Irish History Guide - Early History to Present Day Ireland
Above : Seven State. (5th to 10th Centuries, based upon “Book of Rights”)
The existence of the seven states of Ireland about the time of St. Patrick is testified as has been already mentioned by an authority which is accepted as originating in his time. This is the book called ” teAOdfi n<i
Above : Picture Of Robert Fitz-Stephen
In the month of May, 1169, the first body of the adventurers arrived under the leadership of Robert Fitz-Stephen and others. About 2,000 strong, they landed at Bannow Bay in the extreme south of the present county of Wexford. The district was part of Ui Cinnsealaigh, and the people of the open country were loyal to their chief. But on the one side lay Waterford, and on the other Wexford, and the Norse inhabitants of both towns were bitterly hostile to Diarmuid. From Ferns, Diarmuid sent a body of men under his natural son, Domhnall Caomhanach (” Kavanagh “) to meet his friends, and the combined forces attacked Wexford. Retreating before the mail-clad knights, the inhabitants defended the walls and beat off their assailants. At length, however, they yielded on terms, and recognised Diarmuid as their lord. The town and surrounding country were granted to Fitz Stephen and his principal associates.
Above : Picture Of St. Laurence O’Toole
Two of the great seaports on the eastern coast were now in the possession of the invaders. Greater than either, however, was Dublin. Like them, it was occupied by inhabitants of Norse descent, and, like Wexford, it was situated in Laighin, and Diarmuid, therefore, had claims over it. All the Norse, however, had fiercely resisted the supremacy of Diarmuid, and they were even less friendly disposed towards the Norman barons and their armies of Flemish soldiers, whose record of pillage in England was well known to them. The Norse of Dublin had a special reason for fearing Mac Murrough, for they had murdered his father and given him an ignominious burial. Accordingly when Diarmuid sent messengers demanding their submission, their King, Asculph Mac Torkill defied him, and, on the other hand, besought the help of the Ard Ri.
