The History of Ireland and Celtic Identity

The Beginning of Records
  • Irish history begins post-Iron Age around 400 A.D.
  • Gaelic, a Celtic language, becomes the native language by 400 A.D.
  • Niall of the Nine Hostages is the first recorded historical figure, claiming high kingship of Ireland.
    • His descendants, the O’Neills, held power for centuries, with a political presence as late as 1969.
    • His seat of power was at the Hill of Tara in County Meath, a site for crowning high kings.
Irish Kingdoms and Language
  • Prehistoric Ireland was divided into five kingdoms.
  • The name "Eire" is the Gaelic name for Ireland ("Erin" is a derivative).
  • Niall's influence led to a transformed political landscape through his lineage, with kingdoms still existing as provinces.
St. Patrick and Early Christianity
  • St. Patrick, a British national, was captured and brought to Ireland as a slave but returned as a missionary.
    • Lived from 385 to 461, contemporary of Niall.
    • He introduced Christianity to a polytheistic Ireland, utilizing Celtic crosses in his missionary work.
  • St. Colum Cille (Columba) also contributed to Christianization from Ireland by founding a monastery on Iona.
Viking Influence (795 - 995 A.D.)
  • Vikings began raiding Ireland, first coastal areas, then moving inland for settlements.
    • Lasted two centuries, characterized as both plunderers and cultural assimilators.
    • Evidence suggests Vikings did not significantly disrupt Irish institutions; instead, they intermarried.
  • Ongoing wars among Irish kingdoms prolonged conflicts predating Viking invasions.
English Involvement and Changing Power Dynamics
  • In 1165, Diarmait Mac Murchadha sought English support from Henry II in a local war, leading to mercenary engagements.
    • Richard Fitzgilbert, known as Strongbow, conditionally allied with Leinster through marriage.
  • Henry II later arrived to assert control and make significant political appointments, formalizing English rule in Ireland.
Parliamentary Developments in Ireland
  • The Irish parliament at Dublin Castle was dominated by English members.
    • By 1297, its agenda focused on territorial rights and language issues among English settlers.
  • Statutes of Kilkenny in 1366 outlined restrictions against Irish culture, language, and practices, emphasizing English dominance.
Persistance of Anglo-Norman Influence
  • Anglo-Norman nobles often assimilated into Irish culture despite initially being considered foreign lords.
  • Political relations deteriorated, leading to escalated tensions, including Richard II's failed attempts to stabilize governance in Ireland.
Overview of Scottish History and Identity
  • The Picts: Early inhabitants labeled by Romans; less documented.
  • Scoti from Ireland invaded Scotland, integrating and forming the kingdom of Dal Riata.
    • Eventually unified into the kingdom of Alba, later known as Scotland, during the 10th century under Kenneth MacAlpin.
The Concept of the Celt
  • A Celt is described as someone from areas where Celtic languages are or were spoken, including Ireland, Scotland, and surrounding regions.
    • The connections to ancient Celtic culture remain significant even amid modern linguistic studies.
  • Efforts to revive dying Celtic languages: Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Breton, including historical context on each.
The Traditional View on Celtic Invasion
  • Traditional beliefs held that Celts invaded Ireland around 400 B.C. but recent studies suggest a more complex integration of culture and language.
    • Current theories suggest that rather than violent invasions, the process involved trade, assimilation, and gradual cultural exchange over centuries.