Timeline: Ireland and the British Army

This military expedition marks the beginning of England’s claim of sovereignty over Ireland. English influence on the island fluctuates considerably during the Middle Ages, but is often restricted to a small area around Dublin, known as the ‘Pale’.

The Tudor conquest culminates in a rebellion against English rule by Hugh O’Neil, 2nd Earl of Tyrone. This rebellion spreads across Ireland before taking on an international dimension in 1601 with a contingent of Spanish troops intervening in support of the Irish. The Spanish-Irish alliance suffers a major defeat at the Siege of Kinsale, leading to Tyrone’s eventual surrender in 1603.

King James I instigates a policy of settling English and Scottish Protestants in the northern province of Ulster, often at the expense of native Catholic landowners. This is the largest and most effective of the plantations of Ireland, but creates long-lasting divisions along religious and ethnic lines.

The Irish Catholic Confederation is formed in 1642 and attempts to take control of Ireland. This conflict merges with the British Civil Wars (1642-51) and draws in forces of the Royalists, the Parliamentarians and the Scottish Covenanters.

Kilmainham Hospital in Dublin is the first institution set up to care for Army veterans, representing a significant milestone in the development of soldiers’ welfare. Kilmainham also serves as a model for the Royal Hospital Chelsea, built in London shortly afterwards.

Formed by the Earl of Arran to help suppress the Monmouth Rebellion, this cavalry unit serves on the Irish establishment from 1699 until 1788, subsequently becoming the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards.

Three new units - which later become the 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot, the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons - are raised in Ireland to serve against the deposed King James and his supporters, the Jacobites.

Many Jacobite soldiers leave Ireland to take up service in continental European armies, most notably that of France. This forms part of a long tradition of Irish soldiers in exile. These soldiers are known as the ‘Wild Geese’.

The Militia Act creates a new reserve force of infantry and cavalry, composed entirely of Protestants. This force is called out five times between 1719 and 1760 to meet threats from Jacobites and the French, but falls into decline after 1765.

Volunteer units are established to defend Ireland at a time when many regular troops are fighting in the American War of Independence (1775-83). These units are set up outside of government control and mark a major milestone in the development of Irish paramilitary forces. Perceived as a threat by the government in Ireland, the movement draws to an end in 1793.

The Militia Act re-establishes a part-time force tasked with defending Ireland from both insurrection and invasion. While the act is initially met by widespread unrest, with many Irishmen resenting the idea of compulsory military service, the Militia forms an important part of Ireland’s defence force until the end of Napoleonic Wars in 1815.

A rebellion against British rule in Ireland is instigated by the Society of United Irishmen. Despite French support, the rebels are totally defeated. But their actions inspire a new generation of Irish revolutionaries.

Robert Emmet, the brother of the one of the leaders of 1798 Rebellion, instigates an uprising in Dublin. This attracts little support and is swiftly put down. Emmet is condemned to death, but his stirring speech in the dock serves to inspire future generations of Irish revolutionaries.

The outbreak of the Crimean War (1854-56) spurs the re-creation of the Irish Militia as a home defence force.

The Fenians launch a series of abortive raids into Canada, hoping to hold the country hostage for Ireland’s independence. They also instigate an uprising in Ireland, which is similarly unsuccessful, and make efforts to infiltrate the British Army.

The Fenian movement fragments and declines during the last quarter of the 19th century, but a militant faction succeeds in instigating a terrorist bombing campaign in England and Scotland.

Formed by order of Queen Victoria in response to acts of gallantry by Irish units during the Boer War, the Irish Guards regiment continues to serve in the British Army today.

As part of an overhaul of the Army’s system of reserves, Irish militia units are disbanded and the rest are converted to Special Reserve units, where men have a duty to serve overseas in the event of war. In Britain, reserve units are merged into the newly formed Territorial Force. The only Territorial Force units raised in Ireland at this time are the Officer Training Corps formed in Belfast, Dublin and Cork.

After failed attempts in 1886 and 1893, a third Home Rule Bill is introduced by the British government, backed by the Irish Parliamentary Party. The bill aims to give Ireland devolved powers of government within the UK and so meet the growing clamour in Ireland for greater independence. The bill faces stiff opposition from unionists in Ulster. Passed into law in 1914, its implementation is postponed by the outbreak of the First World War.

The British government contemplates using military force to implement home rule. Many British officers at the Curragh Camp - the Army’s main Irish base - are sympathetic to the cause of the Ulster unionists and threaten to resign rather than take any such action. Their resistance causes the government to withdraw and publicly disown the plans. This event is widely regarded as a mutiny, although no officers actually fail to carry out issued orders.

The First World War provides an opportunity for militant nationalists to instigate a rebellion in Ireland in 1916.

Irish nationalist forces launch a bitter guerrilla war in Ireland. This results in independence for southern Ireland, which becomes the Irish Free State, and the creation of Northern Ireland, which remains within the UK.

Formed by the amalgamation of The Inniskillings (6th Dragoons) and the 5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte of Wales's).

The Republic of Ireland Act comes into force, ending all remaining ties between the state of Ireland and the British monarchy.

Formed by amalgamating three Northern Irish regiments: The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria’s) and The Royal Ulster Rifles.

Formed in the early years of 'The Troubles' to take over military duties from the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) in Northern Ireland.