Edward Bruce was the younger brother of Robert Bruce who in 1306 was proclaimed King of Scots. Edward served his brother well in many battles against the English. But after the victory at Bannockburn the English threat receded and the restless Edward sought glory elsewhere. With his brother's blessing he crossed the Irish Sea to take advantage of the chaos in Ireland and to attempt to establish an anti-English Scottish-Irish dynasty.

He landed in 1315 and quickly gained control of Ulster enabling him to be crowned, rather ambitiously, High King of Ireland in May 1316. However he needed a far larger army if he was to subdue Ireland entirely, so in the autumn 1316 King Robert joined him with reinforcements. The winter 1316-17 was an exceptionally severe one and hit the Scots hardest. Having failed to gain control of Ireland King Robert returned to Scotland leaving his brother to fight on alone.

In 1318 the Anglo-Irish Lords made common cause and united to take on Edward. They met in battle at Faughert 700 years ago today on 14 October 1318. The heavily outnumbered Scots were defeated and King Edward Bruce was killed. His body was quartered and his head delivered to the English King Edward II.

No-one again was ever to claim the title High King of Ireland.