Ballygall (Baile na nGall - Town of the Strangers) was settled by the Vikings in the 11th century. Image File history File links Ireland_map_County_Dublin_City_Magnified. ... During late Gaelic and early historic times Ireland was divided into provinces to replace the earlier system of the tuatha. ... For much of its history, the island of Ireland was divided into 32 counties (Irish language contae or condae, pronounced IPA: ). Two historical counties, County Desmond and County Coleraine, no longer exist. ... The name Viking is a loan from the native Scandinavian term for the Norse seafaring warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, Europe and the British Isles from the late 8th century to the 11th century, the period of European history referred to as the Viking Age. ...