Brian Boru and the Irish Vikings by Tina Martin
"A Viking's Enemy"
Hi, my name is Tina Martin. I am in Fifth Class in Ballyduff National School.
I decided to explore Brian Boru.
Who is Brian Boru?
Why is he such a legend in Ireland?
What link did he have with the Vikings?
Brian Boru. Brian Boru is remembered as a very famous Irish king. He belonged to the family of the Dal gCais, which had its royal fort near Kincora County Clare (see map).
Brian was taught the skills and tactics of warfare at an early age. Brian and his older brother Mahon fought for years against the Vikings of Limerick City. In the year 967 they won a great victory over their enemies, after the victory Mahon named himself King of Munster! Mahon reigned successfully for nine years and forced the Munster Vikings to pay him taxes and obey his laws. He also made chieftains in Connacht and Leinster accept him as their lord (see map). However, King Mahon was murdered by followers of certain chieftains who had refused to accept him as king. Soon after Mahon's death, Brian took over as King of Munster.
Brian Boru as King of Munster Brian Boru now attacked the lands of the Ard Ri (High King) King Malachy of Meath. Malachy was the most important king in Ireland. He was also very successful against the Vikings. So to make peace with Brian he had to agree to divide the country between them. Malachy kept the northern half while Brian was to rule the south. Brian's new lands included the Viking city of Dublin and the Kingdom of Leinster. However, neither the Leinster King, Maol Morda, nor the Dublin Vikings would submit. They rose against Brian, the Munster Chieftain. Brian defeated them in a bloody battle in 999 A.D. and, in the following year, he plundered Dublin. Following this success, Brian marched a large army into Meath and forced Malachy to step down and accept him as High King.
Brian Boru as High King As the new Ard Ri, Brian travelled around Ireland taking hostages from many chieftains. Under the rule of King Brian, Ireland became very peaceful. New bridges were built, roads, monasteries and churches were repaired.
Battle of Clontarf In 1013, Maol Morda of Leinster fell out with Brian and war broke out between them once more. Sitric, the Viking King of Dublin, joined with Maol Morda and called on his Viking warriors in the Scottish Islands and the Isle of Man to come and help them.
On Palm Sunday, 1014, a Viking fleet sailed into Dublin Bay. Brian gathered an army and marched to Dublin. Chieftains from Munster and Connacht joined him on the way! It was going to be an interesting battle! On Good Friday, 1014, the armies faced each other at Clontarf outside the town of Dublin. There was a great battle which lasted all day long. In the end, the Leinster men were heavily defeated and most of the Viking men and leaders were killed. However, Sitric, the Viking King, survived as he had wisely remained inside the walls of the town. It was a victorious day for King Brian. However, that day, King Brian, who was too old to fight in the battle, was killed in his tent by a Viking who had sneaked into his tent while running away from the battle. His son, Murrogh, and grandson were killed in the battle also.
A poem about the Battle of Clontarf: Swordblades rang on Ireland's coast,
Metal yelled as shield it sought
Spear points in the well-armed host
.I heard sword blows many more,
Sigwid fell in battles blast
From his wounds there sprang hot gore,
Brian fell but won at last.
