This is a list of conflicts in

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

, including

war War is an armed conflict between the armed forces of states, or between governmental forces and armed groups that are organized under a certain command structure and have the capacity to sustain military operations, or between such organi ...

s, armed

rebellion Rebellion is an uprising that resists and is organized against one's government. A rebel is a person who engages in a rebellion. A rebel group is a consciously coordinated group that seeks to gain political control over an entire state or a ...

battle A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force co ...

s and

skirmish Skirmishers are light infantry or light cavalry soldiers deployed as a vanguard, flank guard or rearguard to Screening (tactical), screen a tactical position or a larger body of friendly troops from enemy advances. They may be deployed in a sk ...

es. 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

List of battles in Ireland

Prehistoric era

The ''

Annals of the Four Masters The ''Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland'' () or the ''Annals of the Four Masters'' () are chronicles of Middle Ages, medieval Irish history. The entries span from the Genesis flood narrative, Deluge, dated as 2,242 Anno Mundi, years after crea ...

'', written in the 17th century, records a number battles as having taken place in prehistoric Ireland. These include: *2530 AM (''

Anno Mundi (from Latin 'in the year of the world'; ), abbreviated as AM or A.M., or Year After Creation, is a calendar era based on biblical accounts of the creation of the world and subsequent history. Two such calendar eras of notable use are: * Sin ...

'') – 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 The terms (AD) and before Christ (BC) are used when designating years in the Gregorian calendar, Gregorian and Julian calendar, Julian calendars. The term is Medieval Latin and means "in the year of the Lord" but is often presented using "o ...

'') – Battle at the hill of

Achall Achall, daughter of Cairbre Nia Fer, king of Tara, and his wife Fedelm Noíchrothach, is a minor character from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. After her brother Erc was killed by Conall Cernach, she died of grief on a hill near Tara, w ...

(

Túathal Techtmar Túathal Techtmar (; 'the legitimate'), son of Fíachu Finnolach, was a High King of Ireland, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition. He is said to be the ancestor of the Uí Néill and Connachta dynasties through his grand ...

defeats

Elim mac Conrach Elim, son of Conrai, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. The ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'' says he overthrew the previous High King Fíachu Finnolach in an uprising of ''aithech-tuatha'' or "subje ...

) *195 AD –

Battle of Maigh Mucruimhe The ''Cath Maige Mucrama'' (in English the Battle of Mag Mucrama) is an early Middle Irish language tale which forms part of the Cycles of the Kings. Content The cast includes several major figures from Irish pseudo-history, Ailill Aulom, his so ...

*226 AD – Crinna, in

Brega Brega , also known as ''Mersa Brega'' or ''Marsa al-Brega'' ( , i.e. "Brega Seaport"), is a complex of several smaller towns, industry installations and education establishments situated in Libya on the Gulf of Sidra, the most southerly point of ...

*283 AD –

Cath Gabhra ''Cath Gabhra'' ( English: ''The Battle of Gabhair'' or ''Gowra'') is a narrative of the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. It tells of the destruction of the fianna and the deaths of most of its warriors in a battle against the forces of High K ...

(the Battle of Gowra) *331 AD – Battle of Achadh Leith-dheirg

5th century

*459 – Ath Dara *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 County Meath ( ; or simply , ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. It is bordered by County Dublin to the southeast, County ...

*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

*506 – Luachair *507 – Druim Deargaighe *528 – Luachair *531 – Claenloch *537 – Sligeach *544 – Cuil Conaire *546 – Cuilne *556 – Cuil Uinnsenn *560 –

Battle of Cúl Dreimhne The battle of Cúl Dreimhne (also known as the ''Battle of the Book'') took place in the 6th century in the túath of Cairbre Drom Cliabh (now County Sligo) in northwest Ireland. The exact date for the battle varies from 555 AD to 561 AD. 560 AD ...

('Battle of the Book') *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 The Battle of Moira, also known as the Battle of Magh Rath, was fought in the summer of 637 by the High King of Ireland, Domnall II, against his foster son Congal Cáech, King of Ulaid, supported by his ally Domnall Brecc, King of Dál Riata. ...

*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 *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 The Battle of Strangford Lough was fought in 877 between two groups of rival Vikings described by the Irish Annals as the "fair heathens" and the "dark heathens". The ''Annals of Ulster'' describe "Albann", a figure usually identified with Half ...

