Edward Bruce’s grave in Faughart
It was 700 years ago today since Dundalk was almost totally destroyed by Edward Bruce, brother of the Scottish king Robert the Bruce.
Days after destroying de Verdon’s fortress of Castle Roche, Bruce attacked Dundalk, another possession of the de Vernon’s on June 29th 1315.
The town was almost totally destoryed in the attack, with its population of both Anglo-Irish and Gaelic settlers, massacred alike.
Later crowned the High Kind of Ireland, Locals would have the last laugh though as after several years of mobile warfare, Bruce and his allies failed to hold areas that they had conquired. In the end he was defeated and killed at the Battle of Faughart on October 14th 1318 by Sir John de Bermingham.
Edward Bruce is buried in the churchyard on the Hill of Faughart.
