List of conflicts in Ireland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of conflicts in Ireland, including wars, armed rebellions, battles and skirmishes. Irish Warriors participated in many wars in Europe and “England” as well and are not completely recognized on this page.

List of wars and rebellions in Ireland[]

Year(s) Conflict Notes
917–1014 Viking wars in Ireland
1169–75 Norman invasion of Ireland
1315–18 Bruce campaign in Ireland Part of the First War of Scottish Independence
1333–38 Burke Civil War A conflict among the House of Burke
1534 Kildare Rebellion
1569–73 First Desmond Rebellion Part of the Tudor conquest of Ireland
1579–83 Second Desmond Rebellion Part of the Tudor conquest of Ireland
1594–1603 Nine Years' War Part of the Tudor conquest of Ireland
1641–42 Irish Rebellion of 1641 Part of the Eleven Years' War
1642–49 Confederate War Part of the Eleven Years' War
1649–53 Cromwellian conquest of Ireland Part of the Eleven Years' War
1689–91 Williamite–Jacobite War Part of the War of the Grand Alliance
1798 Irish Rebellion of 1798
1803 Irish Rebellion of 1803
1831–36 Tithe War
1848 Young Irelander Rebellion
1867 Fenian Rising
1870–93 Land War
1916 Easter Rising Part of the Irish revolutionary period
1919–22 Irish War of Independence Part of the Irish revolutionary period
1922–23 Irish Civil War Part of the Irish revolutionary period
1942–44 Northern Campaign Irish republican campaign against the state of Northern Ireland
1956–62 Border Campaign Irish republican campaign against the state of Northern Ireland
1968–98 The Troubles
1998-present Dissident Irish republican campaign

List of battles in Ireland[]

Prehistoric era[]

5th century[]

  • 459 – Ath Dara[1][2]
  • 464 – First Battle of Dumha Aichir[citation needed]
  • 468 – Bri Ele[citation needed]
  • 470 – Second Battle of Dumha Aichir[citation needed]
  • 476 – First Battle of Granard[citation needed]
  • 478 – Ocha[citation needed]
  • 480 – Second Battle of Granard[citation needed]
  • 483 – Battle of Ochae[citation needed]
  • 489 – Tailtin[citation needed]
  • 491 – Cell Losnaid[citation needed]
  • 492 – Sleamhain, in Meath[citation needed]
  • 493 – Battle for the Body of St. Patrick[citation needed]
  • 494 – Ceann Ailbhe[citation needed]
  • 496 – Druim Lochmaighe[citation needed]
  • 497 – Inde Mor, in Crioch Ua nGabhla[citation needed]
  • 499 – Seaghais[citation needed]

6th century[]

  • 500 – Lochmagh[citation needed]
  • 501 – Freamhain, in Meath[citation needed]
  • 506 – Luachair[citation needed]
  • 507 – Druim Deargaighe[citation needed]
  • 528 – Luachair[citation needed]
  • 531 – Claenloch[citation needed]
  • 537 – Sligeach[citation needed]
  • 544 – Cuil Conaire [3]
  • 546 – Cuilne[citation needed]
  • 556 – Cuil Uinnsenn[citation needed]
  • 561 – Cul Dremne[citation needed]
  • 563 – Moin Dairi Lothar[citation needed]
  • 571 – Battle of Tola[citation needed]
  • 572 – Battle of Doete[citation needed]
  • 579 – Druim Mic Earca[citation needed]
  • 585 – Kalketh[citation needed]
  • 590 – Eadan Mor[citation needed]
  • 594 – Dun Bolg[citation needed]
  • 597 – Battle of Sleamhain[citation needed]
  • 598 – Eachros[citation needed]

7th century[]

  • 600 – Loch Semhedidhe[citation needed]
  • 601 – Battle of Slaibhre[citation needed]
  • 622 – Carn Fearadhaigh[citation needed]
  • 622 – Lethed Midinn[citation needed]
  • 624 – Ard Corainn[citation needed]
  • 626 – Leathairbhe[citation needed]
  • 628 – Ath Goan[citation needed]
  • 634 – Magh Rath[citation needed]
  • 645 – Carn Conaill[citation needed]
  • 648 – Cuil Corra[citation needed]
  • 656 – Fleasach[citation needed]
  • 660 – Ogamhain[citation needed]
  • 666 – Battle of Aine[citation needed]
  • 681 – Bla Sléibe[citation needed]
  • 685 – Cenn Conn[citation needed]
  • 686 – Leach Phich[citation needed]
  • 688 – Imlech[citation needed]
  • 696 – Tulach Garraisg[citation needed]

