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Wars of the Irish Kings: A Thousand Years of Struggle, from the Age of Myth through the Reign of Queen Elizabeth I
The riveting true story of how Ireland came to be, told through eyewitness accounts from a thousand years of struggle
“A fascinating mixture of mythology and actual historical events. . . . Lovers of Irish and medieval literature will relish this book.”— Booklist
For the first thousand years of its history, Ireland was shaped by its wars. Beginning with the legends of ancient battles and warriors, Wars of the Irish Kings moves through a time when history and storytelling were equally prized, into the age when history was as much propaganda as fact. This remarkable book tells of tribal battles, foreign invasions, Viking raids, family feuds, wars between rival Irish kingdoms, and wars of rebellion against the English. While the battles formed the legends of the land, it was the people fighting the battles—Cuchulain, Finn MacCool, Brian Boru, Robert the Bruce, Elizabeth I, and Hugh O’Donnell—who shaped the destiny and identity of the Irish nation.
Brought together for the first time in one volume, Wars of the Irish Kings is a surprisingly immediate and stunning portrait of an all-but-forgotten time that forged the Ireland of today.
“A fascinating mixture of mythology and actual historical events. . . . Lovers of Irish and medieval literature will relish this book.”— Booklist
For the first thousand years of its history, Ireland was shaped by its wars. Beginning with the legends of ancient battles and warriors, Wars of the Irish Kings moves through a time when history and storytelling were equally prized, into the age when history was as much propaganda as fact. This remarkable book tells of tribal battles, foreign invasions, Viking raids, family feuds, wars between rival Irish kingdoms, and wars of rebellion against the English. While the battles formed the legends of the land, it was the people fighting the battles—Cuchulain, Finn MacCool, Brian Boru, Robert the Bruce, Elizabeth I, and Hugh O’Donnell—who shaped the destiny and identity of the Irish nation.
Brought together for the first time in one volume, Wars of the Irish Kings is a surprisingly immediate and stunning portrait of an all-but-forgotten time that forged the Ireland of today.
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 6, 2019
I think this is going to be hard to get interested in unfortunately
April 9, 2014
I was hoping for a popular history of ancient and medieval Ireland, but this is really a compendium of primary source documents.
Rather than tell the story of Ireland's High Kings and legendary heroes in a compelling narrative, this book more or less anthologizes older works like The Book of Howth, the Annals of the Four Masters, and other medieval manuscripts. It's worthy material, but not engrossing.
Rather than tell the story of Ireland's High Kings and legendary heroes in a compelling narrative, this book more or less anthologizes older works like The Book of Howth, the Annals of the Four Masters, and other medieval manuscripts. It's worthy material, but not engrossing.
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April 21, 2014I had a professor in college that told me that life is too short to read bad books. I wish I had listened to her.
September 29, 2013
Good historical documentation--enjoyed the historical documents from both sides of the wars. Propaganda, myth and poetry. Interesting.
April 21, 2020
It’s a great research book which wasn’t what I was looking for. Still a good collection of primary sources about Ireland between 500-1600.
February 21, 2022
An excellent collection of primary sources regarding Irish warfare. Each section was introduced well by the author, so I wasn’t floundering.
Some sections, admittedly, were more interesting than others. I particularly enjoyed “Mythical Wars and Warriors” (gods and larger-than life heroes), “The Scots” (Robert the Bruce’s brother invading Ireland), “The Battle of Axe Hill” (Gerald Fitzgerald), and “Hugh O’Neill Triumphant” (any story of a victorious underdog is bound to be fun.)
Some sections, admittedly, were more interesting than others. I particularly enjoyed “Mythical Wars and Warriors” (gods and larger-than life heroes), “The Scots” (Robert the Bruce’s brother invading Ireland), “The Battle of Axe Hill” (Gerald Fitzgerald), and “Hugh O’Neill Triumphant” (any story of a victorious underdog is bound to be fun.)
