List of conflicts in Ireland explained

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

See main article: List of wars involving the Republic of Ireland and List of Irish uprisings.

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

List of battles in Ireland

Prehistoric era

The Annals of the Four Masters, written in the 17th century, records a number battles as having taken place in prehistoric Ireland. These include:

• 2530 AM (Anno Mundi) – Battle of Mag Itha, the first recorded battle in Ireland
• 3304 AM – First Battle of Magh Tuireadh
• 3330 AM – Second Battle of Magh Tuireadh
• 76 AD (Anno Domini) – Battle at the hill of Achall (Túathal Techtmar defeats Elim mac Conrach)
• 195 AD – Battle of Maigh Mucruimhe
• 226 AD – Crinna, in Brega
• 283 AD – Cath Gabhra (the Battle of Gowra)^[1]
• 331 AD – Battle of Achadh Leith-dheirg^[2]

5th century

• 459 – Ath Dara^{[3] [4]}
• 464 – First Battle of Dumha Aichir
• 468 – Bri Ele
• 470 – Second Battle of Dumha Aichir
• 476 – First Battle of Granard
• 478 – Ocha
• 480 – Second Battle of Granard
• 483 – Battle of Ochae
• 489 – Tailtin
• 491 – Cell Losnaid
  • 492 – Sleamhain, in Meath 493 – Battle for the Body of St. Patrick^[5]
• 494 – Ceann Ailbhe
• 496 – Druim Lochmaighe
• 497 – Inde Mor, in Crioch Ua nGabhla
• 499 – Seaghais

6th century

• 500 – Lochmagh
  • 501 – Freamhain, in Meath 506 – Luachair
• 507 – Druim Deargaighe
• 528 – Luachair
• 531 – Claenloch
• 537 – Sligeach
• 544 – Cuil Conaire
• 546 – Cuilne
• 556 – Cuil Uinnsenn
• 560 – Battle of Cúl Dreimhne ('Battle of the Book')^[6]
• 561 – Cul Dremne
• 563 – Moin Dairi Lothar
• 571 – Battle of Tola
• 572 – Battle of Doete
• 579 – Druim Mic Earca
• 585 – Kalketh
• 590 – Eadan Mor
• 594 – Dun Bolg
• 597 – Battle of Sleamhain
• 598 – Eachros

7th century

• 600 – Loch Semhedidhe
• 601 – Battle of Slaibhre
• 622 – Carn Fearadhaigh
• 622 – Lethed Midinn
• 624 – Ard Corainn
• 626 – Leathairbhe
• 628 – Ath Goan
• 634 – Magh Rath
• 637 – Battle of Moira^[7]
• 645 – Carn Conaill
• 648 – Cuil Corra
• 656 – Fleasach
• 660 – Ogamhain
• 666 – Battle of Aine
• 681 – Bla Sléibe
• 685 – Cenn Conn
• 686 – Leach Phich
• 688 – Imlech
• 696 – Tulach Garraisg

8th century

• 701 – Corann
• 702 – Claen Ath
• 713 – Cam Feradaig
• 718 – Battle of Almhain
• 719 – Delgean
• 721 – Druim Fornocht
• 724 – Cenn Deilgden
• 727 – Magh Itha
• 730 – Bealach Ele
• 732 – Fochart
• 733 – Battle of Ath Seanaith
• 738 – Ceanannus
• 744 – Ard Cianachta
• 749 – Ard Naescan
• 751 – Bealach Cro
• 759 – Dun Bile
• 762 – Caill Tuidbig
• 766 – Cath Sruthair^[8]
• 769 – Bolg Boinne
• 781 – Ath Liacc Finn
• 787 – Ard Mic Rime

9th century

• 800 – Ardrahan
• 820 – Carn Conain
• 845 – Dunamase
• 848 – Battle of Skryne
• 851 – Battle of Dundalk
• 877 – Battle of Strangford Lough

10th century

• 908 – Battle of Bellaghmoon
• 917 – Battle of Confey
• 919 – Battle of Islandbridge
• 967/8 – Battle of Sulcoit
• 967/8 – Burning of Luimnech
• 977/8 – Battle of Cathair Cuan
• 978 – Battle of Belach Lechta
• 980 – Battle of Tara
• 994 – Sack of Domhnach Padraig
• 994 – Sack of Aenach Thete
• 999 – Battle of Glenmama

