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Jan 1, 1002
Brian Boru becomes High King of Ireland
By 1002, Máel Sechnaill II finally submitted to Brian Boru. The Uí Néill King, Mael Sechnaill mac Domnaill was apparently abandoned by his Northern kinsmen who now acknowledged Brian as High King of Ireland thus ending the several-hundred year reign of the Ui Néill Kings. Brian Boru was crowned High King of Ireland in 1002 at the capital of the ancient kingdom of Munster, the Rock of Cashel. -
Jan 1, 1014
The Battle of Clontarf
Brian Boru assembled a large army of united Irish and headed to the Viking stronghold at Dublin. The Vikings came ashore at Clontarf and a fierce battle commenced. The Vikings attacked from sea with heavy weaponry and more organised forces, but the Irish had numbers on their side. 6,000 were killed, including all the Viking leaders and Irish chieftains. The Viking stranglehold on Ireland was broken, but the Irish were without leaders, causing fighting over leaders & landownership for many years. -
The Vikings arrive in Ireland
In the late 8th century, the Vikings spread out from southern Norway in Scandinavia and headed towards Britain, France and then eventually to Ireland. They continuously attacked Ireland for decades and sailed away with whatever treasure they could find. Their first attack was on an Irish monastery in Rathlin Island which is located near county Antrim. They eventually settled in Ireland. They would go on to change the face of Ireland forever and help to modernise the social structure of the count -
The Vikings raid Iona Abbey
Iona monastery was established by St. Colmcille. For 200 years the monks lived there in peace translating Bibles. The monastery was first attacked in 794, in which the Vikings set fire to the premises, forcing the monks to flee the Abbey. However, the attack in 806 was particularly brutal, as the Vikings killed 86 monks on the beach. The beach is now known as the Bay of the Martyrs. -
The Vikings established settlements in Ireland
Around 841, the Vikings began to settle in places such as Dublin, Wexford, Cork and Wicklow. In 841 the Vikings returned to Dublin (Dyflin) this time not as raiders but as conquerors. They seized the ecclesiastical settlement at Duiblinn and established a longphort near Dublin Castle, overlooking 'Black pool', referring to a dark tidal pool where the River Poddle entered the Liffey on the site of the Dublin Castle. -
The Vikings defeated
The Vikings attacked various locations in Ireland, they were not always successful. On numerous occasions they were defeated by Irish kings such as Máel Sechnaill, High King of Ireland and Tigernach Mac Fócartai, King of Lagore, in County Sligo. The army was defeated again and the Viking leader, Tomrair, was killed by Mac Cináeda, King of Munster, and Lorcán Mac Cellaig, King of Leinster in County Kildare. The Viking army was also defeated near Cashel by Ólchobar mac Cináeda and at Cork by Ólcho -
The Vikings destroyed St. Patrick's Cathedral Armagh
Armagh was destroyed by the Vikings in 852AD. St. Patrick’s Cathedral was one of the most famous places to be destroyed. However, St. Patrick’s Cathedral now stands tall in the County of Armagh as it was rebuilt many times since the Vikings attack. After he died at the Battle of Clontarf, Brian Buru was buried in Armagh. -
Vedrarfjordr (Waterford) was founded by vikings (Vedrarfjordr)
The Vikings built a ‘longphort’ or dock at the confluence of St. John's River and the River Suir in Waterford, upon realising the strategic and trading importance of the three rivers which empty into Waterford Harbour. The city developed into a significant urban area during the 10th century, arguably being the oldest area of continuous urban settlement in Ireland. Reginald’s Tower marks the site of the first defensive structure built by the Viking settlers. -
Brian Boru born
Brian Boru was the younger of two sons born of Cennedig, head of Dal Cais, one of the royal free tribes of Munster. Brian’s brother, Mahon, the eldest, succeeded Cennedig as chief and Mahon was willing to accept terms of Norse leaders but Brian, refused. He deserted Mahon and became famous for attacking Norse settlements and disappearing into the hills. After a number of petty battles, Brian had trained an excellent army to face the Norsemen and re-joined forces with his brother. -
Battle of Tara
The Dubliners are defeated at Tara by Mael Sechnaill, king of the southern Uí Néill, who becomes overlord of Dublin. This battle was fought near the Hill of Tara in the year 980. It paved the way to taking back control of Dublin and freeing Irish slaves. The Vikings suffered a deadly defeat and heavy casualties. This battle was the most decisive defeat for the Vikings as the Kingdom of Dublin never retained the Norse status it had once held and it ended the Viking attempt over domination of the