8th century[]

  • 701 – Corann[citation needed]
  • 702 – Claen Ath[citation needed]
  • 713 – Cam Feradaig[citation needed]
  • 718 – Battle of Almhain[citation needed]
  • 719 – Delgean[citation needed]
  • 721 – Druim Fornocht[citation needed]
  • 724 – Cenn Deilgden[citation needed]
  • 727 – Magh Itha[citation needed]
  • 730 – Bealach Ele[citation needed]
  • 732 – Fochart[citation needed]
  • 733 – Battle of Ath Seanaith[citation needed]
  • 738 – Ceanannus[citation needed]
  • 744 – Ard Cianachta[citation needed]
  • 749 – Ard Naescan[citation needed]
  • 751 – Bealach Cro[citation needed]
  • 759 – Dun Bile[citation needed]
  • 762 – Caill Tuidbig[citation needed]
  • 769 – Bolg Boinne[citation needed]
  • 781 – Ath Liacc Finn[citation needed]
  • 787 – Ard Mic Rime[citation needed]

9th century[]

  • 800 – Ardrahan[citation needed]
  • 820 – Carn Conain[citation needed]
  • 845 – Dunamase[citation needed]
  • 848 – Battle of Skryne[citation needed]
  • 851 – Battle of Dundalk[citation needed]

10th century[]

11th century[]

  • 1014 – Battle of Clontarf
  • 1086 – Breach of Crinach[citation needed]
  • 1087 – Conachail, in Corann
  • 1087 – Rath Edair[citation needed]
  • 1088 – Corcach[citation needed]
  • 1090 – Magh Lena, in Meath[citation needed]
  • 1094 – Bealach Gort an Iubhair[citation needed]
  • 1094 – Fidhnacha[citation needed]
  • 1095 – Ard Achad[citation needed]
  • 1098 – Fearsat-Suilighe[citation needed]
  • 1099 – Craebh Tulla[citation needed]

12th century[]

  • 1101 – Battle of Grianan[citation needed]
  • 1103 – Battle of Magh Cobha[4]
  • 1132 – Siege of Dún Béal Gallimhe
  • 1149 – Siege of Dún Béal Gallimhe
  • 1151 – Battle of Móin Mhór
  • 1169/05 – Beginning of the Norman invasion of Ireland
  • 1169/05 – Battle of Duncormac, County Wexford – Norman victory over a combined Irish-Norse force
  • 1169/05 – Siege of Wexford – Norman victory over a combined Irish-Norse force
  • 1169/05 – Battle of Gowran – Norman defeat
  • 1170/05 – Battle of Dundonnell (aka Battle of Baginbun), County Wexford – Norman victory over a combined Irish-Norse force
  • 1170/08 – Battle of Waterford – Norman victory over a combined Irish-Norse force
  • 1170/09 – Sack of Dublin – Norman victory over a combined Irish-Norse force
  • 1171 – Battle of Carrick – Norman defeat
  • 1173 – Battle of Kilkenny – Norman defeat
  • 1174 – Battle of Thurles – Norman defeat
  • 1175 – Battle of Meath – Norman victory
  • 1175 – Battle of Athlone – Norman victory
  • 1175 – Battle of Drogheda – Norman victory
  • 1176 – Battle of Meath – Norman defeat
  • 1176 – Battle of Armagh – Norman defeat
  • 1192 – Aughera – Norman defeat[citation needed]

13th century[]

14th century[]

Bruce Campaign[]