11th century

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

12th century

• 1101 – Battle of Grianan
• 1103 – Battle of Magh Cobha^[9]
• 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
• 1171/08 – Siege of Dublin – Norman victory
• 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 – Battle of Aughera – Norman defeat

13th century

• 1224 – Sack of Ard Abla
• 1225 – Sack of Loch Nen
• 1225 – Sack of Ardrahan
• 1230 – Siege of Dún Béal Gallimhe
• 1230 – Findcairn
• 1232 – Siege of Dún Béal Gallimhe
• 1234 – Battle of the Curragh
• 1235 – Siege of Dún Béal Gallimhe
  • 1247 – Battle of Ballyshannon 1247 – Siege of Dún Béal Gallimhe
• 1249 – First Battle of Athenry
• 1256 – Battle of Magh Slecht
• 1257 – Battle of Creadran Cille
• 1257 – Sack of Sligo
• 1260 – Battle of Druim Dearg
• 1261 – Battle of Callann
• 1270 – Battle of Áth-an-Chip

14th century

Bruce Campaign

See main article: Bruce campaign in Ireland.

• 1315 – Battle of Carrickfergus
• 1315 – Battle of Moiry Pass (June)
• 1315 – First battle of Dundalk (June)
• 1315 – Battle of Connor (September)
• 1315 – Second battle of Dundalk (November)
• 1315 – Battle of Kells (December)
• 1316 – Battle of Skerries (January)
• 1316 – Second Battle of Athenry (August)
• 1317 – Battle of Lough Raska (August)
• 1318 – Battle of Dysert O'Dea (May)
• 1318 – Battle of Faughart (October)

----

• 1328 – Battle of Thomond
  • 1329 – Braganstown massacre 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
• 1340 – Battle of the O Cellaig's
• 1341 – Battle of the Clan Maurice
• 1342 – Battle of Beal-atha-Slisen – King of Connacht defeats the King of Moylurg
• 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
• 1346 – Calry-Lough-Gill – O Rourke soundly defeated by the O Connors. Brian Mag Mathgamna defeats and kills 300 English somewhere in Thomond
• 1348 – Ballymote besieged and burned by MacDermot, O Connor defeated
• 1349 – O Melaghlin of Meath defeated in battle by the English
• 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
• 1356 – Baile-Locha-Deacair
• 1358 – Hugh O Neill defeats the Fer Managh and Orial. O More defeats the English of Dublin in battle
• 1359 – Ballyshannon
• 1366 – Srath-Fear-Luirg
• 1368 – Oriel
• 1369 – Blencupa
• 1369 – Lough Erne – English of Munster and Desmond soundly defeated by O Brian, possibly at Limerick
• 1373 – Annaly
• 1374 – Niall O Neill defeats the English
• 1375 – Downpatrick – Niall O Neill defeats the English
• 1377 – Clann-Cuilein – Clanricarde and his allies defeated
• 1377 – Roscommon – Ruaidri O Conchobhair defeats the Mayo Burkes and the Uí Maine
• 1379 – Dreach – O Neill Mor defeats Maguire
• 1380 – Atha-leathann – Clanricarde defeated by Bourke of Mayo
• 1381 – Athlone
• 1383 – Trian Chongail – Hugh O Neill and Robin Savage kill each other in a cavalry charge
• 1384 – Carrickfergus "burned by Niall O'Neill, who thereupon acquired great power over the English"
• 1385 – Battle of Tochar Cruachain-Bri-Ele – O Conchobhair, King of Uí Falighe, soundly defeats the English of Meath
• 1389 – Caislen an Uabhair
• 1391 – Bealach-an-Chrionaigh
• 1392 – Ceann-Maghair
• 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
• 1396 – Creag – O Conchobhair Roe defeats O Conchobhair Donn. O Tuathail of Lenister inflicts a severe defeat on the Anglo-Irish
• 1396 – Sligo – O Donnell and O Connor besiege and burn the town
• 1397 – Machaire Chonnacht
• 1397 – Bun-Brenoige
• 1398 – Eachdruim Mac n-Aodha – the O Tooles and O Byrnes defeat the Anglo-Irish, killing the Earl of March
• 1398 – Magh-Tuiredh – O Conchobair Roe and allies defeated by McDonagh
• 1399 – Battle of Tragh-Bhaile – the Anglo-Irish defeat the sons of Henry O Neill

