1014 CE - Battle of Clontarf

by Kathleen Ní Bhriain and Larry Chamberlin

1014 CE finds the Battle of Clontarf, one of the bloodiest battles in Ireland, being fought. Brian Boru and the men of Munster went up against a large force consisting of the men of Leinster and the Ostmen (or Norse). Tadhg O Conor (King of Connacht) refused to join Brian in this fight, though two minor Connacht holdings did fight with Brian, those being Uí Fiachrach Aidne and Uí Maine. The Battle of Clontarf is described in the Annals of Loch Cé.

"Brian, however, assembled neither host nor multitudes against this great army of the west of the world, and of the Foreigners, but the men of Mumha (Munster) alone, and Maelsechlain with the men of Midhe; for there came not to him the Ulidians, not the Airghialla, nor the Cenel-Eoghain, nor the Cenel-Conail, nor the men of Connacht, save the Hi-Maine and Hi-Fiachra and Cenel-Oedha; for goodwill existed not then between Brian and Tadhg-an-eich-ghil, son of Cathal, son of Conor, King of Connacht; and hence it was that Tadhg refused to go with Brian to that battle of Cluain-tarbh."

Despite the fact that Brian Boru was not backed by the majority of the men of Connacht, he and the men of Munster were victorious, and the Ostmen (Norsemen) were thereafter considered subordinate to the Kings of Ireland, and were no longer a military threat. They were relegated to their cities in Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Wexford, and Cork, and retained some degree of autonomy there. After a time, the Norsemen married with the Gaels, and, in effect, became Gaels. Brian Boru, however, was killed in the final stages of the Battle of Clontarf.

With regard to Brian Boru, it is good to put the Battle of Clontarf into perspective. First, although it was a victory (which even the Vikings credit) to Brian's forces, the Vikings nonetheless kept their towns in Dublin, Wexford, Cork, Waterford and Limerick. These towns, cut off from each other by land, operated thenceforth as independent republics until finally assimilated into Irish culture.

Second, the Vikings were not defeated by a combined Irish force. The Vikings under the King of Dublin were supporting their Irish allies: the men of north Leinster. The Leinstermen perhaps suffered the worst defeat at Clontarf, since they lost their King, Ma'el Mo'rda. There were Vikings fighting in support of Brian, as well, from Limerick and Waterford. Also, many Irish forces stayed neutral, including Ma'el Sechnaill, whom Brian had usurped from the Ard Ri', and who wholly kept out of the battle. It was more a victory for Munster than anything else.

Finally, the attempt by Brian Boru to found a dynasty was itself defeated at Clontarf. He and his most promising son fell at the battle. His remaining two sons, Tadg and Donnchad, were not strong enough to take the high kingship, so it fell back into the grasp of Ma'el Sechnaill. After his death, in 1022, the Ard Ri' became more honorary than a seat of true power. Brian's lasting impact was to set the precedent that the title belonged to whoever could seize it, which was the case for the next 150 years.

Sources:

MacDermot of Moylurg : The Story of a Connacht Family, Dermot MacDermot,(c)1996 , Drumlin Publications, ISBN 1873437161

A History of Ireland, Peter & Fiona Somerset Fry, Rutledge, 1988 & Barnes & Noble [reprint] 1993, ISBN: 1-56619-215-3

prepared Kathleen Ní Bhriain and Larry Chamberlin

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