10th century

*908 – Battle of Bellaghmoon *917 – Battle of Confey *919 – Battle of Islandbridge *967/8 –

Battle of Sulcoit The Battle of Sulcoit was fought in the year 968 between the Irish of the Dál gCais, led by Brian Boru, and the Norse of Limerick, led by Ivar of Limerick. It was a victory for the Dál gCais and marked the end of Norse expansion in Ireland ...

*967/8 – Burning of Luimnech *977/8 –

Battle of Cathair Cuan The Battle of Cathair Cuan refers to a perhaps extended conflict fought in or between 977 and 978, or simply to a single battle in one or the other year, in Munster in Ireland. Attacking were Brian Bóruma and the Dál gCais, while defending we ...

*978 –

Battle of Belach Lechta The Battle of Belach Lechta or Bealach Leachta was a major battle fought in Munster in 978 between Máel Muad mac Brain, King of Munster, and Brian Bóruma. In the battle, the king was killed and Bóruma took over the role as the ''de facto'' ...

*980 – Battle of Tara *994 – Sack of Domhnach Padraig *994 – Sack of Aenach Thete *999 –

Battle of Glenmama The Battle of Glenn Máma or Glenmama (, The Battle of "The Glen of the Gap") took place most probably near Lyons Hill in Ardclough, County Kildare, Ireland, in AD 999The Battle of Glenn Mama, Dublin and the High Kingship of Ireland: a Mille ...

11th century

*1014 –

Battle of Clontarf The Battle of Clontarf () took place on 23 April 1014 at Clontarf, near Dublin, on the east coast of Ireland. It pitted an army led by Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, against a Norse- Irish alliance comprising the forces of Sigtrygg Silkbea ...

*1086 – Breach of Crinach *1087 – Conachail, in

Corann Corann was an ancient Irish túath in northwest Connacht represented now by the present barony of Corran in County Sligo. The name is derived in legend from Corann, the harper of Dian Cecht of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Organisation Ballymote becam ...

*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 *1132 – Siege of Dún Béal Gallimhe *1149 – Siege of Dún Béal Gallimhe *1151 –

Battle of Móin Mhór The Battle of Móin Mhór was fought in 1151 between the kingdoms of Leinster and Thomond in Ireland. The Kingdom of Leinster was victorious. Background The entire Province of Munster was under the control of the O'Brien (Ua Briain) clan unde ...

*1169/05 – Beginning of the

Norman invasion of Ireland The Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland took place during the late 12th century, when Anglo-Normans gradually conquered and acquired large swathes of land in Ireland over which the monarchs of England then claimed sovereignty. The Anglo-Normans ...

*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 Waterford ( ) is a City status in Ireland, city in County Waterford in the South-East Region, Ireland, south-east of Ireland. It is located within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster. The city is situated at the head of Waterford H ...

– Norman victory over a combined Irish-Norse force *1170/09 – Sack of

Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...

– 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 The Battle of Thurles took place in October 1174 near Thurles in County Tipperary, and was a significant engagement of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. The forces of an alliance of Irish led by the High King Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair defeated ...

– 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 The Battle of the Curragh () was fought on 1 April 1234 on the Curragh plain in County Kildare, Ireland. The adversaries were men loyal to King Henry III of England on one side, and on the other side Richard Marshal, Earl of Pembroke and Lord of ...

*1235 – Siege of Dún Béal Gallimhe *1247 – Battle of Ballyshannon *1247 – Siege of Dún Béal Gallimhe *1249 –

First Battle of Athenry The First Battle of Athenry was fought on 15 August 1249 at Athenry () in modern County Galway, Ireland. The Gaelic forces of Connacht besieged the town but were repelled by the Normans under Jordan de Exeter, Sheriff of Connacht. Áth na R ...

*1256 –

Battle of Magh Slecht The Battle of Magh Slécht took place at Magh Slécht in Ireland in 1256. The battle was part of a wider conflict between the O'Rourke rulers of Breifne and their traditional O'Reilly vassals over control of the kingdom. Both sides were assis ...

*1257 – Battle of Creadran Cille *1257 – Sack of Sligo *1260 –

Battle of Druim Dearg The Battle of Down, also known as the battle of Drumderg ( Irish: ''Druim Dearg'') took place on or about 14 May 1260 near Downpatrick, in modern-day County Down, Northern Ireland. A Gaelic alliance led by Brian O'Neill (High-King of Ireland) and ...

*1261 –

Battle of Callann The Battle of Callann was fought in August 1261 between the Hiberno-Normans, under John FitzGerald, and three Gaelic clans: MacCarthy, who held the Kingdom of Desmond, under Fínghin Mac Carthaigh, King of Desmond, ancestor of the MacCar ...

