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Eight things you didn't know about Scotland's invasion of Ireland

MOST people associate the British invasion of Ireland with England but did you know that Scotland also attempted a takeover?

This lesser known chapter of Irish history, called the Bruce invasion of Ireland, is being documented on the BBC in a two-part special.

Here are eight facts you may not have known about the Bruce invasion of Ireland…

1. The Scottish King sent his brother to Ireland. Edward Bruce landed in Larne, Co. Antrim, in 1315 on the orders of his brother, King Robert the Bruce. His task was simple – take over Ireland and install himself as King.

2. The Scots were fighting their own war on home turf at the time. When the invasion took place, Scotland was in the midst of the First Scottish War of Independence against England.

3. There were selfish reasons behind the invasion. The King of Scotland’s aim in an Irish takeover was to create havoc there to distract the English from its war with Scotland and lure the country’s men, finances and materials to Ireland.

4. Some Irish Kings sided with the Scots. King Domnall mac Brian Ó Néill of Tyrone, worried about losing his kingdom, asked for aid from Scotland. The Bruce brothers agreed, so long as Ó Néill supported Edward Bruce as King of Ireland.

Doug Russell as Edward Bruce, the would-be King of Ireland. Picture: BBC Pictures

5. The war could have changed history. The Bruces plan was that Robert would be King of Scotland and take over the Isle of Man from England, while Edward would be King of Ireland and make an attack on Wales.

6. The overall plan was a union against England. Though the brothers would be separate rulers, their aim was to create a “Gaelic alliance” against England.

7. The invasion was initially quite successful. Many of the Irish Kings who stood up to Edward Bruce’s men were forced to retreat by the stronger Scottish armies.

8. Ironically, a famine spared Ireland from being fully taken over. The European-wide famine of 1315-1317 caused disease to become widespread which killed off many of Bruce’s army. Bruce himself was killed and the invasion ended on October 14, 1318.

Part Two airs on Sunday, August 23, at 9.45pm on BBC Two NI and Part One is available on BBC iPlayer

Clive Russell as Scotland King Robert the Bruce. Picture: BBC Pictures