The Southeast’s proximity to Britain meant that it was often the first port of call for foreign invaders. Viking raiders arrived in the area during the 9th century and went on to establish some of Ireland’s earliest towns, including Waterford and Wexford. They were followed in the 12th century by the Anglo-Normans, who shaped the region’s subsequent development.

Given its strategic importance, the Southeast was heavily protected, mostly by Anglo-Norman lords loyal to the English Crown. Remains of impressive castles attest to the power of the Fitzgeralds of Kildare and the Butlers of Kilkenny, while wealthy Anglo-Irish families felt confident enough to build fine mansions in the region, such as the Palladian masterpieces of Russborough and Castletown. English rule was not universally accepted, however. The Wicklow Mountains became a popular refuge for opponents to the Crown, and the mountainous terrain is still the only real wilderness in the Southeast – contrasting sharply with Kildare’s flat grasslands to the west, and sandy stretches of beach to the east.