The Normans invaded Ireland in the twelfth century (1169). They built great castles along the banks of rivers. They chose to settle on the banks of rivers so they could defend themselves. The Normans first arrived in the south and east of Ireland and they mainly settled there.
Kilkenny City is famous for its magnificent Norman castle. Plantation
In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, British people came to Ireland and set up towns. Parts of Ireland were planted or settled by people loyal to the king or queen of England. These towns were known as plantation towns.
Examples of plantation towns include Portarlington and Portlaoise in Co. Laois, and Youghal and Mallow in Co. Cork.
Can you locate and identify past historic periods of settlement on the map below? ACT VITY
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zFortified House zDemesne zBawns
zCastle zMotte and Bailey zMoated Site zTown Walls
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49 : Figure 12.5 Charleville, Co. Cork ACT VITY
Can you suggest a reason why the Vikings and the Normans settled in Ireland? From what you have learned in History, can you name some antiquities or evidence from past settlements that can be found in your local area?
(i) Why did ancient settlers locate near rivers? (ii) List two periods of historic settlement in Ireland and name an antiquity from those times.
(iii) Study the map of Castlebar on page 201 (Figure 12.4). List three pieces of evidence that show that it has a long history of settlement.
/ I understand the different time periods of historic settlement in Ireland. / I can identify those settlements on an Ordnance Survey map.
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Settlement and Urbanisation: Where we live and why
