Lordship History Across Ireland
Explore the rich history of lordship across Ireland, from the ancient High Kings of Tara to the Anglo-Norman lords and the great Gaelic chieftains. Each Irish city carries centuries of noble heritage.
Lord of Dublin
Dublin's lordship history begins with the Vikings, who founded the city as a trading settlement called Dubh Linn ('black pool') in 841 AD. The Norse kings of Du...
Explore historyLord of Cork
Cork's lordship history begins with St Finbarre, who founded a monastery here in the 7th century, giving the settlement its start. The city grew around the mars...
Explore historyLord of Galway
Galway's lordship history is unique in Ireland because the city was effectively governed by 14 merchant families known as the 'Tribes of Galway.' These families...
Explore historyLord of Belfast
Belfast's lordship history is relatively young compared to other Irish cities, but no less dramatic. The city owes its modern existence to Sir Arthur Chichester...
Explore historyLord of Limerick
Limerick was founded by Vikings in 922 AD, and the Norse rulers of Limerick were among the most powerful in Ireland. The city occupies a strategic position at t...
Explore historyLord of Waterford
Waterford is Ireland's oldest city, founded by Vikings in 914 AD as Vadrarfjord. The Norse rulers of Waterford built Reginald's Tower, which still stands and is...
Explore historyLord of Kilkenny
Kilkenny was effectively the capital of Anglo-Norman Ireland and the seat of the Butler family, one of the most powerful dynasties in Irish history. The Butler ...
Explore historyLord of Drogheda
Drogheda's lordship stretches back to the Norman invasion of Ireland. The town was established as a walled borough and became one of the most important towns in...
Explore historyLord of Dundalk
Dundalk was a frontier town of the English Pale, guarding the northern approach. The de Verdon family held the lordship after the Norman invasion. Edward Bruce,...
Explore historyLord of Athlone
Athlone's castle guards the principal crossing of the River Shannon, making it one of Ireland's most strategically important positions. The Earldom of Athlone w...
Explore historyLord of Sligo
Sligo was established as a Norman town by Maurice Fitzgerald. The O'Donnell and O'Connor clans competed for control. The Marquessate of Sligo was created for th...
Explore historyLord of Letterkenny
Letterkenny lies at the head of Lough Swilly in County Donegal. The O'Donnell clan were the most powerful lords of Tyrconnell. Red Hugh O'Donnell led resistance...
Explore historyLord of Tralee
Tralee was the seat of the Earls of Desmond, the FitzGerald family who ruled Kerry for centuries. The Desmond Rebellions of the 16th century devastated the regi...
Explore historyLord of Killarney
Killarney's lordship is connected to the McCarthy Mor clan, the ancient kings of Desmond. Ross Castle on Lough Leane was a McCarthy stronghold. Muckross House, ...
Explore historyLord of Ennis
Ennis was the seat of the O'Brien clan, descendants of Brian Boru, the High King who defeated the Vikings at Clontarf in 1014. The Franciscan friary, founded by...
Explore historyLord of Wexford
Wexford was founded by the Vikings as Waesfjord. The Normans captured it in 1169 during the first Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. The town was the scene of fi...
Explore historyLord of Carlow
Carlow Castle was one of the most important Norman fortifications in Ireland. The town was a key stronghold of the English Pale. The castle was held by the Mars...
Explore historyLord of Clonmel
Clonmel was the principal town of the Butler Earls of Ormond, one of Ireland's most powerful Norman families. The town successfully resisted Cromwell in 1650, t...
Explore historyLord of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel was the seat of the Kings of Munster for centuries before being granted to the Church in 1101. The cathedral and round tower perched on the l...
Explore historyLord of Mullingar
Mullingar was established as an Anglo-Norman town. The Nugent family, Earls of Westmeath, were the most powerful local lords. The town's strategic position at t...
Explore historyLord of Roscommon
Roscommon Castle was built by the English justiciar in 1269 but was repeatedly captured by the O'Connor and O'Kelly clans. The Earldom of Roscommon was created ...
Explore historyLord of Castlebar
Castlebar is famous for the 'Races of Castlebar' in 1798, when a small French force and Irish rebels routed the English garrison so quickly that it became known...
Explore historyLord of Westport
Westport is one of Ireland's few planned towns, designed by James Wyatt for the Browne family, Marquesses of Sligo. Westport House, overlooking Clew Bay, is one...
Explore historyLord of Armagh
Armagh is Ireland's ecclesiastical capital, founded by St Patrick in 445 AD. Both the Catholic and Church of Ireland Archbishops of Armagh hold the Primatial Se...
Explore historyLord of Newry
Newry guards the Gap of the North, the principal route between Dublin and Ulster. The Bagenal family were the most important English settlers, holding the town ...
Explore historyLord of Derry
Derry's walls, built between 1613 and 1619 by the London guilds who were granted the city's plantation, are the most complete city walls in Ireland. The city wi...
Explore historyLord of Enniskillen
Enniskillen sits on an island between Upper and Lower Lough Erne. The Maguire clan were the lords of Fermanagh until the Plantation of Ulster. The Cole family, ...
Explore historyLord of Downpatrick
Downpatrick is traditionally where St Patrick is buried, making it one of Ireland's most important pilgrimage sites. The de Courcy family held the lordship afte...
Explore historyLord of Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus Castle, built by John de Courcy in 1177, is the best-preserved Norman castle in Ireland. It guarded the approach to Belfast Lough for over 800 yea...
Explore historyLord of Coleraine
Coleraine was one of the principal towns of the Plantation of Ulster, granted to the London guilds along with Derry. The town guards the lowest bridging point o...
Explore historyBecome a Lord of Ireland
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