  • 1328 – Battle of Thomond
  • 1329 – Battle of Ardnocher
  • 1330 – Battle of Fiodh-an-Átha
  • 1333–1338 – Burke Civil War
  • 1336 – Castlemore-Costello besieged and demolished by the King of Connacht[citation needed]
  • 1340 – Battle of the O Cellaig's[citation needed]
  • 1341 – Battle of the Clan Maurice[citation needed]
  • 1342 – Battle of Beal-atha-Slisen – King of Connacht defeats the King of Moylurg[citation needed]
  • 1343 – Battle of Hy-Many – MacFeorais and Clanricarde soundly defeat a small force from the Uí Maine. Achadhmona; battle between the O'Donnells, in Tirhugh
  • 1345 – Battle of Lough Neagh – naval battle between Hugh O'Neill and the Clann Hugh Buidhe[citation needed]
  • 1346 – Calry-Lough-Gill – O Rourke soundly defeated by the O Connors. Brian Mag Mathgamna defeats and kills 300 English somewhere in Thomond[citation needed]
  • 1348 – Ballymote besieged and burned by MacDermot, O Connor defeated[citation needed]
  • 1349 – O Melaghlin of Meath defeated in battle by the English[citation needed]
  • 1355 – The English of West Connaught defeated Mac William Burke, and killed many of his people Clanricarde defeats the Mayo Bourkes and the Siol Anmchadha[citation needed]
  • 1356 – Baile-Locha-Deacair[citation needed]
  • 1358 – Hugh O Neill defeats the Fer Managh and Orial. O More defeats the English of Dublin in battle[citation needed]
  • 1359 – Ballyshannon[citation needed]
  • 1366 – Srath-Fear-Luirg[citation needed]
  • 1368 – Oriel[citation needed]
  • 1369 – Blencupa[citation needed]
  • 1369 – Lough Erne – English of Munster and Desmond soundly defeated by O Brian, possibly at Limerick[citation needed]
  • 1373 – Annaly[citation needed]
  • 1374 – Niall O Neill defeats the English[citation needed]
  • 1375 – Downpatrick – Niall O Neill defeats the English[citation needed]
  • 1377 – Clann-Cuilein – Clanricarde and his allies defeated[citation needed]
  • 1377 – Roscommon – Ruaidri O Conchobhair defeats the Mayo Burkes and the Uí Maine[citation needed]
  • 1379 – Dreach – O Neill Mor defeats Maguire[citation needed]
  • 1380 – Atha-leathann – Clanricarde defeated by Bourke of Mayo[citation needed]
  • 1381 – Athlone[citation needed]
  • 1383 – Trian Chongail – Hugh O Neill and Robin Savage kill each other in a cavalry charge[citation needed]
  • 1384 – Carrickfergus "burned by Niall O'Neill, who thereupon acquired great power over the English"[citation needed]
  • 1385 – Battle of Tochar Cruachain-Bri-Ele – O Conchobhair, King of Uí Falighe, soundly defeats the English of Meath
  • 1389 – Caislen an Uabhair[citation needed]
  • 1391 – Bealach-an-Chrionaigh[citation needed]
  • 1392 – Ceann-Maghair[citation needed]
  • 1394 – Battle of Ros-Mhic-Thriúin
  • 1395 – Cruachain – the King of Uí Failghe defeats an English expedition. O Donnell defeats and captures the sons of Henry O Neill[citation needed]
  • 1396 – Creag – O Conchobhair Roe defeats O Conchobhair Donn. O Tuathail of Lenister inflicts a severe defeat on the Anglo-Irish[citation needed]
  • 1396 – Sligo – O Donnell and O Connor besiege and burn the town[citation needed]
  • 1397 – Machaire Chonnacht[citation needed]
  • 1397 – Bun-Brenoige[citation needed]
  • 1398 – Eachdruim Mac n-Aodha – the O Tooles and O Byrnes defeat the Anglo-Irish, killing the Earl of March[citation needed]
  • 1398 – Magh-Tuiredh – O Conchobair Roe and allies defeated by McDonagh[citation needed]
  • 1399 – Battle of Tragh-Bhaile – the Anglo-Irish defeat the sons of Henry O Neill[citation needed]

15th century[]

