The Irish anyone?

[adembroski]

I don't believe Ireland was in any way unified until the 1171 King Henry invasion, so if this were done, I think it would make most sense to break Ireland into at least 2 parts and have a player only control one province to start.

This would be the more appropriate Irish banner, as the green one (I could be wrong here, I'm going on information I haven't referenced in a LONG time) is the flag adopted by Irish Americans...



Appropriate potential provinces within Ireland would be Ulaid, Northern UI Neill, Airgialla, Breifne, Connacht, Mide, Tuadmumu, Laigin, and Desmumu... the Island is fairly small, so probably no more than 3 provinces would be appropriate, and I'd go with Ulaid (northern Ireland), Connacht (western Ireland), and Laigin (southern and eastern Ireland). The first player owned Irish province should be Laigin, with Dublin as the capital (though not historically accurate, as Dublin was in the Irish Kingdom of Mide, Laigin was more central in the territory I am calling an Irish province here. Laigin is also the name of one of the legendary four kingdoms of Ireland, so it makes sense to be used as one of the names. One could easily go with the name Mide as well).

The most appropriate initial king I think I can find is Donnchad mac Domnaill Remair, but I can't really find any information on him.

[Sir Robin the Brave]

Yeah I was going to give the player Dublin, and have the others 'rebel' provinces. The green flag was used by the Kingdom of Leinster, whilst I belive that one wasn't used until the late 14th century. I may be mistaken, but I still believe I sould use the green one (faction colours and all).

This is a map of what I was thinking of doing with the provinces:



So the player would start with Dublin, and have some pickings around them.

I haven't much on the Irish units, I'm thinking of maybe adding 'Norse Mercenaries' which were historically used.

So any info is indeed welcome!

[Hross af Guttenburg]

Ireland was hardly a faction to compare with Scotland or England or anywhere else for that matter'

The cities on your map are already existent in Anno Domini mod. You would be better added a faction from there

I don't think Dublin is in the right place is it? You've put her in Wexford, she's north of Kildare

[NagatsukaShumi]

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Medieval Auctoriso yet, adding Ireland was something that caused alot of people to kick up a fuss over our faction list!

[Nanor]

Great to see so much enthusiasm. Coleraine wasn't a given name until the plantations. It might be more realistic if you gave them their original Irish names (as this is pre-plantation). Cork is Corcaigh, Dublin is Bailé Atha Cliath, Galway is Gaillimh and Coleraine is Cúil Raithin. As for the Northern province, I'm surprised you didn't choose Dungannon (Irish Dún Geanainn), as it was Hugh O'Neill's HQ and the capital of Ireland, not to mention my home town.

As for units. Irish infantry was made up of lightly armoured, but ferocious high stamina and morale troops. The accumulated of mainly Axes, Spears and weak bowmen. However, in the late period they did use muskets and these proved very effective in The battle of the Yellow ford in which Hugh O'Neill (Irish Aodh Ó Neill) defeated an English relief party attempting to take back a fort. The Irish didn't use cavalry much, as they prepared to fight on foot.The Irish also happened to get into diplomacy with Spanish and French who sent troops in order to help defeat the English. Vikings heavily influenced the Irish, so Danish Mercenaries may be good. As for Irish general names:

Forenames: Rónán (My name :)), Aodh (Hugh), Liam, Cáolan, Séamus, Brian, Padraig and others. (Could you use my name in it, though? :))

Surnames: Ó Cuinn (Mine), Ó Neill, Mag Uidhir, ó Dálaigh, Mac Dónaill and others..

Could you use my name in it? :)

[Rollon]

Vikings heavily influenced the Irish, so Danish Mercenaries may be good.

I guess one should also add Gallóglaigh. They are in the game already, AFAIK.

[Nanor]

I guess one should also add Gallóglaigh. They are in the game already, AFAIK.

Yeah, they are. They're Scots who settled in Ireland IIRC. Gallóglaigh translates as Foreign Soldier.

[adembroski]

Ireland was hardly a faction to compare with Scotland or England or anywhere else for that matter'

The cities on your map are already existent in Anno Domini mod. You would be better added a faction from there

I don't think Dublin is in the right place is it? You've put her in Wexford, she's north of Kildare

There are those of us, myself included, who are either Irish or Irish American who'd prefer to play with Ireland even if they are at a massive disadvantage technologically, just because the Irish tend to be a very proud people... very little new age anti-nationalism amongst the Irish.