15th century

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

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.^[10]
• 1534 – Siege of Dublin Castle by 'Silken' Thomas Fitzgerald in Kildare
• 1535 – Siege of Maynooth Castle, the chief residence of Fitzgerald, by English forces^[11]
• 1539 – Battle of Bellahoe Ford – A force led by Leonard Grey routs an O'Donnell/O'Neill force^[12]
• 1559 – Battle of Spancel Hill, a conflict over the O'Brien succession
• 1565 – Battle of Glentasie – Shane 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^[13]
  • 1575 – Rathlin Island Massacre 1583 – Battle of Aura – McQuillans, MacDonnells and O'Neills fight for control of Dunluce Castle
• 1586 – Battle of Ardnaree – Mercenary Scots entering Connacht are surprised and destroyed by Bingham's army^[14]
• 1590 – Battle of Doire Leathan – part of the O'Donnell Succession dispute

Mac an Iarla War

c. 1570–1583, between the sons of Richard Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde

Desmond Rebellions

See main article: Desmond Rebellions.

First Desmond Rebellion (1569–1573)

• 1569 – Siege of Kilkenny
• 1569 – First Battle of Killamock
• 1571 – Second Battle of Kilmallock^[15]

Second Desmond Rebellion (1579–1583)

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

Spanish Armada

See main article: Spanish Armada in Ireland.

• 1588 – Crown mobilisation to capture survivors

Nine Years' War

17th century

O'Doherty's Rebellion

See main article: O'Doherty's Rebellion.

• 1608- Burning of Derry
• 1608- Battle of Kilmacrennan: Ends Cahir O'Doherty's brief rebellion.^[16]
• 1608- Siege of Tory Island

Barbary Slave Trade

See main article: Barbary Slave Trade.

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

See main article: Irish Rebellion of 1798.

• 24 May – Ballymore-Eustace, Naas, Prosperous, Kilcullen
• 25 May – Carlow
• 26 May – Tara Hill
• 27 May – Oulart Hill
• 28 May – Enniscorthy
• 30 May – Three Rocks
• 1 June – Bunclody
• 4 June – Tuberneering
• 5 June – New Ross
• 7 June – Antrim
• 9 June – Saintfield
• 9 June – Arklow
• 13 June – Ballinahinch
• 19 June – Ovidstown
• 20 June – Foulksmills
• 21 June – Vinegar Hill
• 30 June – Ballyellis
• 27 August – Castlebar
• 5 September – Collooney
• 7 September – Ballinamuck

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

• 1803 – Irish rebellion of 1803: failed republican uprising led by Robert Emmet.
• 1831–1836 – Tithe War: a period of rural insurgency over the payment of tithes to the Church of Ireland by non-members.
• 1848 – Young Ireland rebellion: failed Irish nationalist uprising by the Young Ireland group.
• 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

See main article: Timeline of the Irish War of Independence.

• 1919 January 19 – Soloheadbeg Ambush
• 1920 October 22 - Tooreen ambush
• 1920 November 2 – Battle of Ballinalee
• 1920 November 28 – Kilmichael Ambush
• 1921 February 1 – Clonfin Ambush
• 1921 February 3 - Dromkeen ambush
• 1921 February 20 - Clonmult ambush
• 1921 February 25 – Coolavokig Ambush
• 1921 March 11 - Selton Hill ambush
• 1921 March 19 – Crossbarry Ambush
• 1921 March 21 - Headford Ambush
• 1921 March 23 - Scramoge ambush
• 1921 May 19 - Kilmeena ambush
• 1921 May 25 - Burning of the Custom House
• 1921 June 2 - Carrowkennedy ambush

Irish Civil War

See main article: Irish Civil War and Timeline of the Irish Civil War.

