The Vikings held sway in Ireland from 795 AD until defeated by Brian Boru at the battle of Clontarf in 1014.
While they are not remembered fondly in Ireland, with good reason, their legacy is not entirely negative, they introduced coinage to Ireland and established many of what are now the most important cities and towns in the country.
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In 1170 Ireland was again invaded, by the Normans, led by Strongbow, beginning a period of almost 800 years of occupation.
The importance of the Normans in Ireland’s history cannot be overstated – they had an effect on every aspect of life and the legacy of their building is still visible throughout the country. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland are Norman castles.
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Among the surnames found in Ireland which date to the time of Norse or Viking invasions are fairly rare ones like Dromgoole and Trant, but also commoner ones such as Doyle and MacManus.
But recent research suggests that their main contribution may have been greater than that – they may be responsible for introducing the concept of a surname to Ireland.
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There is so much to see in Ireland’s capital, but we’ve distilled it down to a few essentials for those who can only visit for a short time.
Like any capital city it’s a big and busy place, but also one where just walking the streets and seeing where it will take you can be very rewarding.
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While many cave systems open to visitors in Ireland were discovered relatively recently, this one has been known about since at least the 9th century, and its history is as interesting as its geology.
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More of an adventurous day out than a visit to a museum, St Patrick’s Trian is a hot favourite with kids.
As well as the story of St Patrick, there is a surprisingly good section on the history of Armagh and one about Gulliver’s Travels.
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