December 22, 2015
Always desperate to find more information on Irish history, I found this one at the Library. I didn't finish it and skipped many of the very early legends. I'm giving it 3 stars because it was valiantly done and, let's face it, early Irish history is awash with regional kings and constant battles with mystical overtones.
Learned a bit more about the actual Norman invasion of Ireland. Half of my Irish ancestry is old family Norman and I keep searching.
Some might find this delightfully organized. I learned that the medieval legends are filled with beheading and strategic marriage.
Learned a bit more about the actual Norman invasion of Ireland. Half of my Irish ancestry is old family Norman and I keep searching.
Some might find this delightfully organized. I learned that the medieval legends are filled with beheading and strategic marriage.
June 15, 2012
Are you interested in reading a book of manuscripts and historical accounts of wars fought in Ireland from pre-medieval days to the Renaissance? Do you like lots of cool sounding names, like Hasculf MacTorkel, the Viking king of Dublin? Well have I got a book for you!
If you aren't into that sort of thing, you might not like it all that much.
If you aren't into that sort of thing, you might not like it all that much.
May 27, 2017
Review title: For the joy of the story and the fight
Stereotypes usually start from a basis in fact, and as Irish history starts from a basis in myths and legends, so does the stereotype of the Irish as great storytellers and fighters. McCullough goes back to original sources to document the wars of Irish Kings from the mists of myths and legends to the 1601 defeat of Irish forces and their Spanish allies at the South coast siege of Kinsale.
Along the way are sightings of mermaids, Old Testament patriarchs, Greek heroes , Christian saints and Satan, disappearing palaces, and fortune telling witches. The earliest accounts, most believed to have been written centuries after the fact, are blends of seemingly and possibly historical events with settings, characters, and events that must be embroidered with if not made from the whole cloth of fantasy. Many of the primary sources McCullough uses for his extracts were written by Irish monks in collected annals of Irish history that, despite the impossibilities are still considered by academic historians the best source for early Irish history.
The Kings at war aren't the nationalist rulers of divine right that we think of in European monarchy. From the earliest days, Ireland was ruled at the local level by family chieftans, consolidated into four broad regions under a higher tier of kings: Leinster in the East, Munster in the South, Connacht in the West, and Ulster in the North. The Hill of Tara was the sacred seat of the single high Irish King who (theoretically) ruled over all: "more often than not it was an empty title. . . . more mystical, even religious, than political or military.", McCullough explains in his introduction (p. xix). So these accounts and the events they describe read more like local family disagreements written down or told by people who know the combatants and the circumstances in the way that folks from a small community know everyone and everything that goes on. And they seem to delight in the fight. The bold, the aggressive, the savvy lone fighter is celebrated.
And the other great thread of Irish stereotype is apparent in the evident joy in telling the story. These were writers, be they participants, historians or monks, who seemed to write for the joy of the story. Superlatives and adjectives abound, as in this account of the enemy (Viking invaders in this case):
This description continues for another half page of adjectives describing the bad guys, who were clearly very bad. And the good guys, who were just as clearly very good:
Again this description continues for another half page, including descriptions of the Irish weapons ("... terrible sharp darts with variegated silken strings... ") and clothing (....white, neat, well-adjusted, graceful shirts..."). It is telling that both sides are described as valiant and nimble; the love of the fight and the love of the story must give honor to both sides.
