Early Ireland History

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We celebrate St. Patrick's Day every year, but few give thought to the rich history of Ireland, where St. Patrick called home. Consider these historical facts.

* The first settlers of Ireland can be traced back to 7000 B.C. in the Middle Stone Age period. These were mainly hunters who emigrated from Britain.

* Much of early Irish history can be attributed to the Celts, a group of Indo-European individuals with a distinct language.

* It wasn't until the 5th century that Christianity was introduced in Ireland. St. Patrick is often credited with this. However, history states there were some Christians in Ireland even before St. Patrick's arrival.

* An age of renaissance and progress in Ireland took place in the 11th and 12th centuries. It was also an era or religious reform, attempting to put the church more in line with the Roman orthodoxy.

* Normans invaded Ireland in the Middle Ages and it was a time of uncertainty. Normans quickly came to control three-quarters of the land.

* The English tried to regain control in Ireland and bring Protestantism. This was the beginning of religious differences in the land.

* In 1845 the now infamous potato famine began. Between the years 1848 and 1849, the population decreased by 2 million people.