches one of its greatest turning points. With the Norman colony weakened after the disasters of Thurles and Waterford, Rory O'Connor assembles one of the largest Gaelic coalitions of the entire invasion. Rather than marching directly on Dublin, the High King launches a devastating campaign through Meath, destroying Norman strongholds and burning the great timber fortress at Trim in an attempt to break the frontier before striking the capital. Meanwhile, across the Irish Sea, Raymond le Gros answers Strongbow's desperate plea for help. Returning with a small but highly disciplined force, his arrival restores Norman morale just as the conquest appears on the verge of collapse. As news of Raymond's return spreads through Ireland, Rory O'Connor faces a crucial decision that may alter the course of Irish history. Was this the moment the Normans could have been driven from Ireland forever? In this episode, we cover: • The Great Gaelic Army of 1174: How Rory O'Connor assembled one of the largest coalitions of the conquest.• Why Meath, Not Dublin?: The strategy behind attacking the Norman frontier before the capital itself.• The Burning of Trim: How the destruction of Hugh de Lacy's great timber fortress shook Norman confidence.• Raymond le Gros Returns: The arrival of the commander who once again transformed Norman morale.• The March on Dublin: Why Rory's army advanced to the outskirts of the Norman capital before withdrawing.• The Missed Opportunity: Did Rory O'Connor miss his final chance to destroy the Norman colony, or was withdrawal the wisest military decision? With Henry II's great rebellion finally over and both sides exhausted by years of war, the stage is now set for one of the most important political settlements in medieval Irish history—the Treaty of Windsor.

    16. The Great Gaelic Army (Host) of 1174: The Burning of Trim & the March on Dublin

  6. Jul 8

    15. The Waterford Rebellion of 1174: The Normans on the Brink of Defeat

    In this episode, the Norman Conquest of Ireland reaches perhaps its most dangerous moment. Following the disastrous campaign at Thurles, Strongbow retreats to Waterford believing he has reached safety. Instead, he finds his authority collapsing around him. Inspired by the Norman defeat, the Ostmen of Waterford rise in rebellion, killing much of the English garrison and forcing Strongbow into one of the darkest periods of his entire career. As the city descends into chaos, we examine the conflicting medieval accounts surrounding Strongbow's movements. Did he remain trapped inside Waterford, or did he secretly flee by night to the island of Inis Teimle on the River Suir? We also explore the fascinating evidence surrounding Raymond le Gros, whose relationship with Strongbow may have been far more complicated than the traditional story suggests. Meanwhile, across Ireland, Rory O'Connor recognises that the Normans have never been weaker. As Strongbow desperately sends for Raymond, the High King begins assembling a great coalition of Gaelic kings for one final attempt to drive the invaders from Ireland. In this episode, we cover: • The Aftermath of Thurles: How Strongbow's defeat shattered Norman prestige across Ireland.• The Waterford Rebellion: Why the Ostmen rose against the Norman occupiers and nearly reclaimed the city.• Strongbow's Retreat: The mystery surrounding his withdrawal to Waterford and the island of Inis Teimle.• The Raymond le Gros Debate: Did later chroniclers confuse two separate recalls and appointments as Constable of Leinster?• A Desperate Appeal: Why Strongbow had no choice but to turn once again to Raymond le Gros.• Rory O'Connor's Great Hosting: The coalition of Gaelic kings that prepared to march on Meath and ultimately threaten Dublin itself. With the Norman colony on the brink of collapse, the fate of the conquest now hangs in the balance.

    15. The Waterford Rebellion of 1174: The Normans on the Brink of Defeat

  7. Jul 1

    14: The Battle of Thurles: Strongbow's Greatest Defeat in Ireland

    Episode 14 of Irish History Tales explores the Battle of Thurles in 1174, one of the greatest Norman defeats of the early conquest of Ireland. Following the Gaelic rebellions of 1173, Strongbow returns to Ireland determined to restore Norman authority and punish Donal Mór O’Brien of Thomond. But with Raymond Le Gros absent after the death of his father, Strongbow marches west without his most capable commander. The episode examines why Strongbow targeted Thomond, the role of Donal Mór O’Brien and Rory O’Connor, and the alliance between Thomond and Connacht. It also explores the involvement of Dublin’s Ostmen militia, who marched south to reinforce Strongbow but were ambushed near Thurles before they could reach him. Drawing on Gerald of Wales and the Irish annals, we examine the conflicting accounts of the battle, the heavy casualties suffered by the Normans and Ostmen, and why Strongbow abandoned the campaign and withdrew to Waterford. The Battle of Thurles proved that the Normans could be beaten. It damaged Strongbow’s prestige, boosted Gaelic morale, and helped trigger a wider uprising against Norman rule in Ireland.

    14: The Battle of Thurles: Strongbow's Greatest Defeat in Ireland

  8. Jun 24

    13: The Norman Mutiny: Raymond Le Gros & the Naval Battle of Dungarvan

    In this episode, the Norman Conquest of Ireland hangs in the balance once again. With Henry II's trust restored, Strongbow returns to Ireland to suppress the Gaelic uprisings that have swept across the island. But his first decision proves disastrous. Refusing both the office of Constable and the hand of his sister Basillia to his most talented commander, Raymond Le Gros, Strongbow triggers a crisis that nearly destroys the Norman army from within. As unpaid troops threaten mutiny, Strongbow is forced to recall Raymond, whose return restores morale and revives the Norman war effort. Yet Raymond's brutal campaign of plunder brings new dangers, alienating even those Gaelic rulers who had remained loyal to Henry II. Meanwhile, one of the most unusual episodes of the conquest unfolds. A Norman flotilla sailing down the Blackwater River is intercepted by a Norse-Gaelic fleet, leading to one of the few recorded naval battles of medieval Ireland. The clash off Dungarvan ends in a dramatic Norman victory and highlights the continuing power of the Ostmen communities along Ireland's southern coast. But just as Strongbow prepares to invade Thomond and punish Donal Mór O'Brien, Raymond Le Gros departs Ireland once again. Strongbow decides to continue without his most capable commander, a decision that will soon have grave consequences. In this episode, we cover: • Strongbow's Return: How service to Henry II restored Strongbow's position in Ireland. • The Raymond Le Gros Crisis: Why Strongbow refused his most successful commander. • The Norman Mutiny: How unpaid troops threatened to abandon the conquest. • Raymond's Campaign of Plunder: The raids that restored morale but alienated loyal Gaelic kings. • The Naval Battle off Dungarvan: One of the few documented sea battles of the Norman conquest. • The Road to Thomond & the Battle of Thurles

    13: The Norman Mutiny: Raymond Le Gros & the Naval Battle of Dungarvan
See All (23)

Trailer

About

From the Norman conquest of Ireland, the defiant stand of Hugh O’Neill in the Nine Years War, through the fiery chaos of the 1641 Rebellion, and onto the monumental clashes of the Williamite War, we'll set the stage for an exploration into the heart of Ireland's quest for autonomy. Please join me as I embark on a journey through time, unraveling the intricate web of events leading up to the 1798 Rising, and shed light on the recurring '90s revolutions, before culminating with the Irish Civil War.

Information

You Might Also Like