As to those sides, it is only with the arrival of the English on the historical scene in Ireland in the 12th century that the wars become explicitly nationalist in character. Then we encounter in one account the "English Irish" fighting with the invaders and the "wild Irish" who oppose them (p. 215). One Irish leader encouraged his side that "it was easier for them to defend their patrimony against this foreign people [now] than to take the patrimony of others by force, after having been expelled from their own native country." (p. 252). And with the Elizabethan era, the ominous religious twist of the wars raises its ugly head, as one annalist documents an "English heretic [i.e. Protestant] soldier" who converts to the Irish (Catholic) side, while shaming an "Anglo-Irish Catholic priest [who] will not influence Irish Catholics against assisting the English heretics who have desecrated the Church of Saint Patrick and attacked its defenders". (p. 262)
So there is much here to learn, but be warned before you buy this book: there is also much here that is hard to find interesting if you read word for word. As a side effect of the aspect of telling stories about local or regional events and charscters, there are often pages of names and family relationships that don't mean much to the modern reader and did make my eyes glaze over at times. McCullough acknowledges this in his selection, editing and introduction of each source and at times provides pointers to guide readers to the interesting parts. But when you look for and find the joy of the story, it will help you understand and appreciate the stereotype of the Irish.
Stereotypes usually start from a basis in fact, and as Irish history starts from a basis in myths and legends, so does the stereotype of the Irish as great storytellers and fighters. McCullough goes back to original sources to document the wars of Irish Kings from the mists of myths and legends to the 1601 defeat of Irish forces and their Spanish allies at the South coast siege of Kinsale.
Along the way are sightings of mermaids, Old Testament patriarchs, Greek heroes , Christian saints and Satan, disappearing palaces, and fortune telling witches. The earliest accounts, most believed to have been written centuries after the fact, are blends of seemingly and possibly historical events with settings, characters, and events that must be embroidered with if not made from the whole cloth of fantasy. Many of the primary sources McCullough uses for his extracts were written by Irish monks in collected annals of Irish history that, despite the impossibilities are still considered by academic historians the best source for early Irish history.
The Kings at war aren't the nationalist rulers of divine right that we think of in European monarchy. From the earliest days, Ireland was ruled at the local level by family chieftans, consolidated into four broad regions under a higher tier of kings: Leinster in the East, Munster in the South, Connacht in the West, and Ulster in the North. The Hill of Tara was the sacred seat of the single high Irish King who (theoretically) ruled over all: "more often than not it was an empty title. . . . more mystical, even religious, than political or military.", McCullough explains in his introduction (p. xix). So these accounts and the events they describe read more like local family disagreements written down or told by people who know the combatants and the circumstances in the way that folks from a small community know everyone and everything that goes on. And they seem to delight in the fight. The bold, the aggressive, the savvy lone fighter is celebrated.
And the other great thread of Irish stereotype is apparent in the evident joy in telling the story. These were writers, be they participants, historians or monks, who seemed to write for the joy of the story. Superlatives and adjectives abound, as in this account of the enemy (Viking invaders in this case):
Now on the one side of that battle were the shouting, hateful, powerful, wrestling, valiant, active, fierce-moving, dangerous, nimble, violent, furious, unscrupulous, untamable, inexorable, unsteady, cruel, barbarous, frightful, sharp, ready, huge, prepared, cunning, warlike, poisonous, murderous, hostile Danars [Danes]...... (p. 116)
This description continues for another half page of adjectives describing the bad guys, who were clearly very bad. And the good guys, who were just as clearly very good:
But on the other side of that battle were brave, valiant champions; soldierly, active, nimble, bold, full of courage, quick, doing great deeds, pompous, beautiful, aggressive, hot, strong, swelling, bright, fresh, never-weary, terrible, valiant, victorious heroes and chieftans, and champions, and brave soldiers, the men of high deeds, and honour, and renown of Erinn..... (p. 117)
Again this description continues for another half page, including descriptions of the Irish weapons ("... terrible sharp darts with variegated silken strings... ") and clothing (....white, neat, well-adjusted, graceful shirts..."). It is telling that both sides are described as valiant and nimble; the love of the fight and the love of the story must give honor to both sides.
