Ireland

Abstract

Around 7500 BC Mesolithic hunter-gatherers travelled across the land bridge that connected southwest Scotland with northern Ireland. From the sixth century BC, the island was invaded by Celtic tribes, including the Gaels, who established pastoral communities within massive stone forts. The Gaels also created settlements in Scotland (Dal Riata) and west Wales. Christian missionaries reached Ireland in the third century AD. St Patrick, born in Britain, lived and preached in Ireland from c. 432 until his death c. 465. Christianity found a haven in Ireland in contrast to much of northern Europe, ravaged by fragmentary forces following the collapse of the Roman Empire. Later, Irish missionaries took Celtic Christianity to Britain and continental Europe. By the fifth century AD there were five leading Gaelic kingdoms: Ulster, Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Meath. Vikings first appeared on the Irish coast in the late seventh century. A full-scale Viking invasion in 795 heralded more than two hundred years of Scandinavian influence. Dublin became a key outpost in the Viking diaspora.