Giraldus (c.1146-c.1223) is famous, and infamous, for his works describing Wales and Ireland in the later twelfth century: they present both countries from the viewpoint of a Roman-minded Cambro-Norman cleric. However, we also can ascertain his view of Europe through a map that is found in a manuscript along with his two books on Ireland—the … Read more
He started life as an illiterate barrow-boy and died a viscount, having taken three wives on the way. This is the incredible story of Matthew Barnewall. ‘Never without an idiot or a lawsuit’ The Barnewalls were Normans, and took their name from the small sea-side town of Berneval le Grand sur Mer, a little way … Read more
There is one overriding and rather obvious dissimilarity between Ireland and Scotland: Ireland is an island. Throughout its early history, at least until the arrival of the Vikings at the end of the eighth century, Ireland was inhabited by a people who spoke a common language and who thereby could convince themselves that they were … Read more
Whether or not Glenveagh, County Donegal, and Scotland’s Great Glen are geologically connected is a question best left to specialists, but the fact remains that they look very much alike. Both are corridors through highland landscapes and both are routes of communication. Both were known to Columba. He was born c. 521 and his birth-place, … Read more
The first Viking raid on Ireland is recorded in the Annals of Ulster for the year AD 795. The 1200th anniversary of this event in 1995 was marked by an international conference in Dublin attended by over 300 delegates. The proceedings have now been published—Ireland and Scandinavia in the Early Viking Age (Four Courts Press, … Read more