13 lesser-known historical facts about Ireland
1 Newgrange, a prehistoric monument in County Meath, is older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza.
2 Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century.
3 The Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript Gospel book, is one of the most famous artifacts of medieval Ireland.
4 The Viking invasion of Ireland began in 795 AD, leading to the establishment of several key settlements, including Dublin.
5 The High Kings of Ireland were based at the Hill of Tara, a significant archaeological and historical site.
6 The Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169 led to centuries of English and later British involvement in Irish affairs.
7 The Flight of the Earls in 1607 marked the end of Gaelic order in Ireland and the beginning of English domination.
8 The Easter Rising of 1916 was a pivotal event in the struggle for Irish independence.
9 The Irish Free State was established in 1922, following the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
10 The Troubles, a conflict that lasted from the late 1960s until 1998, centered around Northern Ireland.
11 The Great Famine (1845-1852) led to mass starvation, disease, and emigration.
12 The Book of Armagh is an important 9th-century Irish manuscript that contains some of the earliest examples of written Irish.
13 The Claddagh ring, a traditional Irish ring representing love, loyalty, and friendship, originated in the village of Claddagh.
