Irish History Tales - A Chronological History of Ireland from the years 1169 to 1923

Before Brian Boru became Ireland's most famous High King, his family had to fight its way to power.
In the first episode of our special Brian Boru bonus series, we travel back to tenth-century Ireland to explore the extraordinary rise of the Dál Cais, a dynasty from northern Munster that would challenge centuries of Eóganachta dominance.
We follow the ambitions of Brian's father, Cennétig, and the remarkable military successes of his elder brother, Mathgamain, including his victory over the Norse of Limerick at the Battle of Sulcoit in 967.
But success brings powerful enemies. When Mathgamain is betrayed and murdered in 976, Brian inherits a dangerous struggle for survival and supremacy.
From the bloody events at Scattery Island to the decisive Battle of Belach Lechta in 978, we explore how Brian avenged his brother's death and established himself as King of Munster.
Along the way, we'll uncover a world of shifting alliances, family rivalries, Norse-Gaelic politics and ruthless ambition — and discover how the foundations were laid for one of the most extraordinary rises to power in Irish history.
This is the story of the rise of the Dál Cais — and the making of Brian Boru.

In 1177, John de Courcy had stunned the Gaelic rulers of Ulster with his rapid conquest of Down. But just one year later, the Norman commander would suffer two devastating defeats.
In this episode of Irish History Tales, we return to Ulster in 1178, as de Courcy launches a series of raids into neighbouring Gaelic territories. His campaigns bring him into conflict with powerful Irish rulers determined to resist Norman expansion.
At Glenree, a combined Gaelic army inflicts heavy losses on his forces. Later that year, another disastrous encounter in County Antrim leaves de Courcy wounded, his army scattered, and the Norman commander fighting for survival.
How did the man who had conquered Down so rapidly find himself facing disaster? And why, despite these victories, were the Gaelic rulers unable to drive the Normans out of Ulster?
Join us as we explore two remarkable Gaelic victories and a year that exposed the limits of Norman power in medieval Ireland.

In 1178, Ruaidrí O'Connor, the last generally recognised Gaelic High King of Ireland, faced threats not only from the advancing Normans, but from within his own family.
In this episode of Irish History Tales, we explore the remarkable life of Ruaidrí O'Connor, from his turbulent upbringing as one of the many sons of the powerful King Toirdelbach, through rebellion, imprisonment and bitter rivalries with his brothers, to his eventual rise as King of Connacht.
But history was beginning to repeat itself. Having once rebelled against his own father, Ruaidrí now faced challenges from his sons. We revisit Murtagh O'Connor's disastrous alliance with the Norman invaders and examine the dramatic release of Conchobar Máenmaige from captivity in 1178.
Meanwhile, across the Shannon, Hugh de Lacy launched an attack on the famous monastery of Clonmacnoise, the burial place of Ruaidrí's father and a centre of Gaelic religious and political influence. Yet despite the growing instability within Connacht, Ruaidrí remained a formidable opponent.
This is a story of family rivalry, political ambition, betrayal and the struggle to preserve Gaelic kingship in an Ireland undergoing extraordinary change.
Plus: We explore a fascinating historical mystery surrounding the Annals of Tíernach, whose surviving record ends in the very year Clonmacnoise came under attack.
Follow Irish History Tales for weekly episodes tracing Ireland's history from 1166 to 1923, alongside our new fortnightly bonus episodes exploring some of the most fascinating people and events from Ireland's past.

I’m pleased to announce that Irish History Tales is expanding! Alongside the regular weekly episodes telling Ireland’s story in chronological order, I’ll be releasing bonus episodes every second Friday, exploring a wider range of people and events from Irish history.
To kick things off, the first bonus mini-series will follow the rise of Brian Boru, leading up to the Battle of Clontarf.

In November 1177, two veteran Norman commanders, Robert FitzStephen and Milo de Cogan, marched into the Kingdom of Desmond to claim the lands granted to them by King Henry II.
With the assistance of a rival member of the MacCarthy dynasty, the Normans advanced on Cork. But was the city peacefully surrendered, as Gerald of Wales claimed, or violently conquered and plundered, as the Irish annals suggest?
In this episode of Irish History Tales, we examine the Norman conquest of Cork, the displacement of its Ostman inhabitants, and the foundations of the medieval city that would emerge under Norman rule.
Meanwhile, Domnall Mór O'Brien of Thomond seized the opportunity to invade Desmond, while Philip de Braose attempted to claim his own royal grant: the Kingdom of Limerick.
As rival Gaelic kings fought one another and Norman armies pushed deeper into Munster, Dermot MacCarthy faced an increasingly desperate struggle to preserve his kingdom.
Drawing on medieval Irish chronicles, Gerald of Wales and the research of historian Henry A. Jefferies, we explore a turbulent chapter in the Norman invasion of Ireland.