964–1002
Brian Boru and Glenmama, 968–1002
In the 10th century the Dál gCais, until then a small kingdom in what is now County Clare, rise to rule Munster. In 964 Mathgamain, Brian’s elder brother, takes Cashel, the seat of the kings of Munster. In 968 he defeats the Norse of Limerick under Ivar at Sulcoit and burns Limerick the next day. Mathgamain is killed in 976, and Brian kills Ivar on Scattery Island in 977 and defeats his Munster rival Máel Muad at Belach Lechta in 978.
The Rock of Cashel, seat of the kings of Munster, with church buildings of the 12th century and laterWikimedia Commons, Mike Searle, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Rock of Cashel, Tipperary.jpg)
In 980 Máel Sechnaill, king of Tara, defeats the Norse of Dublin and the Isles at Tara. Amlaíb Cuarán, king of Dublin, goes into religious retirement on Iona, and Máel Sechnaill besieges Dublin for three days and takes away the hostages held there, 2,000 by the Annals of the Four Masters. In 989 he besieges the town again for twenty nights and takes it.
From 982 Brian and Máel Sechnaill fight each other, mostly in Leinster, until they meet at Clonfert in 997 and divide Ireland, the south to Brian and the north to Máel Sechnaill. Late in 999 Leinster and Dublin revolt against Brian. On 30 December Brian and Máel Sechnaill defeat Máel Mórda, king of Leinster, and Sigtrygg Silkbeard, king of Dublin, at Glenmama, probably near Lyons Hill. On 1 January 1000 Brian’s army burns Dublin and the grove of Thor beside it.
Brian Boru in armour and crown, an engraving published by 1723Wikimedia Commons, unknown artist, Public domain (Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig (1723) (crop).jpg)
Brian lets Sigtrygg keep Dublin after he submits and gives him a daughter in marriage. Dublin strikes its first coins about 995, in Sigtrygg’s name. In 1000 Brian turns against Máel Sechnaill, and in 1002 at Athlone Máel Sechnaill acknowledges him as high king of Ireland.
A silver penny struck in the name of Sigtrygg Silkbeard, king of Dublin, between 995 and 1036Wikimedia Commons, The Portable Antiquities Scheme, Stuart Wyatt, CC BY 2.0 (A Early Medieval silver Hiberno-Norse penny of Sigtrygg (Sihtric) II Silkbeard Olafsson King of Dublin dating from 995-1036. (FindID 994486).jpg)
Sources
- Annals of Inisfallen and Annals of Ulster, entries for 964 to 1002.
- Seán Duffy, Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf (2013), pp. 123 to 135.
- Donnchadh Ó Corráin, Ireland Before the Normans (1972).
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