France and Ireland share many historical ties, yet both countries share similarities today. Even Bordeaux’s wine region exhibits Irish influences.
Grace Kelly — an Oscar-winning actress who married an Irish prince — had Irish ancestry. Even the name of her birthplace in Tanguay bears Irish overtones.
The Vikings
New genetic studies reveal that Irish have deep Viking roots; you may even recognize this in your DNA ancestry results.
Between the 700s and mid-800s, Vikings roamed Europe’s seas. In Ireland, they waged war and raided settlements.
de Gaulle was descended directly from Rollo, an important Viking warrior and many Irish surnames are rooted in Norse culture.
The Norman Conquest
In 911, Rollo accepted an offer from Carolingian King Charles the Simple to settle an area known as Normandy in northern France – later becoming known as Normandy itself – known as Normandy by settling it himself and founding its nameless settlements as Northmen.
Dukes of Normandy rose to prominence, sometimes even surpassing the power of England’s monarchs. Gradually the histories and cultures of both France and England became intertwined until ultimately Norman French overtook Old English as the primary language spoken amongst upper classes.
The Jacobite Rebellion
Jacobites were passionate supporters of the Stuart royal family and its divine right to rule Scotland, England and Ireland.
After French invasion plans were postponed, Charles Edward Stuart (known as ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’) launched a successful rebellion. They captured Edinburgh via Wade’s roads and advanced as far south as Derby before their hopes for overthrowing Cumberland at Culloden Moor were dashed without French assistance.
The Battle of the Boyne
The Battle of the Boyne, fought on either July 1st (Julian Calendar) or 11th (Gregorian), marked an important confrontation between Roman Catholic James II and his Protestant nephew William of Orange; it effectively put an end to any attempt at restoring James’ throne after Glorious Revolution.
The battle site covers an expansive area west of Drogheda. Oldbridge serves as the main river crossing point, while Duleek, Donore, and Plattin – along the Jacobite line of retreat – have their respective combat areas marked with tourist information signs.
The Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution marked a peaceful shift of power away from an absolutist monarchy toward one governed by a constitutional monarch and Parliament in 1688.
Legacy of its reign was the creation of a Constitution which more frequently empowered Parliament over King, which increased constitutional credibility and created conditions for an enduring monarchy and improved relations with France.
The French Revolution
Major social unrest that led to the downfall of monarchy and establishment of French Republic, ultimately giving way to Napoleon Bonaparte and his Napoleonic Era.
Under the auspices of liberty, equality, and fraternity, the Assembly passed decrees which effectively ended aristocratic privileges as well as confiscating church lands.
But factions within the Assembly quickly emerged. Those supporting Necker and his proposal of constitutional monarchy became known as monarchiens; while its opponents formed what is now known as the Jacobin Club.
The Napoleonic Era
Napoleon revolutionized warfare with his battlefield brilliance. Even though his armies conquered much of Europe, Britain retained its dominant naval power status.
Napoleon revolutionised laws across his empire, including Catholic Church emancipation and civil law that treated all citizens equally.
Little by little, he installed members of his family on European thrones despite protest from royal courts all across Europe. Additionally, he greatly increased the Louvre collection through plundering art works from defeated enemies he captured – seemingly unstoppable!
The Second World War
World War II, humanity’s bloodiest conflict ever, pitted Britain and Ireland, France, Germany, the Soviet Union and the United States against Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan – but ultimately led to victory for the Allies.
After WWII, diplomatic relations between Ireland and France were strengthened significantly, evidenced today by Ireland’s membership of La Francophonie. De Gaulle visited Ireland in 1969 – his sole visit ever and a reminder of his Irish roots (from his mother’s side). While in Ireland, he met Eamon de Valera at Aras an Uachtarain.