Real Top 50

Palladius

First Christian bishop sent to Ireland by Pope Celestine I in 431 AD to minister to existing Christian communities.

St. Patrick

Romano-British missionary traditionally credited with converting Ireland to Christianity. Kidnapped as a youth, returned as missionary.

Christianization of Ireland

Gradual process beginning in the 5th century, overlapping with pagan belief systems. Not a sudden religious shift.

Ogham

Early medieval Irish alphabet used primarily on stone monuments. Associated with Primitive Irish.

The Pale

Region around Dublin under direct English rule in late medieval and early modern Ireland. Outside it was largely Gaelic Irish territory.

Vikings

Scandinavian raiders and settlers active in Ireland from late 8th century; established towns like Dublin, Waterford.

Longphort

Viking ship fortress or base, often temporary initially, that developed into urban centers.

Battle of Clontarf (1014)

Pivotal battle ending Viking military dominance in Ireland, led by Brian Boru.

Brehon Law

Indigenous Irish legal system based on restitution and compensation; remained in use into early modern times despite English common law imposition.

High Crosses

Large, decorated stone crosses from early Christian Ireland, often featuring biblical scenes and knotwork.

Surrender and Regrant

Tudor-era policy requiring Irish lords to submit to the Crown and receive English titles in return.

Plantations

State-sponsored settlement of Irish land by English and Scottish Protestants, particularly in Munster and Ulster.

Kildare Rebellion (1534)

Revolt by Silken Thomas against Henry VIII's rule in Ireland. Crushed, leading to increased Crown control.

Desmond Rebellions (1569–1583)

Uprisings in Munster against English rule and Protestantism. Resulted in harsh suppression and land confiscations.

Nine Years’ War (1594–1603)

Major Gaelic uprising led by Hugh O’Neill against English rule. Defeated at Battle of Kinsale.

Battle of Kinsale (1601)

Decisive battle where Gaelic forces allied with Spanish were defeated by the English.

Flight of the Earls (1607)

Departure of leading Gaelic Irish lords, marking collapse of traditional Gaelic order.

Penal Laws

Harsh laws enacted post-17th century to suppress Catholic political and economic rights in favor of Protestant rule.

1641 Rebellion

Uprising by Irish Catholics seeking redress for land losses and religious discrimination; marked by violence and used to justify Cromwellian conquest.

Ulster Plantation

Organized colonization of Ulster by Scottish and English Protestants after the Flight of the Earls; transformed landholding and demographics.

Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaeilge)

Founded 1893 to revive the Irish language and promote Irish cultural nationalism.

Douglas Hyde

First President of Ireland and founder of the Gaelic League, a key figure in Irish language revival.

Sean-nós

Traditional Irish singing: unaccompanied, free rhythm, emotionally expressive, often in Irish.

Uilleann Pipes

Traditional Irish bagpipes played with elbow bellows; central to Irish music tradition.

1792 Belfast Harp Festival

Key event for Irish music revival, led to Edward Bunting's preservation of harp tunes.

Gaeltacht

Officially designated Irish-speaking regions in Ireland that receive government support to preserve the language.

Irish English (Hiberno-English)

Dialect of English in Ireland shaped by Gaelic syntax and idioms. Features like "after perfect" and habitual "do be."

Stage Irishman

Colonial stereotype portraying Irish people as foolish or comic; common in British literature and theatre.

Turlough Carolan

Famous blind harper and composer blending Irish and Baroque styles.

Maria Edgeworth

Anglo-Irish novelist known for Castle Rackrent (1800), a satirical portrayal of landlordism and class in Ireland.

Easter Rising (1916)

Armed insurrection against British rule in Dublin; key event in Irish nationalist history; proclaimed an Irish Republic.

Proclamation of the Irish Republic

Document read outside the GPO during the Easter Rising declaring an independent Irish Republic.

British Executions (May 1916)

Execution of Rising leaders by British authorities; shifted public sympathy toward Irish nationalists.

First Dáil (1919)

Revolutionary Irish assembly declaring independence from Britain; led to War of Independence.

Black and Tans

British paramilitary forces in Ireland during War of Independence, infamous for brutality.

Flying Columns

Mobile IRA guerrilla units used during the War of Independence.

Anglo-Irish Treaty (1921)

Agreement creating the Irish Free State; ended War of Independence but caused Civil War.

Michael Collins

Irish revolutionary and Treaty signatory; assassinated during Civil War.

Éamon de Valera

Anti-Treaty leader who became major political figure, author of 1937 Constitution.

Civil War (1922–23)

Conflict between pro- and anti-Treaty forces following Irish independence.

Bunreacht na hÉireann (1937)

1937 Constitution replacing Free State constitution; emphasized Irish sovereignty, Catholic identity, and gender roles.

8th Amendment (1983–2018)

Constitutional ban on abortion giving equal right to life to mother and unborn; repealed by referendum.

Savita Halappanavar

Woman whose death in 2012 due to denied abortion sparked national outrage.

Marriage Equality Referendum (2015)

Legalized same-sex marriage in Ireland; first country to do so via popular vote.

Tuam Babies Scandal

Discovery of mass child grave at Catholic Mother & Baby Home; emblematic of Church abuses.

Panti Bliss

Drag performer and activist whose 2014 speech on homophobia became viral.

Celtic Tiger

Period of rapid Irish economic growth (1995–2007) due to investment, tech sector, low taxes.

IMF Bailout (2010)

International rescue package following Ireland’s post-2008 financial crisis.

Northern Ireland Protocol

Brexit arrangement keeping NI aligned with EU rules to avoid hard border with Republic.

Leo Varadkar

First openly gay and non-white Taoiseach; led Fine Gael through multiple coalitions.