*1270 –

Battle of Áth-an-Chip A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...

14th century

Bruce Campaign

*1315 – Battle of Carrickfergus *1315 – Battle of Moiry Pass (June) *1315 – First battle of Dundalk (June) *1315 –

Battle of Connor The Battle of Connor was fought on 10 September 1315, in the townland of Tannybrake just over a mile north of what is now the modern village of Connor, County Antrim. It was part of the Bruce campaign in Ireland. Background Edward Bruce lan ...

(September) *1315 – Second battle of Dundalk (November) *1315 – Battle of Kells (December) *1316 –

Battle of Skerries The Battle of Skerries, also named the Battle of Ardscull, took place during the Bruce campaign in Ireland – part of the First War of Scottish Independence – fought on 26 January 1316, resulting in a Scottish victory. It was part of t ...

(January) *1316 –

Second Battle of Athenry The Second Battle of Athenry ( ) took place at Athenry () in Ireland on 10 August 1316 during the Bruce campaign in Ireland. Overview The collective number of both armies are unknown, and can only be estimated. Martyn believes the royal arm ...

(August) *1317 –

Battle of Lough Raska The Battle of Lough Raska () or Battle of Corcomroe () took place on 15 August 1317 near Corcomroe Abbey in north County Clare, Ireland. It was part of a fight for control of the Uí Briain chieftaincy and part of the Anglo-Norman wars in Ir ...

(August) *1318 –

Battle of Dysert O'Dea The Battle of Dysert O'Dea took place on 10 May 1318 at Dysert O'Dea near Corofin, Ireland. It was part of the Bruce campaign in Ireland. The Norman Richard de Clare attacked the Gaelic Irish chieftain Conchobhar ÓDeághaidh, chief of the ...

(May) *1318 –

Battle of Faughart The Battle of Faughart (or Battle of Dundalk) was fought on 14 October 1318 between an Anglo-Irish force led by John de Bermingham (later created 1st Earl of Louth) and Edmund Butler, Earl of Carrick, and a Scottish and Irish army command ...

(October) ---- *1328 – Battle of Thomond *1329 –

Braganstown massacre The Braganstown massacre took place on 9 June, 1329 in Braganstown, modern County Louth, Ireland. A mob of angry tenants attacked and killed the local lord, John de Bermingham, and around 160 of his relatives and followers. Background Born ...

*1329 – Battle of Ardnocher *1330 –

Battle of Fiodh-an-Átha The Battle of Fiodh an Átha was fought in 1327 according to the Annals of Ulster or, less likely, 1330 according to the Annals of the Four Masters, at what is now Finnea, County Westmeath, Ireland. The Annals of Ulster for 1327 state: "A host ...

*1333–1338 –

Burke Civil War The Burke/de Burgh Civil War was a conflict in Ireland from 1333 to 1338 between three leading members of the de Burgh (Burke/ Bourke) Anglo-Norman family resulting in the division into three clans. Background Twenty-year-old William Donn de ...

*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 Tirhugh (; ) is a barony in County Donegal, Ireland. Baronies were mainly cadastral rather than administrative units. They acquired modest local taxation and spending functions in the 19th century before being superseded by the Local Government ...

*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 The Battle of Tochar Cruacháin Brí Eile or Cruachán Brí Eile took place in 1385 near what is now the village of Croghan in County Offaly, Ireland. The battle pitted the Gaelic forces of Uí Failghe, led by Murchadh Ó Conchobhair, against t ...

– 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 Battle of Tragh-Bhaile was fought in Ireland in 1399 between the forces of Henry O'Neill's sons and the Anglo-Irish. The Anglo-Irish were victorious. The O'Neill forces, led by Donal MacHenry of Tyrone, attacked the King's troops at Tragh-B ...

– 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 The Wars of the Roses, known at the time and in following centuries as the Civil Wars, were a series of armed confrontations, machinations, battles and campaigns fought over control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487. The conflict was fo ...

. *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 The city of Waterford in southeastern Ireland was besieged twice during 1649 and 1650 during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. The town was held by Irish Confederate Ireland, Confederate Catholic under Richard O'Farrell (Irish Confedera ...

*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 A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force c ...

– 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. *1534 – Siege of

Dublin Castle Dublin Castle () is a major Government of Ireland, Irish government complex, conference centre, and tourist attraction. It is located off Dame Street in central Dublin. It is a former motte-and-bailey castle and was chosen for its position at ...

by 'Silken' Thomas Fitzgerald in Kildare *1535 – Siege of

Maynooth Castle Maynooth Castle is a ruined castle in Maynooth, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland, Ireland which stands at the entrance to the South Campus of Maynooth University. Constructed in the early 13th century, it became the primary residence of the K ...

