Ireland

Oil painting by Ralph Lillford, 'Irishmen Avenge Irish Dead', Londonderry, 1975

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The Troubles

Troops were sent to Northern Ireland in 1969. They ended up staying there for nearly 40 years in what became the British Army's longest ever deployment.

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Battle of the Boyne

Fought on 1 July 1690 between the forces of the deposed King James II and his successor, King William III, the Battle of the Boyne was the largest military engagement ever to take place on Irish soil.

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The Battle of Vinegar Hill, 21 June 1798

Irish Rebellion of 1798

In 1798, an underground republican group known as the Society of United Irishmen instigated a major uprising against British rule in Ireland. Although the revolt ended in total defeat for the rebels, it marked a significant watershed in Irish history.

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Replacement VC group awarded to Private Francis FitzPatrick, 94th Regiment, 1879-1900

Lost and found: A tale of two VCs

The medals of Private Francis Fitzpatrick, an Irish-born Victoria Cross hero, have recently been reunited at the National Army Museum after more than a century of separation.

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British Civil Wars

Fought between 1642 and 1651, these wars were primarily disputes between Crown and Parliament about how the British Isles should be governed. But they also had religious and social dimensions, and witnessed the creation of the first national standing army.

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Nine Years War

Between 1689 and 1697, British soldiers joined a European alliance against French expansionism. At the same time, extensive fighting took place in Scotland and Ireland between the supporters of King William III and the deposed James II.

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The Ulster Defence Regiment

This infantry unit was formed in 1970. It served in Northern Ireland until 1992, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Regiment.

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Cap badge, other ranks, The Royal Irish Rangers, c1970

The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th)

This infantry unit was established in 1968 and recruited in Northern Ireland. It served with the British Army until 1992, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Regiment.

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Cap badge, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers), c1914

The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's)

This infantry unit was established during the 1881 reforms. It recruited in the Irish province of Ulster and served until 1968 when it was merged into The Royal Irish Rangers.

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Glengarry badge, other ranks, 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment, c1874

87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot

This Irish infantry unit was raised in 1793. It served with the British Army until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Fusiliers.

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Glengarry badge, 89th (Princess Victoria’s) Regiment of Foot, c1874

89th (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot

This Irish infantry unit was raised in 1793. It served with the British Army until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Fusiliers.

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The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

This Irish infantry unit was established in 1881. Recruiting in Ulster, it existed until 1968, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Rangers.

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27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot

This Irish infantry unit was raised in 1689. It continued in service until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged into The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

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Detail from an Irish recruiting poster, 1915

Talk

3 December 2021, 12.00pm

FREE

Irish Soldiers of the First World War

Join Professor Richard Grayson as he investigates the experiences of Irish soldiers in the First World War.

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Explore Ireland learning resources

Video

KS3 (Ages 11 to 14)

Easter Rising 1916

Watch experts from museums in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland sharing their thoughts on objects from our Easter Rising collection.

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Ireland

The Troubles

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