As to those sides, it is only with the arrival of the English on the historical scene in Ireland in the 12th century that the wars become explicitly nationalist in character. Then we encounter in one account the "English Irish" fighting with the invaders and the "wild Irish" who oppose them (p. 215). One Irish leader encouraged his side that "it was easier for them to defend their patrimony against this foreign people [now] than to take the patrimony of others by force, after having been expelled from their own native country." (p. 252). And with the Elizabethan era, the ominous religious twist of the wars raises its ugly head, as one annalist documents an "English heretic [i.e. Protestant] soldier" who converts to the Irish (Catholic) side, while shaming an "Anglo-Irish Catholic priest [who] will not influence Irish Catholics against assisting the English heretics who have desecrated the Church of Saint Patrick and attacked its defenders". (p. 262)
So there is much here to learn, but be warned before you buy this book: there is also much here that is hard to find interesting if you read word for word. As a side effect of the aspect of telling stories about local or regional events and charscters, there are often pages of names and family relationships that don't mean much to the modern reader and did make my eyes glaze over at times. McCullough acknowledges this in his selection, editing and introduction of each source and at times provides pointers to guide readers to the interesting parts. But when you look for and find the joy of the story, it will help you understand and appreciate the stereotype of the Irish.
June 16, 2023
Another in-depth book by the author. It's hard to imagine the research he put into this book. There is a lot of history in this book they didn't teach in European History. McCullough never disappoints, just make sure you have plenty of free time to finish the book. Ireland is a unique place with a truly unique history.
April 8, 2025
If you’re looking for a collection of primary sources regarding Ireland’s history of military conflicts, connected by brief notes giving an overarching view of each document and fitting it within the history - this is for you!
If you’re looking for an overarching view of the history and to meet and understand some of their popular figures and heroes, unfortunately you’ll have to look elsewhere
If you’re looking for an overarching view of the history and to meet and understand some of their popular figures and heroes, unfortunately you’ll have to look elsewhere
February 22, 2020
An interesting collection of historical documents, Celtic traditions and the author’s inferences regarding the kings of Ireland.
June 21, 2024
First hand accounts and older accounts written down in medieval annals. Valuable asset for academics, though many of the accounts are a bit of an effort to read (given the prose of the time).
May 31, 2015
This is one of those books that parts of it go very fast and other parts have to be plodded through.
The names of the Irish kings were difficult for me to pronounce and keep track of because I'm not the familiar with the history of Ireland. The last section of the book is written in English that was used just before the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Personally, I'd rather read Shakespeare. However, over all, I found this book interesting and worth reading if only to catch a glimpse of Ireland's past.
The names of the Irish kings were difficult for me to pronounce and keep track of because I'm not the familiar with the history of Ireland. The last section of the book is written in English that was used just before the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Personally, I'd rather read Shakespeare. However, over all, I found this book interesting and worth reading if only to catch a glimpse of Ireland's past.
February 14, 2009
This book is a collection of first hand accounts and other writings, the quality of the writing varied greatly. The account of the siege and battle of Kinsale that closed the book was great and really brought that event to life. Also superior were some of the mythological accounts early in the book. The middle portion of the book dragged as participants seem to have only so many ways to describe large sword battles that they were a part of.
August 11, 2007
This collection of original stories regarding the battle for power in Ireland, recorded by monks, is hit-or-miss. Some of the original texts provide fascinating insight or a great flair for storytelling while others are dull – or extremely dull. The introductions and explanations are concise, well-written, and spark interest but the book is uneven overall.
January 23, 2009
A fascinating look at Ireland's long and storied struggle against conquerors during its first thousand years, evoking myths, stories, legends, and recorded history to create a vivid portrait of a land steeped in a rich oral and written tradition.
February 25, 2014
I can't say that it is a boring book, but I can't seem to stay interested. The translations maintain an archaic style without being unclear, and the explanations are interesting, but the subject is exactly what the title says, and I'm just not feeling it.
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August 24, 2010941.5
July 28, 2011
I love history books, but this one was really slow for me. If you love readying actual historical manuscripts, you will love this.
December 14, 2011
Only made it a little past half-way before returning it to the library, but the collection of stories was very interesting.
January 21, 2013
Really informative.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews