List of conflicts in Ireland

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This is a list of major military engagements throughout Irish history including:

Prehistoric era

5th century

• 459 – Ath Dara ^[1][2]
• 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
• 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
• 513 – Battle of Dedna
• 528 – Luachair
• 531 – Claenloch
• 537 – Sligeach
• 544 – Cuil Conaire
• 546 – Cuilne
• 556 – Cuil Uinnsenn
• 561 – Cul Dremne
• 563 – Moin Dairi Lothar
• 571 – Battle of Tola
• 572 – Battle of Doete
• 579 – Druim Mic Earca
• 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
• 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
• 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

10th century

• 908 – Battle of Bellaghmoon
• 915/916/917 – Battle of Confey (year uncertain)
• 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 ^[3]
• 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

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 – Siege of Dún Béal Gallimhe
• 1249 – First Battle of Athenry
• 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

• 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)
• 1318 – Battle of Dysert O'Dea (May)
• 1318 – Battle of Faughart (October)

---

• 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
• 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 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
• 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.^[4]
• 1534 – Siege of Dublin Castle by 'Silken' Thomas Fitzgerald in Kildare
• 1535 – Siege of Maynooth Castle, the chief residence of Fitzgerald, by English forces ^[5]
• 1539 – Battle of Bellahoe Ford – A force led by Leonard Grey routs an O'Donnell/O'Neill force^[6]
• 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 ^[7]
• 1586 – Battle of Ardnaree – Mercenary Scots entering Connacht are surprised and destroyed by Bingham's army^[8]
• 1590 – Battle of Doire Leathan – part of the O'Donnell Succession dispute

Mac an Iarla War

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

Desmond Rebellions

First Desmond Rebellion (1569–1573)

• 1569 – Siege of Kilkenny
• 1569 – First Battle of Killamock
• 1571 – Second Battle of Kilmallock ^[9]

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

• 1588 – Crown mobilisation to capture survivors

Nine Years' War

• 1594 – Siege of Enniskillen
• 1594 – Battle of the Ford of the Biscuits
• 1595 – Battle of Clontibret
• 1596 – Third Sack of Athenry
• 1596 – Siege of Galway, Sack of Bohermore
• 1597 – Battle of Casan-na-gCuradh
• 1597 – Battle of Carrickfergus
• 1598 – Battle of the Yellow Ford
• 1599 – Siege of Cahir Castle
• 1599 – Wicklow
• 1599 – Battle of Curlew Pass
• 1600 – Battle of Moyry Pass
• 1601- Battle of Castlehaven
• 1601 – Siege of Donegal
• 1601 – Battle of Kinsale
• 1602 – Siege of Dunboy
• 1602 – Burning of Dungannon

17th century

O'Doherty's Rebellion

• 1608- Burning of Derry
• 1608- Battle of Kilmacrennan: Ends Cahir O'Doherty's brief rebellion.^[10]
• 1608- Siege of Tory Island

Irish Confederate Wars

• 1641 – Battle of Julianstown
• 1642 – Battle of Swords ^[11]
• 1642 – Battle of Liscarroll
• 1642 – Battle of Kilrush
• 1642 – Battle of Glenmaquin
• 1642 – Sack of the Claddagh
• 1642 – Siege of Limerick 1642
• 1643 – Battle of New Ross (1643)
• 1643 – Battle of Castlelyons ^[12]
• 1643 – Battle of Portlester ^[13]
• 1643 – Siege of Forthill
• 1645 – Siege of Duncannon
• 1646 – Battle of Benburb
• 1647 – Battle of Dungans Hill
• 1647 – Sack of Cashel
• 1647 – Battle of Knocknanauss
• 1649 – Battle of Rathmines
• 1649 – Siege of Drogheda
• 1649 – Sack of Wexford
• 1649 – Siege of Waterford
• 1649 – Battle of Arklow/Glascarrick
• 1649 – Battle of Lisnagarvey
• 1649 – Siege of Derry (1649) ^[14]
• 1650 – Siege of Kilkenny ^[15]
• 1650 – Siege of Clonmel
• 1650 – Battle of Tecroghan
• 1650 – Battle of Scarrifholis
• 1650 – Siege of Charlemont
• 1650 – Battle of Macroom
• 1650 – Battle of Meelick Island
• 1651 – Siege of Limerick (1650–1651)
• 1651 – Battle of Knocknaclashy
• 1652 – Siege of Galway

Williamite War

• 1689 – Break of Dromore
• 1689 – Siege of Derry
• 1689 – Battle of Newtownbutler
• 1689 – Siege of Carrickfergus
• 1689 – Raid on Newry
• 1690 – Battle of Cavan
• 1690 – Capture of Sligo
• 1690 – Battle of the Boyne
• 1690 – Siege of Limerick (1690)
• 1690 – Siege of Cork
• 1690 – Siege of Kinsale (1690)
• 1691 – Siege of Athlone
• 1691 – Capture of Athenry
• 1691 – Siege of Galway
• 1691 – Siege of Limerick (1691)
• 1691 – Battle of Aughrim

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

• 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 Corocoran

19th century

Tithe War

• 1831–1836 – a period of rural insurgency over the payment of tithes to the Established Church.

Fenian Rising

• 1867 – an abortive attempt at a nationwide rebellion by the Irish Republican Brotherhood.

20th century

Easter Rising, Irish War of Independence & Civil War, 1916–22

Only the major engagements of this period are listed below.

Easter Rising

• 1916 – Battle of Dublin
• 1916 – Battle of Ashbourne

Irish War of Independence

• 1919 January 19 – Soloheadbeg Ambush
• 1920 November 2 – Battle of Ballinalee
• 1920 November 28 – Kilmichael Ambush
• 1921 February 1 – Clonfin Ambush
• 1921 February 25 – Coolavokig Ambush
• 1921 March 19 – Crossbarry Ambush

Irish Civil War

• 1922 – Battle of Dublin
• 1922 – Irish Free State offensive
• 1922 – Battle of Kilmallock

IRA Northern Campaigns

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

The Troubles

• 1969 – Battle of the Bogside
• 1970 – Falls Curfew

See also

• List of wars in Ireland
• List of Irish rebellions
• Military history of Ireland

References

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.