, the chief residence of Fitzgerald, by English forces *1539 – Battle of Bellahoe Ford – A force led by

Leonard Grey Leonard Grey, Lord Deputy of Ireland (1479/149228 July 1541), known as Lord Leonard Grey prior to 1536, served as Lord Deputy of Ireland from 1536 to 1540. Family Leonard Grey was a younger son of Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset and Cecily ...

routs an O'Donnell/O'Neill force *1559 –

Battle of Spancel Hill The Battle of Spancel Hill took place in 1559 in County Clare, Ireland close to modern Kilraghtis when a force led by Sir Donnell O'Brien defeated his rival for leadership of the O'Briens Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond and his ally Rich ...

, a conflict over the O'Brien succession *1565 –

Battle of Glentasie The Battle of Glentaisie, was an Irish battle fought in the north of Ulster on 2 May 1565. The result was a victory for Shane O'Neill over the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. The conflict was a part of the political and military struggle, involvi ...

– Shane O'Neill defeats the MacDonnells of Clan Iain Mor *1565 –

Battle of Affane The Battle of Affane ( Irish: ''Cath Áth Mheáin'') was fought in County Waterford, in south-eastern Ireland, in 1565, between the forces of the Fitzgerald Earl of Desmond and the Butler Earl of Ormond. The battle ended in the rout of the Des ...

– Fitzgeralds of Desmond defeated by Butlers of Ormond *1567 – Battle of Farsetmore – Shane O'Neill defeated by O'Donnell clan *1570 – Battle of Shrule *1575 –

Rathlin Island Massacre The Rathlin Island massacre took place on Rathlin Island, off the coast of Ireland on 26 July 1575, when more than 600 Scots and Irish were killed. Sanctuary attacked Rathlin Island was used as a sanctuary because of its natural defences a ...

*1583 –

Battle of Aura The Battle of Aura (Battle of Slieve-na-Aura), was fought in the middle of the sixteenth century between the MacDonnells, led by Sorley Boy MacDonnell, against the Clan McQuillan, McQuillans and O'Neill dynasty, O'Neills, in which the MacQuilla ...

– McQuillans, MacDonnells and O'Neills fight for control of Dunluce Castle *1586 –

Battle of Ardnaree The Battle of Ardnaree took place during the Tudor conquest of Ireland at Ardnaree (now a suburb of Ballina, County MayoIn 1586, Ardnaree was in County Sligo. The River Moy was the county boundary from the shiring of Connacht in 1585 until the Loc ...

– Mercenary Scots entering Connacht are surprised and destroyed by Bingham's army *1590 –

Battle of Doire Leathan A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force c ...

– part of the O'Donnell Succession dispute

Mac an Iarla War

c. 1570–1583, between the sons of

Richard Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde Richard Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde ( ; died 24 July 1582), styled Lord Dunkellin ( ) until 1544, was an Irish noble who succeeded his father Ulick na gCeann Burke, 1st Earl of Clanricarde as chief of a Gaelicised Norman family with autho ...

Desmond Rebellions

First Desmond Rebellion (1569–1573) *1569 – Siege of Kilkenny *1569 – First Battle of Killamock *1571 – Second Battle of Kilmallock

Second Desmond Rebellion The Second Desmond Rebellion (1579–1583) was the more widespread and bloody of the two Desmond Rebellions in Ireland launched by the FitzGerald Dynasty of County Desmond, Desmond in Munster against English rule. The second rebellion began in ...

(1579–1583) *1579 – Aenachbeg *1579 –

Sack of Youghal The sack of Youghal was the capture of the Kingdom of England, English-held town of Youghal by Irish rebel forces under the command of the Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond, Gerald FitzGerald, the 14th Earl of Desmond on 13 November 1579 a ...

*1579 – Sack of Kinsale *1580 –

Battle of Glenmalure The Battle of Glenmalure () took place in Ireland on 25 August 1580 during the Desmond Rebellions. A Catholic army of united Irish clans from the Wicklow Mountains led by Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne and James Eustace, 3rd Viscount Baltinglass of the ...

*1580 –

Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle The siege of Carrigafoyle Castle took place on Easter in 1580 near modern-day Ballylongford, County Kerry, Ireland, on the southern bank of the Shannon estuary. The engagement was part of the English crown's campaign against the forces of Geral ...

