The Battle of Limerick 1175: Rory O'Connor, Raymond Le Gros & the Invasion of Thomond

Episode overview

In 1175 the politics of the Norman conquest take an extraordinary turn. High King Rory O’Connor, once the central figure in resistance to the invaders, cooperates with Norman forces against Donal Mór O’Brien of Thomond, while Raymond le Gros leads a major expedition west and prepares to attack one of Ireland’s most formidable cities.

The episode follows the march into Thomond, the dangerous crossing of the River Shannon under fire and the capture of Limerick. More than a battlefield story, it shows how quickly alliances could shift in twelfth-century Ireland, with Gaelic rulers increasingly willing to use Norman military strength against powerful Irish rivals.

Topics covered

• Why Rory O’Connor turned against Donal Mór O’Brien in 1175
• Raymond le Gros and the Norman-Gaelic expedition into Thomond
• The hazardous crossing of the Shannon and assault on Limerick
• The capture of the city and the changing politics of the conquest