The Invasion That Changed Ireland Forever | Bannow Bay 1169

In 1169, the first Norman ships touched Irish soil… and Ireland would never be the same again.

0:00 Introduction – The Norman Way
0:25 Setting the Scene: Ireland in the 12th Century
2:10 Diarmait Mac Murchada’s Exile
4:45 Seeking Help in Wales & France
6:30 The Norman Fleet at Bannow Bay
9:15 March to Wexford Town
12:05 Siege and Negotiations
14:30 Aftermath of the Capture
19:10 Norman Control & Cultural Change
22:55 Looking Ahead – The Next Steps

In May 1169, a small fleet of Norman ships landed at Bannow Bay, County Wexford — changing the course of Irish history forever. Led by Robert FitzStephen and Maurice FitzGerald, and backed by the exiled King of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Murchada, the Normans marched on Wexford in a campaign that would reshape the island’s politics, warfare, and society.

In this first episode of The Norman Way series, we walk the ground where it all began. From the windswept shores of Bannow Bay to the medieval streets of Wexford Town, discover how the Normans secured their first foothold in Ireland, why they came, and the dramatic siege that followed.

📍 Locations in this episode:
– Bannow Bay
– Wexford Town
– The medieval walls of Wexford

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