List of conflicts in Ireland


This is a list of conflicts in Ireland, including wars, armed rebellions, battles and skirmishes. 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

YearConflictNotes
917–1014Viking wars in Ireland
1169–75Norman invasion of Ireland
1315–18Bruce campaign in IrelandPart of the First War of Scottish Independence
1333–38Burke Civil WarA conflict among the House of Burke
1534–1603Tudor conquest of IrelandIncludes Kildare Rebellion 1534, First Desmond Rebellion 1569–73, Second Desmond Rebellion 1579–83 and Nine Years' War 1594–1603
1641–53Irish Confederate WarsIncludes, Irish Rebellion of 1641 1641–42 and Cromwellian conquest of Ireland 1649–53
1689–91Williamite–Jacobite WarPart of the War of the Grand Alliance
1798Irish Rebellion of 1798
1803Irish Rebellion of 1803
1831–36Tithe War
1848Young Irelander Rebellion
1867Fenian Rising
1870–93Land War
1916Easter RisingPart of the Irish revolutionary period
1919–22Irish War of IndependencePart of the Irish revolutionary period
1922–23Irish Civil WarPart of the Irish revolutionary period
1942–44Northern CampaignIrish republican campaign against the state of Northern Ireland
1956–62Border CampaignIrish republican campaign against the state of Northern Ireland
1968–98The TroublesThe Troubles was a violent conflict in Northern Ireland between nationalists and unionists, ending with the Good Friday Agreement.
1996–PresentDissident Irish republican campaignThe Dissident Irish republican campaign is an ongoing conflict by paramilitary groups opposing the Good Friday Agreement, using violence to seek a united Ireland.

List of battles in Ireland

Prehistoric era

The Annals of the Four Masters, written in the 17th century, records a number battles as having taken place in prehistoric Ireland. These include:
Many of the battles in the 5th century feature ongoing conflicts between Laigin, a likely variation on the Kingdom of Leinster, and Aillil Molt, a king of Connacht and possible High King of Ireland. Later conflicts feature additional kingdoms including Coirpre and Dál Aráidhe. Additionally, various High Kings of Ireland appeared intermittently in the conflicts.
DateBattleDetails
459Ath Dara
468Battle of Duma AichirFirst given date for the battle of Duma Aichir , which Laigen won over Aillil Molt '. Duplicate instances of the same battle as listed in the Annals of Ulster, Chronicon Scotorum , and the Annals of Inisfallen are listed below. This specific instance is said to have been recorded in the Book of Cuanu, a lost Irish Annal.
470Battle of Duma AichirSecond given date for the battle of Duma Aichir won over Aillil Molt.
471Brí Éile ' meleeAillil Molt victory over Laigin. Alternate date recorded in the Annals of Ulster is listed below.
472Battle of Duma AichirThird given date for the battle of Duma Aichir won over Aillil Molt.
473Brí Éile meleeAlternate date for Aillil Molt victory over the Laigin.
474Battle of Duma AichirFourth given date for the battle of Duma Aichir won over Aillil Molt.
476Battle of Duma AichirFifth given date for the battle of Duma Aichir won over Aillil Molt.
478Battle of Ocha '
482Battle of Ocha 'Aillil Molt defeat. The entry in the Chronicon Scotorum reads:
Kal. i. A.D.482
Oilill Molt fell in the battle of Ocha by Muircertach Mac Erca ; and by Lughaidh, son of Laeghaire; and by Fergus Cirrbel, son of Conall Crimthainn; and by Fiachra Lonn, son of Caelboth, King of Dál Aráidhe, of which Bec Mac De said:

