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A Bare Bones History of Ireland Chap 1

Ireland – after the Battle of Clontarf 1014

With the Viking invaders now well assimilated into Irish society and – arising from the
victory at Clontarf - the balance of power restored to the old chieftain families, Ireland
settled into a period of relative peace that would last for over 200 years.

Its population at this stage of history was a mixture of Celts and Vikings. Most Irish
people spoke the Gaelic language and followed Gaelic laws. Trade was largely controlled
by the five Viking ports.

Kings
Celtic society was quite complicated. As illustrated in the map below, Ireland was
divided into about eight main territories or kingdoms, each ruled by its own King.

Munster, Leinster, Connaught, Meath, Brefni, Oriel, North, Uladh

Each of these was further divided into sub-kingdoms each with its own ruler, e.g.
Desmond and Thomand in Munster. All were subject to one High King.

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