Dungannon, Northern Ireland
First screened 2 March 2008
In this section: Dungannon home | Background | What they found | The O'Neills and the troubled history of Ulster | Q&A | Find out more
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The fort of the earls
The year is 1602 and English forces have attacked and taken one of the most important strongholds in Ireland – Dungannon. In the heart of Ulster, Dungannon was the seat of the O'Neills – the most powerful family in Ireland, allied to France and Spain and enemies of James I. At least two castles have stood on the site, as well as grand English houses and a fortified town, regularly attacked by invading forces.More about Dungannon »
What they found
The quest was to find evidence of the O'Neills' fortress – a typical Irish tower house, a fortified stone structure consisting of several stories with one large room per floor.
The quest was to find evidence of the O'Neills' fortress – a typical Irish tower house, a fortified stone structure consisting of several stories with one large room per floor.
The O'Neills and the troubled history of Ulster
In Ulster, the lands of rebellious earls were seized and allocated for settlement by English and Scots. The Plantation, as it became known, marked the beginning of modern Ulster and 400 more years of war and conflict.
In Ulster, the lands of rebellious earls were seized and allocated for settlement by English and Scots. The Plantation, as it became known, marked the beginning of modern Ulster and 400 more years of war and conflict.
Time Trial
Watched the programme, browsed the web pages? Now try our quick quiz to see how you get on.
Watched the programme, browsed the web pages? Now try our quick quiz to see how you get on.
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