  • 1400 – Dunamon.[citation needed]
  • 1406 – Battle of Cluain Immorrais
  • 1444 – Duibhthrian; Sligo burned by the O Donnells, Maguires and O Connors.[citation needed]
  • 1446 – Cuil Ua bh-Fionntain[citation needed]
  • 1449 – Muintir-Maelmora[citation needed]
  • 1452 – Cloch-an-bhodaigh; Coirrshliabh na Seaghsa[citation needed]
  • 1453 – Ardglass (naval battle)[citation needed]
  • 1454 – Inis[citation needed]
  • 1455 – Athlone: The castle of Athlone was taken from the English, having been betrayed by a woman who was in it.
  • 1456 – Cuil Mic an Treoin (Friday 18 May)[citation needed]
  • 1457 – Druim da Ethiar[citation needed]
  • 1460 – Corca Bhaiscinn (naval battle)[citation needed]
  • 1461 – Ceann Maghair[citation needed]
  • 1462 – Waterford taken by the Butlers in a war with the FitzGeralds.[citation needed]
  • 1462 – Lancastrian Butlers defeated by Yorkist FitzGeralds at Battle of Piltown in Wars of the Roses.
  • 1464 – Sliabh Lugha[citation needed]
  • 1465 – Carn Fraoich[citation needed]
  • 1466 – Offaly; Anglo-Irish army defeated by O Connor[citation needed]
  • 1467 – CrosMoighe-Croin[citation needed]
  • 1468 – Beann-uamha; Scormor, in Clann Chathail mic Murray[citation needed]
  • 1469 – Baile-an-Duibh; The Defeat of Glanog[citation needed]
  • 1473 – Doire-Bhaile-na-Cairrge[citation needed]
  • 1475 – Baile-Locha-Luatha[citation needed]
  • 1476 – Beal Feirste (Belfast)[citation needed]
  • 1478 – Sligo, and the siege of Carrig Lough Ce[citation needed]
  • 1482 – Ath-na-gCeannaigheadh[citation needed]
  • 1483 – Traghbhaile of Dundalk[citation needed]
  • 1484 – Moin-Ladhraighe[citation needed]
  • 1486 – Tirawley[citation needed]
  • 1488 – two sieges of Carraig Lough Ce[citation needed]
  • 1489 – Belfast castle demolished by O Donnell; Ballytober Bride sacked by O Connor Roe[citation needed]
  • 1490 – Maigh Croghan[citation needed]
  • 1493 – Glasdromainn; Beanna Boirche;[citation needed]
  • 1494 – O Donnell besieges Sligo for several months in the summer, but is unsuccessful[citation needed]
  • 1495 – O Donnell besieges Sligo again; battle of Beal an Droichit; siege of Ballyshannon; battle of Termon-Daveog[citation needed]
  • 1497 – Bealach-Buidhe; Beal Ath Daire.[citation needed]
  • 1498 – Cros-Caibhdeanaigh. Dungannon.[citation needed]
  • 1499 – Tulsk. First recorded death in Ireland from a bullet.[citation needed]

16th century[]

  • 1504 – Battle of Knockdoe – Fitzgeralds of Kildare defeat the Clanricarde Burkes
  • 1522 – Battle of Knockavoe – Clash between O'Donnells and O'Neills
  • 1534 – Battle of Salcock Wood- A force from Dublin is defeated by a coalition of the O'Tooles and Fitzgerald supporters.[5]
  • 1534 – Siege of Dublin Castle by 'Silken' Thomas Fitzgerald in Kildare
  • 1535 – Siege of Maynooth Castle, the chief residence of Fitzgerald, by English forces[6]
  • 1539 – Battle of Bellahoe Ford – A force led by Leonard Grey routs an O'Donnell/O'Neill force[7]
  • 1559 – Battle of Spancel Hill, a conflict over the O'Brien succession
  • 1565 – Battle of GlentasieShane O'Neill defeats the MacDonnells of Clan Iain Mor
  • 1565 – Battle of Affane – Fitzgeralds of Desmond defeated by Butlers of Ormond
  • 1567 – Battle of Farsetmore – Shane O'Neill defeated by O'Donnell clan
  • 1570 – Battle of Shrule[8]
  • 1586 – Battle of Ardnaree – Mercenary Scots entering Connacht are surprised and destroyed by Bingham's army[9]
  • 1590 – Battle of Doire Leathan – part of the O'Donnell Succession dispute

