Having been bowled out for 85 on the first day, England were under pressure.
It is Ireland’s third Test and their first at Lord’s and they needed 182 to win the match.
But Chris Woakes was on fire, taking 4-10, to reduce Ireland to 24-5 inside the first ten overs of their second innings with Stuart Broad then taking a wicket with the first ball of the 11th.
Broad then took his third before Woakes completed his five-for. And Notts bowler Broad earned his fourth with Ireland staring down the barrel at 36-9.
Ireland had hopes of earning a historic first win with what would have been one of the biggest upsets in Test cricket.
But England bowled superbly in the opening of the second Irish innings as they prepare for this summer’s Ashes.
Should England get the win, it would complete a remarkable turnaround after the shambles of the first day.
The Three Lions then collapsed again on the second day, falling from 171-1 to 248-8.
Late hitting from Sam Curran and Broad helped England set Ireland a difficult total for their first Test win.
But it only came after nightwatchman Jack Leach hit a wonderful 92.
“I just went out to try to soak up some balls and make it easier for the guys coming in,” Leach had said.
“It probably went a little bit further than I thought it would.
“I tried to bring it down to one ball at a time, not thinking too far ahead.
“It’s harder to do that in the 90s and I know now that the nervous 90s are definitely a thing. I was having some weird thoughts. I was tired as well – I had cramp – but was still trying to bring it back to the next ball.
“I was telling myself not to think about it – which made me think about it. I’ll learn from that if I get the chance again.”