*1580 –

Siege of Smerwick The siege of Smerwick took place at Ard na Caithne (the Hill of the Arbutus Tree, known in English as Smerwick) in November 1580, during the Second Desmond Rebellion in Ireland. A force of between 400 and 700 Papal freelance soldiers, mostly ...

*1582 – Allhallowtide

Spanish Armada

*1588 – Crown mobilisation to capture survivors

Nine Years' War

17th century

O'Doherty's Rebellion

*1608-

Burning of Derry The Burning of Derry took place on 19 April 1608 during O'Doherty's Rebellion when Sir Cahir O'Doherty led a force of rebels to storm Derry in Ulster. He launched his rebellion with an attack on the garrison town of Derry, which was taken tha ...

*1608-

Battle of Kilmacrennan The Battle of Kilmacrennan was a skirmish fought near Kilmacrennan, County Donegal in 1608 during O'Doherty's Rebellion. Sir Cahir O'Doherty was a traditional supporter of the Crown whose treatment at the hands of local officials had led him to ...

: Ends

Cahir O'Doherty Sir Cahir O'Doherty ( or ; 1587 – 5 July 1608) was the last Gaelic Irish chief of the O'Doherty clan, who in 1608 launched a failed rebellion against the English crown. O'Doherty was the eldest son of clan chief John O'Doherty, ruler of ...

's brief rebellion. *1608- Siege of Tory Island

Barbary Slave Trade

*1631-

Sack of Baltimore The sack of Baltimore took place on 20 June 1631, when the village of Baltimore in West Cork, Ireland, was attacked by pirates from the Barbary Coast of North Africa – the raiders included Dutchmen, Algerians, and Ottoman Turks. The attack w ...

Irish Confederate Wars

Williamite War

18th century

*1760 – Battle of Carrickfergus – Carrickfergus seized by the French for five days. *1795 –

Battle of the Diamond The Battle of the Diamond was a planned confrontation between the Catholic Defenders and the Protestant Peep o' Day Boys that took place on 21 September 1795 near Loughgall, County Armagh, Ireland. The Peep o' Day Boys were the victors, killi ...

– a sectarian faction fight in

County Armagh County Armagh ( ) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland and one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland. It is located in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Ulster and adjoins the southern shore of Lough Neagh. It borders t ...

, that led to the founding of the

Orange Order The Loyal Orange Institution, commonly known as the Orange Order, is an international Protestant fraternal order based in Northern Ireland and primarily associated with Ulster Protestants. It also has lodges in England, Grand Orange Lodge of ...

United Irishmen Rebellion

*24 May – Ballymore-Eustace,

Naas Naas ( ; or ) is the county town of County Kildare in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. In 2022, it had a population of 26,180, making it the largest town in County Kildare (ahead of Newbridge, County Kildare, Newbridge) and the List of urban ar ...

, Prosperous,

Kilcullen Kilcullen (), formally Kilcullen Bridge, is a small town on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Its population of 3,815 at the 2022 census of Ireland, 2022 census made it the 13th largest settlement in County Kilda ...

*25 May –

Carlow Carlow ( ; ) is the county town of County Carlow, in the south-east of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, from Dublin. At the 2022 census of Ireland, 2022 census, it had a population of 27,351, the List of urban areas in the Republic of Ireland, ...

*26 May – Tara Hill *27 May – Oulart Hill *28 May –

Enniscorthy Enniscorthy () is the second-largest town in County Wexford, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The town is located on the picturesque River Slaney and in close proximity to the Blackstairs Mountains and Ireland's longest beach, Curracloe. The Plac ...

*30 May – Three Rocks *1 June –

Bunclody Bunclody (), formerly Newtownbarry (until 1950), is a small town on the River Slaney in Wexford, Ireland. It is located near the foot of Mount Leinster. Most of the town is in County Wexford; a small area at the north end of town is in Count ...

*4 June – Tuberneering *5 June –

New Ross New Ross (, formerly ) is a town in southwest County Wexford, Republic of Ireland, Ireland, on the River Barrow on the border with County Kilkenny, northeast of Waterford. In 2022, it had a population of 8,610, making it the fourth-largest t ...

*7 June – Antrim *9 June –

Saintfield Saintfield () is a village and Civil parishes in Ireland, civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is about halfway between Belfast and Downpatrick on the A7 road (Northern Ireland), A7 road. It had a population of 3,588 in the 2021 Unite ...