Mac an Iarla War[]

  • 1572 – First Sack of Athenry[citation needed]
  • 1573 – Beal an Chip[citation needed]
  • 1577 – Second Sack of Athenry[citation needed]
  • 1577 – Siege of Loughrea[citation needed]
  • 1579 – Lisdalon[citation needed]
  • 1580 – Sack of Loughrea[citation needed]
  • 1580 – Cill Tuathail[citation needed]

Desmond Rebellions[]

First Desmond Rebellion (1569–1573)

  • 1569 – Siege of Kilkenny[citation needed]
  • 1569 – First Battle of Killamock[citation needed]
  • 1571 – Second Battle of Kilmallock[10]

Second Desmond Rebellion (1579–1583)

  • 1579 – Aenachbeg[citation needed]
  • 1579 – Sack of Youghal[citation needed]
  • 1579 – Sack of Kinsale[citation needed]
  • 1580 – Battle of Glenmalure
  • 1580 – Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle
  • 1580 – Siege of Smerwick
  • 1582 – Allhallowtide[citation needed]

Spanish Armada[]

  • 1588 – Crown mobilisation to capture survivors

Nine Years' War[]

17th century[]

O'Doherty's Rebellion[]

Irish Confederate Wars[]

Williamite War[]

18th century[]

  • 1760 – Battle of Carrickfergus – Carrickfergus seized by the French for five days.
  • 1795 – Battle of the Diamond – a sectarian faction fight in County Armagh, that led to the founding of the Orange Order

United Irishmen Rebellion[]

Several fragments of the rebel armies of the Summer of 1798 survived to fight on both in the hope of the rebellion breaking out again and of French aid. The main guerrilla groupings were:

  • June – November 1798 – Joseph Holt
  • 23 July 1803 – Robert Emmet
  • 1798 -1803 – Michael Dwyer
  • 1798 – 1804 – James Corcoran

19th century[]

  • 1831–1836 – Tithe War: a period of rural insurgency over the payment of tithes to the Established Church.
  • 1867 – Fenian Rising: an abortive attempt at a nationwide rebellion by the Irish Republican Brotherhood.

20th century[]

Irish revolutionary years[]

Only the major engagements of this period are listed below.

  • 1916 – Easter Rising
Irish War of Independence
Irish Civil War

IRA Northern Campaigns[]

The Troubles[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ The Annals of Inisfallen, Year 459
  2. ^ The Annals of Ulster, AD 431–1201, Year 461
  3. ^ AFM, p. M544.3.
  4. ^ Bartlett, A Military History of Ireland, Ch 3, pg 59
  5. ^ Bartlett, A Military History of Ireland, Ch 6, pg 129
  6. ^ Bartlett, A Military History of Ireland, Ch 6, pg 130
  7. ^ Lennon, Sixteenth-Century Ireland: The Incomplete Conquest, pg 151
  8. ^ "Battle of Shrule, 1570". Shrule.com. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  9. ^ Lennon, Sixteenth-Century Ireland: The Incomplete Conquest, pg 255
  10. ^ Connolly, Contested Island, pg 267
  11. ^ Connolly, Contested Island, pg 276
  12. ^ Tinniswood, The Verneys, pg 180
  13. ^ Meehan, Confederation of Kilkenny, pg 76
  14. ^ "Exploring the secret history of Derry's Walls". Derry Journal. 1 October 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  15. ^ Scott-Wheeler, Cromwell in Ireland, pg 135

Secondary references[]

Annals of the Four Masters, ed. & tr. John O'Donovan (1856). Annála Rioghachta Éireann. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters... with a Translation and Copious Notes. 7 vols (2nd ed.). Dublin: Royal Irish Academy.CS1 maint: postscript (link) CELT editions. Full scans at Internet Archive: Vol. 1; Vol. 2; Vol. 3; Vol. 4; Vol. 5; Vol. 6; Indices.

External links[]

  • CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts at University College Cork includes the Annals of Ulster, Tigernach, the Four Masters and Innisfallen, the Chronicon Scotorum, the Lebor Bretnach (which includes the Duan Albanach), Genealogies, and various Saints' Lives. Most are translated into English, or translations are in progress.
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