Although, as has been seen, the chiefs of Munster had not supported Bruce, yet they had availed themselves of the opportunity his invasion gave them. A few months before the battle of Faughart the O'Briens, aided by Mac Carthy, had defeated another attempt of De Clare to secure a footing in Thomond. Led by Muirkertach—who in the previous year had opposed Bruce— they won a decisive victory at Dysert O'Dea (1318), and the English were completely cleared out of all Thomond west ... Read More

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 ... Read More