Norman Settlement: 1169 CE


The Normans were originally from Scandinavia but settled in Normandy in France. They travelled to Ireland from Britain and conquered or captured Viking settlements. The Normans were castle builders, with defence and control being important factors. The majority of Norman towns developed around castles as the settlements took on both military and dwelling functions. Castles were typically built on sites that were easier to defend, such as on elevated ground or on the bend of a river.


Bridging points of rivers and fertile land also influenced settlement choices of Norman settlers, with many castles being found on low-lying areas where water and farmland were available. Town walls and gates were built to protect the town further from attack, and also as a means of controlling trade and disease.


The Normans were Christians and had close links with the Cistercian and Franciscan religious orders. As a result, priories or abbeys are found near castles.


: Fig. 4.9 Kilmallock in Co. Limerick is an example of a Norman town, as evidenced from the remnants of its town gate.


Note!


OS map evidence: • Castles • Motte • Moat • Bailey


• Town walls • Town gates • Abbeys • Priories


• Place-names with Bally (derived from baile) indicate Norman origins


Plantation Town Settlements: 1500–1700 CE


Plantation towns were created during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries when land was granted to English and Scottish planters who were loyal to the English crown. Many of these plantation towns have fortified buildings or defensive walls, as attacks from the displaced native Irish population were common. Most of the plantation towns have a main street and a market square/diamond, where weekly trades or fairs took place. Plantation towns were planned and had wide streets with two- or three-storey buildings. These towns were located near a large landlord estate, known as a demesne, which was divided into small plots of land called lotts. As the towns developed, so too did road and canal networks. Examples of plantation towns in Ireland are Charleville, Co. Cork; Adare, Co. Limerick; Birr, Co. Offaly; Maynooth, Co. Kildare; Donegal Town, Co. Donegal.


100 ELECTIVE 5 PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT


Note!


OS map evidence: • Fortified houses


• Market square/ diamond


• Demesne • Canals


• Grid-patterned streets


• Ornamental gardens


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