*9 June –

Arklow Arklow ( ; ; ) is a town in County Wicklow on the southeast coast of Ireland. The town is overlooked by Ballymoyle Hill. It was founded by the Vikings in the ninth century. Arklow was the site of one of the Battle of Arklow, bloodiest battles ...

*13 June – Ballinahinch *19 June – Ovidstown *20 June – Foulksmills *21 June –

Vinegar Hill Vinegar () is an aqueous solution of diluted acetic acid and trace compounds that may include flavorings. Vinegar typically contains from 5% to 18% acetic acid by volume. Usually, the acetic acid is produced by a double fermentation, converting ...

*30 June – Ballyellis *27 August –

Castlebar Castlebar () is the county town of County Mayo, Ireland. Developing around a 13th-century castle of the de Barry family, from which the town got its name, the town now acts as a social and economic focal point for the surrounding hinterland. Wi ...

*5 September –

Collooney Collooney or Coloony () is a town in County Sligo, Ireland. Toponymy Collooney is thought to derive from . Reverend Terrence O'Rorke has previously also suggested ''Culmaine'', as Collooney is designated this way in such works as the ''Annal ...

*7 September –

Ballinamuck Ballinamuck () is a village in the north of County Longford in the Midlands of Ireland. It is around 15 km north of Longford Town. It was the scene of the Battle of Ballinamuck, where a combined Franco-Irish army aiding the United Irishmen rebe ...

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 Joseph Holt (January 6, 1807 – August 1, 1894) was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician. As a leading member of the James Buchanan#Administration and Cabinet, Buchanan administration, he succeeded in convincing Buchanan to oppose the ...

*23 July 1803 –

Robert Emmet Robert Emmet (4 March 177820 September 1803) was an Irish Republican, orator and rebel leader. Following the suppression of the United Irish uprising in 1798, he sought to organise a renewed attempt to overthrow the British Crown and Prote ...

*1798 -1803 –

Michael Dwyer Michael Dwyer (1 January 1772– 23 August 1825) was an insurgent captain in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, leading the United Irish forces in battles in Wexford and Wicklow. Following the defeat and dispersal of the rebel hosts, in July 1798 ...

*1798 – 1804 – James Corcoran

19th century

*1803 –

Irish rebellion of 1803 The Irish rebellion of 1803 was an attempt by Irish Republicanism, Irish republicans to seize the seat of the British government in Ireland, Dublin Castle, and trigger a nationwide insurrection. Renewing the Irish Rebellion of 1798, struggle o ...

: failed republican uprising led by

. *1831–1836 –

Tithe War The Tithe War () was a campaign of mainly nonviolent civil disobedience, punctuated by sporadic violent episodes, in Ireland between 1830 and 1836 in reaction to the enforcement of tithes on the Roman Catholic majority for the upkeep of the est ...

: a period of rural insurgency over the payment of tithes to the

Church of Ireland The Church of Ireland (, ; , ) is a Christian church in Ireland, and an autonomy, autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. It is organised on an all-Ireland basis and is the Christianity in Ireland, second-largest Christian church on the ...

by non-members. *1848 –

Young Ireland rebellion The Young Irelander Rebellion was a failed Irish nationalist uprising led by the Young Ireland movement, part of the wider Revolutions of 1848 that affected most of Europe. It took place on 29 July 1848 at Farranrory, a small settlement about 4 ...

: failed Irish nationalist uprising by the

Young Ireland Young Ireland (, ) was a political movement, political and cultural movement, cultural movement in the 1840s committed to an all-Ireland struggle for independence and democratic reform. Grouped around the Dublin weekly ''The Nation (Irish news ...

group. *1867 –

Fenian Rising The Fenian Rising of 1867 (, ) was a rebellion against British rule in Ireland, organised by the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). After the suppression of the ''Irish People'' newspaper in September 1865, disaffection among Irish radical n ...

: an abortive attempt at a nationwide rebellion by the

Irish Republican Brotherhood The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB; ) was a secret oath-bound fraternal organisation dedicated to the establishment of an "independent democratic republic" in Ireland between 1858 and 1924.McGee, p. 15. Its counterpart in the United States ...

. *1879–1882 –

Land War The Land War () was a period of agrarian agitation in rural History of Ireland (1801–1923), Ireland (then wholly part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom) that began in 1879. It may refer specifically to the firs ...

: A period of agitation in rural Ireland led by The

Irish National Land League The Irish National Land League ( Irish: ''Conradh na Talún''), also known as the Land League, was an Irish political organisation of the late 19th century which organised tenant farmers in their resistance to exactions of landowners. Its prima ...

