When Did Britain Conquer Ireland?

Considering all the animosity felt by both sides and the many long years of struggle, some may not know the history of fighting between Britain and Ireland. The struggles began early, as most historians believe the conquests of Oliver Cromwell in 1649 to 1653 appears to be the basis for all the hard feelings that have existed on both sides. The conquest was a fierce and bloody time in Irish history.

After many bloody battles, the British conquered the Irish in 1650 when  Cromwell conquered the Irish capital of Kilkenny. The fighting involved many conflicts over a long period of time.

In the beginning, the conflicts between the British and the Irish were based on the differences of religion. The English were Protestants and Irish were Catholics. The English wished to impose their religion on the Irish. When the Irish chose not to change to a protestant faith, they joined with British Loyalists who were also Catholics and who had already been at war with the English Parliament.

Joining forces, the Irish and British Loyalists put together a small army. They were also joined in their struggle for freedom of religion in Ireland by the Ulster Scots who practiced the Catholic faith as well. Together these groups devised a plan to attack the British and seize control.

As the loyalists readied themselves, the British launched a surprise attack on June 2 in Rathmines, near Dublin. The attack took the freedom fighters by complete surprise and allowed the British to move quickly into Dublin in 1649 without opposition. Some historians report that there were thousands killed on the side of the loyalists and Irish and that many prisoners were taken captive. 

Drogheda

As the invasion of Ireland continues, Cromwell led his troops to Drogheda. The taking of Drogheda by the British was designed to provide an uninhibited route for supply lines to England and a port to receive reinforcements. The British troops were still over 3000 strong at this time. Their attack was bloody and involved the deaths of many civilians and Church Clergy.

Wexford

In a continuing path of bloodshed, Cromwell then moved on to Wexford. Here the British overwhelmed the Irish Confederates and loyalists, slaughtering over 2000. The village was burned to the ground and the 1400 citizens that survived were massacred. Cromwell then continued his march and ransacked other villages while many surrendered.

Taking of Kilkenny

By 1650, Cromwell stormed Leinster and was able to take the capital of Kilkenny. The taking of Kilkenny and the neighboring Clonmel took a heavy toll on Cromwell as he lost over 2000 troops. The invasion of Ireland by Cromwell resulted in the conquest of Ireland.

British Post-Invasion Actions

After Cromwell’s march through Ireland, Parliament began confiscating the property of the Irish Catholics. They imprisoned or exiled the Irish Confederates and British Loyalists that had been captured in a great purge.

Parliament further banned the Catholic religion in Ireland, confiscating and destroying all the implements of worship. The purge continued as they offered bounties for information on the location of priests.

Once religious leaders and freedom fighters were apprehended, summary executions were carried out. These actions were in part retribution for prior massacres perpetrated by the Catholics.

Part of the English rule in Ireland involved bringing in Protestant settlers to participate in the colonization of Ireland. The settlers were given lands that had been confiscated from the Irish conflicts, creating a ruling class in Ireland during the coming English administration of Ireland.

England also established a penal system that discriminated against any religion other than the state accepted religion of the Anglican Church.

Ongoing Hostilities Between England and Ireland

These acts of brutality and the bloody invasion of Ireland by the British created the hostilities that still exist centuries later. Over the subsequent years, hostilities would continue and conflicts would not cease. Not even the replacement of both monarchies could end the feelings of hatred that were the result of the invasion.

As the subsequent conflicts of the two countries are examined, it can be seen readily that they all trace their roots back to this one single event. The brutality and indiscriminate killing that accompanied Cromwell’s invasion left a bitterness and hatred in the memories of the Irish. The confiscation of property, the destruction of, and banning of, their religious underpinnings have left a deep scar on the people of Ireland.