The Norman Invasion of Ulster
The Norman invasion of Ireland started in 1169 with a landing in Leinster at the request of Diarmaid Mac Murchadha, exiled King of Leinster
The Normans soon started to displace native Gaelic kings and lords and gained control of the key towns and cities on the East and South coasts
In 1176 the Cenél Eogain repulsed a first Norman attack on Armagh
In 1177 John de Courcy set out to invade Ulster and succeeded in defeating the Kingdom of Ulaidh (in modern County Down)
He then extended his reach across east Ulster, building Carrickfergus castle that year
Hugh de Lacy displaced de Courcy and was created Earl of Ulster by the English King in 1204
He extended his reach to Antrim and part of Derry but failed to defeat the Ua Néill (O’Neill) of Tyrone, who controlled a huge swathe of central and southern Ulster.
De Lacy’s daughter married Walter de Burgo who thus gained the Earldom of Ulster for his family