Location Visit: Between the Walls of Baginbun
In the summer of 1170 one of the most important battles in Irish history was fought at a small headland in modern County Wexford. Now called Baginbun, it was then known by its ancient name: Dun Domhnall (or Dundonnell). A tiny Gaelic fort commanded the eastern end of the triangular shaped promontory while beaches and high cliffs defended it to two sides.
It was here around the start of May 1170 that the Norman warlord Raymond de Carew landed with a small army of 120. He had been sent by his lord, Richard de Clare of Chepstow Castle (better remembered to history as Strongbow), to prepare the way for his invasion.
Raymond immediately began reiving cattle from those Gaelic lords thereabouts, driving them back to Dun Domhnall for safe-keeping behind a new fortification that he and his men had begun constructing upon arrival.
Amazingly, 849 years on, those earthworks are still there at Baginbun Head and this video will hopefully give you some idea of the marvellous construction that they once were.
These walls would prove their worth to Raymond when, at some point in June or July 1170, an army of between 2,000 and 3,000 warriors marched on Dun Domhnall. The Vikings of Waterford and Gael had united with the aim on destroying the Norman bridgehead in Ireland.
As the famous couplet recalls: "By the creek of Baginbun, Ireland was lost and won".
Outnumbered by at least 20-to-1, the Normans under Raymond somehow managed to emerge victorious. To find out how, be sure to check out my three novels about the Norman invasion of Ireland:
SWORDLAND By Ruadh Butler
http://amzn.to/2vC1Jn6
The story of the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169 and the career of the Welsh-Norman knight Robert FitzStephen.
LORD OF THE SEA CASTLE By Ruadh Butler
http://amzn.to/2vK9iYj
The tale of the Siege of Baginbun (Ireland's Hastings) and the actions of Raymond the Fat, a Welsh-Norman warlord.
THE EARL STRONGBOW By Ruadh Butler
https://tinyurl.com/y3e5ag2v
Viking Waterford is the target for the Norman invaders, but only Raymond de Carew has the skill to find a way over the city walls.
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