ABSTRACT
Before we consider the castles of the new, English lordships in Ireland, we must glance at the process of their establishment there. Initially, there were the mercenaries recruited by Diarmait Mac Murchada after he left Ireland in 1166, and returned in the following year. The pace quickened in 1169, and a new element was introduced when Richard fitz Gilbert (Strongbow), later Earl of Strigoil and Pembroke, also came over, and married Diarmait’s daughter, in 1170. In 1171 Diarmait died, to be succeeded by Richard, but then Henry II also came to Ireland. The king of England was now overtly involved: Henry brought over other men, and made wider grants outside Leinster. It became posible to think, as Giraldus Cambrensis did, of the occupation of the whole of Ireland by English lords under the English king.
