January 26th , 1316
In 1315, Edward the Bruce, brother of King Robert, landed in Ulster where he crowned himself King of Ireland and appealed to the common Celtic heritage of the two nations for a joint effort against their common enemy, the English. This whole Irish adventure is often considered the most curious event in Wars of the Bruces. However, Robert the Bruce, fresh from his staggering victory at Bannockburn, had many reasons to send his brother to Ireland with over 5,000 veteran warriors.
Edward the Bruce, brother of Robert - King of Scotland, landed with an army in 1315, to set up a united Celtic Kingdom. He was joined by many Irish Chieftains and crowned King of Ireland. At the battle of Ardscull (Co. Kildare) he defeated the army of Justiciar Edmund Butler. The Dubliners broke the bridge of Dublin, demolished a number of buildings and used the stone to strengthen the town defences. Lacking a siege train, Bruce could not press his advantage and so, Dublin and the royal administration was saved.
The Scottish dead were buried in the graveyard attached to the Dominican Priory in Athy which occupied the area on the east bank of the River Barrow known today as The Abbey . Amongst those buried were two Scottish chiefs, Lord Fergus Andressan and Lord Walter de Morrey.
