Slavery in Ireland

[6] In 870, Vikings, most likely led by Olaf the White and Ivar the Boneless, besieged and captured the stronghold of Dumbarton Castle (Alt Clut), the capital of the Kingdom of Strathclyde in Scotland, and the next year took most of the site's inhabitants to the Dublin slave markets.

[12] Slavery became more prevalent throughout Ireland the 11th century as port cities built up by Vikings flourished, with Dublin becoming the biggest slave market in Western Europe.

[12] The Irish slave trade began to decline after William the Conqueror consolidated control of the English and Welsh coasts around 1080, and was dealt a severe blow when the Normans abolished slavery in 1102.

[17] As was true for societies across Europe, Asia, & Africa during this time, there were individuals born in Ireland who became involved with the Atlantic slave trade between 1660 and 1815.

[27] Several Caribbean Islands have significant Irish communities descended from indentured servants deported from Ireland by colonial British authorities following the 15th & 16th century Plantations of Ireland, with the like of Montserrat once hosting large Anglo-Irish owned and run sugar plantations that were dependent on slave labour.

McConnell brought up this family history during the 2020 United States presidential election campaign to liken himself to Barack Obama.

[31] The US Department of State criticised Ireland in 2018 for "not meeting the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking"; types of modern slavery and forced labour include prostitution, trawler fishing and domestic service.