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152 Stephen Dunford: The Journey of The IrIsh
cause of the old feuds which still existed amongst some of the Irish princes, their resistance was weakened, and by 1242 practically all of Munster was overrun with the exception of what is today known as county Clare.
As we know, Ulster was granted to John de Courcey, who won a signal victory at Down- patrick, after which he built several strong castles and for many years held the territory against all attacks; and just as it they done in Munster, stupid internecine quarrels between rival Irish chieftains weakened opposition to his occupation. In time, de Courcey fell victim to the jealousy of the monarchy in England who forced him to leave in 1204, after which the northern princes united and succeeded in repelling all Norman attacks for several years.
Map showing chief Norman settlements and some of the chief Norman families
Despite losing his title of High-King under the terms of the Treaty of Windsor, Rory O’Connor still retained his stature as King of Connacht, and in 1177 he successfully re-
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