  1. The great battle of Ocha was fought, ''Through which many fights were contested; Over Oilill Molt, son of Dathi, It was gained by the Dál Aráidhe, By Lughaidh, by Fiachra Lonn, And by the great, puissant Muircertach, By Fergus, son of mild Conall— By them fell the noble King Ailill; And by Fergus of the blemish— By them fell the noble Ailill Molt.
485First Battle of Granard 'A victory by either Coirpre ' or Muirchertach Mac Erca over Laigin. Finnchad, King of Laigin, fell. Alternate dates are provided below.
486First Battle of Granard 'Alternate date provided by the Annals of Ulster. A victory by either Coirpre ' or Muirchertach Mac Erca over Laigin.
489Battle of Taillten '
490Battle of Cell Losnada Battle in the plains of Mag Fea "in which fell Aengus son of Nad-fraích, king of Mumu," according to the Book of Cuanu. Alternate dates are listed below.
491Battle of Taillten A victory by Coirpre over the Lagenians.
492Sleamhain in Meath
492Second Battle of Granard Coirpre victory over the Kingdom of Leinster by Eochu, son of Coirpre. Freach, son of Finnchad and King of Laigin died.
493Battle for the Body of St. Patrick
493Srath EchaillIn which "Fraech son of Finnchad, king of Laigin, fell, and Eochu, son of Cairpre, was victor." The Annals of Ulster, Annals of Tigernach, and Chronicon Scotorum identify this battle as the Second Battle of Granard.
494Battle of Taillten Date for the Battle of Taillten provided by the Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Tigernach. A victory by Coirpre over the Lagenians.
494Cenn Ailbe '
494Sleamhain of Meath Coirpre victory over Laigin. Alternate dates listed in the Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Tigernach listed below.
495Second Battle of Granard Date for the Second Battle of Granard provided by the Annals of Ulster and Annals of Tigernach. Coirpre victory over the Kingdom of Leinster by Eochu, son of Coirpre. Freach, son of Finnchad and King of Laigin died.
496Druim LochmaigheLeinster victory over Uí Neill, Annals of the Four Masters. Alternate dates are provided below.
496Battle of Cenn AilbeCoirpre victory over Leinster. Alternate dates listed below.
497Inde Mor, in Crioch Ua nGabhla
497Sleamhain of Meath Date provided in the Annals of Tigernach. Coirpre victory over Laigin.
499Seaghais Possible alternate spelling of Sleamhain
499Sleamhain of Meath Date provided in the Annals of Ulster. Coirpre victory over Laigin.
499Battle of Cenn AilbeDate provided in the Annals of Tigernach. Coirpre victory over Leinster .
  • 459 – Ath Dara
  • 468 – Battle of Duma Aichir - First given date for the battle of Duma Aichir , which Laigen won over Aillil Molt '. Subsequent instances of the same battle as listed in the Annals of Ulster, Chronicon Scotorum , and the Annals of Inisfallen are listed below. This specific instance is said to have been recorded in the Book of Cuanu, a lost Irish Annal.
  • 470 – Battle of Duma Aichir - Second given date for the battle of Duma Aichir won over Aillil Molt.
  • 471 - Brí Éile ' melee - Aillil Molt victory over Laigin. Alternate date recorded in the Annals of Ulster is listed below.
  • 472 - Battle of Duma Aichir - Third given date for the battle of Duma Aichir won over Aillil Molt.
  • 473 - Brí Éile melee - Alternate date for Aillil Molt victory over the Laigin.
  • 474 - Battle of Duma Aichir - Fourth given date for the battle of Duma Aichir won over Aillil Molt.
  • 476 - Battle of Duma Aichir - Fifth given date for the battle of Duma Aichir won over Aillil Molt.
  • 478 – Ocha
  • 482 – Battle of Ocha ' - Aillil Molt defeat. The entry in the Chronicon Scotorum reads:
Kal. i. A.D.482
Oilill Molt fell in the battle of Ocha by Muircertach Mac Erca ; and by Lughaidh, son of Laeghaire; and by Fergus Cirrbel, son of Conall Crimthainn; and by Fiachra Lonn, son of Caelboth, King of Dál Aráidhe, of which Bec Mac De said:

  1. The great battle of Ocha was fought, ''Through which many fights were contested; Over Oilill Molt, son of Dathi, It was gained by the Dál Aráidhe, By Lughaidh, by Fiachra Lonn, And by the great, puissant Muircertach, By Fergus, son of mild Conall— By them fell the noble King Ailill; And by Fergus of the blemish— By them fell the noble Ailill Molt.
  • 485 - First Battle of Granard - a victory by either Coirpre ' or Muirchertach Mac Erca over Laigin. Finnchad, King of Laigin, fell.
  • 486 - First Battle of Granard - alternate date provided by the Annals of Ulster.
  • 489 – Tailtin
  • 490 - Battle of Cell Losnada - battle in the plains of Mag Fea "in which fell Aengus son of Nad-fraích, king of Mumu," according to the Book of Cuanu. Alternate dates are listed below.
  • 491 - Battle of Taillten - a victory by Coirpre over the Lagenians.
  • 491 – Cell Losnaid
  • 492 – Sleamhain in Meath
  • 492 - Second Battle of Granard - Coirpre victory over the Kingdom of Leinster by Eochu, son of Coirpre. Freach, son of Finnchad and King of Laigin died.
  • 493 – Battle for the Body of St. Patrick
  • 493 - Srath Echaill - in which "Fraech son of Finnchad, king of Laigin, fell, and Eochu, son of Cairpre, was victor." The Annals of Ulster, Annals of Tigernach, and Chronicon Scotorum identify this battle as the Second Battle of Granard.
  • 494 - Battle of Taillten - date for the Battle of Taillten provided by the Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Tigernach.
  • 494 – Ceann Ailbhe
  • 494 - Sleamhain of Meath - Coirpre victory over Laigin. Alternate dates listed in the Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Tigernach listed below.
  • 495 - Second Battle of Granard - date for the Second Battle of Granard provided by the Annals of Ulster and Annals of Tigernach.
  • 496 – Druim Lochmaighe
  • 496 - Battle of Cenn Ailbe - Coirpre victory over Leinster. Alternate dates listed below.
  • 497 – Inde Mor, in Crioch Ua nGabhla
  • 497 - Sleamhain of Meath - date provided in the Annals of Tigernach. Coirpre victory over Laigin.
  • 499 – Seaghais
  • 499 - Sleamhain of Meath - date provided in the Annals of Ulster. Coirpre victory over Laigin.
  • 499 - Battle of Cenn Ailbe - date provided in the Annals of Tigernach. Coirpre victory over Leinster .