That one took me so long to write that there were no replies when I started and two other replies by the time I'd finished!

It's a pity that you've ruined the surprise a bit by blabbing about one unit type he might get to meet. He did say it's his first attempt at this battle.

Anyway, the essence is that Ireland isn't just an empty province that you can grab by plopping 60 Urban Militia into it. It appears empty only due to absence of agents. Border watch in Wales or Scotland can't see into it either.

Funnily enough, ships can act as roving border watch towers, to some extent. When your first ship is ready, move it into the Irish Sea zone and, in the following turn, you should be able to see the troop disposition there - numbers as well as quality - and some info about the province.

It goes almost without saying that any troop type which you can build, which other factions cannot even get access to, is an advantage to you since it gives them a problem in finding effective ways to counter it. 'Cheapnis' is another benefit too...