counties (shires), territorial divisions created from the late 12th century as part of the
Anglo‐Norman colonization. The process of shiring involved the appointment by the crown of a
sheriff, in whom legal, military, and administrative powers were vested. Counties were, and remain, the most important unit of
local government in Ireland. Co. Dublin was created before 1200. Cork, Waterford, and Munster had sheriffs by 1211. By 1240 Munster was divided into Cos. Limerick and Tipperary, and Cos. Louth and Kerry had been constituted. Connacht was created as a county prior to 1247. The later 13th century saw the creation of Roscommon, Kildare, Meath, and Carlow. Crown control fluctuated in the coming years, however, and some areas remained wholly outside the royal prerogative, either as recognized independent
liberties or as autonomous Gaelic lordships. In 1556 King's and Queen's Counties were created by statute. The
Flight of the Earls allowed the shiring of Ulster from 1604, and Wicklow was created in 1606. However, not until the abolition of the
Ormond palatinate in 1716 were there 32 centrally appointed shrievalties. County identities were reinforced by the mapping of boundaries in 1846. County councils, created in 1898, now exercise considerable powers in the Irish Republic, though they were abolished in Northern Ireland in 1972. In 1993 the county of Fingal was created as an administrative division of the Irish Republic, from territory formerly within Co. Dublin.
Neal Garnham
