Norman invasion The Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169–71 affected Laois as it was a part of the Kingdom of Leinster. In Laois, the fortress on the Rock of Dunamase was part of the dowry of the Irish princess Aoife, who was given in marriage in 1170 to the Norman warrior Strongbow. Advancing Normans surveyed the county from wooden towers built on top of earthen mounds, known as mottes. They also built stone fortresses, such as Lea Castle, just outside Portarlington. Several of the county's towns were first established as Norman boroughs, including Castletown, Durrow and Timahoe.
NoRman INvasion thE nOrmaN inVASiOn of irELand in 1169–71 AffEcted Laois As It was a parT of The kingdom oF leInsTer. In LaOIS, tHe fortRess ON tHe roCk of dUnaMaSE waS PArt oF the doWry Of the iriSh priNCess AoifE, wHo wAS given iN marRIagE In 1170 to tHe nORmAn wArrIOr STRONgbow. AdvaNcinG NORmanS SurveyeD THe CouNty frOm wooDen towerS buIlt On top Of earthen mouNdS, known as MOTtes. tHey alSo bUilt sToNE fortresSEs, suCh as LEa CAStlE, jUst OutSiDe PorTaRlinGton. SEveral oF tHe county's tOwns were FirSt established as nOrmaN boRougHs, iNcludIng castlEtoWN, DurroW ANd tiMahoe.