, the main aims of the war were to get

Free sale, fixity of tenure, and fair rent Free sale, fixity of tenure, and fair rent, also known as the Three Fs, were a set of demands first issued by the Tenant Right League during their campaign for land reform in Ireland starting in the 1850s. They were: * Free sale—meaning a ten ...

for the tenant farmers.

20th century

Irish revolutionary period

Only the major engagements of this period are listed below. *1916 –

Easter Rising The Easter Rising (), also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916. The Rising was launched by Irish republicans against British rule in Ireland with the aim of establishing an ind ...

;Irish War of Independence *1919 January 19 – Soloheadbeg Ambush *1920 October 22 -

Tooreen ambush The Tooreen ambush (also known as the Toureen ambush or Ballinhassig ambush) was an ambush carried out by the Irish Republican Army (1919–1922), Irish Republican Army (IRA) on 22 October 1920, during the Irish War of Independence. It took p ...

*1920 November 4 – Battle of Ballinalee *1920 November 28 –

Kilmichael Ambush The Kilmichael ambush () was an attack carried out on 28 November 1920 by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) near the village of Kilmichael, County Cork, during the Irish War of Independence. Thirty-six local IRA volunteers commanded by Tom Barr ...

*1921 February 1 – Clonfin Ambush *1921 February 3 - Dromkeen ambush *1921 February 20 -

Clonmult ambush The Clonmult ambush took place on 20 February 1921, during the Irish War of Independence. Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteers occupying a remote, disused farmhouse near Clonmult, County Cork were surrounded by a force of British Army, Royal ...

*1921 February 25 –

Coolavokig Ambush The Coolavokig ambush () was carried out by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on 25 February 1921, during the Irish War of Independence. It took place at Coolavokig, on the road between Macroom and Ballyvourney, County Cork. A 60-man flying colum ...

*1921 March 11 - Selton Hill ambush *1921 March 19 –

Crossbarry Ambush The Crossbarry ambush, also known as the Battle of Crossbarry, occurred on 19 March 1921 and was one of the largest engagements of the Irish War of Independence. It took place near the small village of Crossbarry in County Cork, about 20 ...

*1921 March 21 -

Headford Ambush The Headford Ambush was carried out by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on 21 March 1921, during the Irish War of Independence. The IRA's 2nd Kerry Brigade ambushed a train carrying British troops of the Royal Fusiliers at Headford Junction ra ...

*1921 March 23 - Scramoge ambush *1921 May 19 - Kilmeena ambush *1921 May 25 -

Burning of the Custom House On 25 May 1921, during the Irish War of Independence, the Custom House in Dublin was occupied and then burnt in an operation by the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The Custom House was the headquarters of the Local Government Board for Ireland, an ...

*1921 June 2 - Carrowkennedy ambush ;Irish Civil War *1922 –

Battle of Dublin The Battle of Dublin was a week of street battles in Dublin from 28 June to 5 July 1922 that marked the beginning of the Irish Civil War. Six months after the Anglo-Irish Treaty ended the recent Irish War of Independence, it was fought betwee ...

*1922 –

Irish Free State offensive The Irish Free State offensive of July–September 1922 was the decisive military stroke of the Irish Civil War. It was carried out by the National Army (Ireland), National Army of the newly created Irish Free State against Irish Republican Arm ...

*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 First most commonly refers to: * First, the ordinal form of the number 1 First or 1st may also refer to: Acronyms * Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty-Centimeters, an astronomical survey carried out by the Very Large Array * Far Infrared a ...

guerrilla campaign by the

Irish Republican Army (1922–1969) The Irish Republican Army (IRA) of 1922–1969 was a sub-group of the original pre-1922 Irish Republican Army (1919–1922), Irish Republican Army, characterised as the Anti-Treaty IRA for its opposition to the Anglo-Irish Treaty. It existed in ...

*1956–1962 –

Second The second (symbol: s) is a unit of time derived from the division of the day first into 24 hours, then to 60 minutes, and finally to 60 seconds each (24 × 60 × 60 = 86400). The current and formal definition in the International System of U ...

guerrilla campaign by the

The Troubles

*1969 –

Battle of the Bogside The Battle of the Bogside was a large three-day riot that took place from 12 to 14 August 1969 in Derry, Northern Ireland. Thousands of Catholic/Irish nationalist residents of the Bogside district, organised under the Derry Citizens' Defence ...