• 1922 – Battle of Dublin
• 1922 – Irish Free State offensive
• 1922 – Battle of Kilmallock
• 1922 - Battle of Newport (County Mayo)
• 1922-23 - Guerrilla phase of the Irish Civil War

IRA Northern Campaigns

• 1942–1944 – First guerrilla campaign by the Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)
• 1956–1962 – Second guerrilla campaign by the Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)

The Troubles

See main article: The Troubles, Provisional IRA campaign 1969-1997 and Operation Banner.

See also: Timeline of the Troubles.

• 1969 – Battle of the Bogside
• 1970 – Falls Curfew
• 1971 - Operation Demetrius
• 1972 - Bloody Sunday
• 1972 - Battle at Springmartin
• 1972 - Battle of Lenadoon
• 1972 - Operation Motorman
• 1972 - Springhill Massacre
• 1972 - Bloody Friday
• 1974 - Attack on UDR Clogher barracks
• 1975 - Drummuckavall ambush
• 1978 - Jonesboro Army Gazelle downing
• 1979 - Warrenpoint ambush
• 1984 - Kesh ambush
• 1985 - Strabane ambush
• 1985 - Newry mortar attack
• 1987 - Loughgall ambush
• 1988 - Ballygawley bus bombing
• 1989 - Attack on Derryard checkpoint
• 1990 - Derrygorry Army Gazelle downing
• 1990 - Operation Conservation
• 1991 - Mullacreevie ambush
• 1991 - Glenanne barracks bombing
• 1991 - Coagh ambush
• 1991 - Cappagh killings
• 1992 - Clonoe ambush
• 1992 - Attack on Cloghoge checkpoint
• 1992 - Coalisland riots
• 1992 - South Armagh sniper campaign
• 1993 - Battle of Newry Road
• 1994 - Crossmaglen Army Lynx downing
• 1994 - 1994 Shankill Road killings
• 1997 - July riots

Dissident Irish Republican Campaign

See main article: Dissident Irish republican campaign.

• 1999- Stamullen raid^{[17] [18]}

See also

• List of Irish rebellions
• Military history of Ireland
• Irish military diaspora

References

Sources

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.

Notes and References

1. O'Grady, Standish, ed. (1892), The Colloquy of the Ancients, London: Williams and Norgate, p. 2
2. Book: Keating . Geoffrey . O'Mahony . John . 1857 . The History of Ireland: From the Earliest Period to the English Invasion . P. M. Haverty . 366–.
3. The Annals of Inisfallen, Year 459
4. The Annals of Ulster, AD 431–1201, Year 461
5. s.a. 493.3.
6. The Battle of Cúl Dreimne: A Reassessment. 25509109. Lacey. Brian. The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. 2003. 133. 78–85.
7. Web site: 24 June 2016. 637 The Battle of Moira is fought between the High King of Ireland and the Kings of Ulster and Dalriada. It is the largest battle in the history of Ireland. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160625081257/https://stairnaheireann.net/2016/06/24/637-the-battle-of-moira-is-fought-between-the-high-king-of-ireland-and-the-kings-of-ulster-and-dalriada-it-is-the-largest-battle-in-the-history-of-ireland/ . 25 June 2016 . www.stairnahéireann.com.
8. .
9. Bartlett, A Military History of Ireland, Ch 3, pg 59
10. Bartlett, A Military History of Ireland, Ch 6, pg 129
11. Bartlett, A Military History of Ireland, Ch 6, pg 130
12. Lennon, Sixteenth-Century Ireland: The Incomplete Conquest, pg 151
13. Web site: Battle of Shrule, 1570 . Shrule.com . May 12, 2015.
14. Lennon, Sixteenth-Century Ireland: The Incomplete Conquest, pg 255
15. Connolly, Contested Island, pg 267
16. Connolly, Contested Island, pg 276
17. Web site: Garda chief pledges to halt the Real IRA. 2021-11-09. Irish Independent. en.
18. News: Keogh. Elaine. Gardai arrest 10 over arms find in bunker. 2021-11-09. The Irish Times. en.