Edward the Bruce
Edward the Bruce
In May 1315, Edward the Bruce arrived at Olderfleet (Larne) with a well-seasoned army to take up an invitation by the Irish earls to become King of Ireland and remove English rule. The Irish earls had been inspired by the victory of his brother Robert at Bannockburn which led to him being crown King of Scotland. On arrival in Ireland, Edward marched south and after numerous battles defeated the Red Earl William De Burgo at Connor near Ballymena, shortly after this he was proclaimed King of Ireland.
The Earl's forces scattered but some took Carrickfergus Castle which was subsequently lay siege to by Edward's forces. The siege lasted from September 1315 until September 1316. An attempt to relieve it by Sir Thomas de Mandeville from the sea in April 1316 failed and he was killed in the process. The castle eventually surrendered and possession returned to Edward where it remained until he was killed at the battle of Faughhart in 1318. The castle reverted to an English garrison throughout the 14th century.