*1970 –

Falls Curfew The Falls Curfew, also called the Battle of the Falls (or Lower Falls), was a British Army operation during 3–5 July 1970 in the Falls district of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The operation began as a search for weapons in the staunchly Irish ...

*1971 -

Operation Demetrius Operation Demetrius was a British Army operation in Northern Ireland on 9–10 August 1971, during the Troubles. It involved the mass arrest and internment (imprisonment without trial) of people suspected of being involved with the Provisiona ...

*1972 -

Bloody Sunday Bloody Sunday may refer to: Historical events Canada * Bloody Sunday (1923), a day of police violence during a steelworkers' strike for union recognition in Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia * Bloody Sunday (1938), police violence agai ...

*1972 -

Battle at Springmartin The Battle at Springmartin was a series of gun battles in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 13–14 May 1972, as part of The Troubles. It involved the British Army, the Provisional Irish Republican Army, the Official Irish Republican Army, and the U ...

*1972 - Battle of Lenadoon *1972 -

Operation Motorman Operation Motorman was a large operation carried out by the British Army ( HQ Northern Ireland) in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The operation took place in the early hours of 31 July 1972 with the aim of retaking the "no-go areas" (ar ...

*1972 - Springhill Massacre *1972 - Bloody Friday *1974 - Attack on UDR Clogher barracks *1975 - Drummuckavall ambush *1978 - Jonesboro Army Gazelle downing *1979 -

Warrenpoint ambush The Warrenpoint ambush, also known as the Narrow Water ambush, the Warrenpoint massacre or the Narrow Water massacre, was a guerrilla attack by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (Provisional IRA) on 27 August 1979. The Provisional IRA's So ...

*1984 -

Kesh ambush On 2 December 1984, a four-man Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) active service unit was ambushed by a British Army Special Air Service team while attempting to bomb a Royal Ulster Constabulary patrol who they had lured to Drumrush Lodg ...

*1985 - Strabane ambush *1985 - Newry mortar attack *1987 -

Loughgall ambush The Loughgall ambush took place on 8 May 1987 in the village of Loughgall, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. An eight-man unit of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) launched an attack on the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) base in the vi ...

*1988 -

Ballygawley bus bombing The Ballygawley bus bombing was a roadside bomb attack by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) on a bus carrying British soldiers in Northern Ireland. It occurred in the early hours of 20 August 1988 in the townland of Curr near Ballyga ...

*1989 -

Attack on Derryard checkpoint On 13 December 1989 the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) attacked a British Army permanent vehicle checkpoint complex manned by the King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) near the Northern Ireland–Republic of Ireland border at Derryar ...

*1990 - Derrygorry Army Gazelle downing *1990 -

Operation Conservation Operation Conservation was an attempt by the British Army to ambush a large Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit along the Dorsey, County Armagh, Dorsey Enclosure, between Cullyhanna and Silverbridge, in south County Armagh. The action ...

*1991 - Mullacreevie ambush *1991 -

Glenanne barracks bombing The Glenanne barracks bombing was a large truck bomb attack carried out by the Provisional IRA against a British Army (Ulster Defence Regiment) base at Glenanne, near Mountnorris, County Armagh. The driverless lorry was rolled down a hill at t ...

*1991 -

Coagh ambush The Coagh ambush was a military confrontation that took place in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, on 3 June 1991, during The Troubles, when a Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) active service unit from its East Tyrone Brigade was ambushe ...

*1991 - Cappagh killings *1992 -

Clonoe ambush The Clonoe Ambush was a military action between the British Army and the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) that occurred during The Troubles in Northern Ireland. On 16 February 1992, an IRA unit which had attacked the Royal Ulster Consta ...

*1992 - Attack on Cloghoge checkpoint *1992 - Coalisland riots *1992 - South Armagh sniper campaign *1993 -

Battle of Newry Road The Battle of Newry Road was a running gun battle between British Army helicopters and Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) armed trucks, fought along the lanes east of Crossmaglen, County Armagh, on 23 September 1993. The engagement began ...

*1994 - Crossmaglen Army Lynx downing *1994 - 1994 Shankill Road killings *1997 - July riots

Dissident Irish Republican Campaign

* 1999-

Stamullen Stamullen () is a village in County Meath, Ireland on the border with County Dublin. It lies just off the M1 motorway 32 km north of Dublin city centre and beside the Delvin River. In the late 1990s and early 21st century, it expanded sig ...

raid

References

Notes

Sources

* *

External links

CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts
a
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. {{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Irish Battles Irish

Battles A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force c ...

Conflicts