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SCANDINAVIAN ANTIQUITIES OF DUBLIN. 47
dynasty was not, however, quietly effected. Flann, BOOK i.
C "AP " IV>
King of Ireland, the son of Cearbhall's sister, and a
relative of Aulaf, disputed the sovereignty; 1
but "the Ju^
foreigners of Ath Cliath " defeated Flann, and slew Irish-
" Aedh, son of Conchobhar, King of Connacht,
Lerghus, son of Cruinden, Bishop of Cill-dara, and
Donchadh, son of Maelduin, Abbot of Cill-Dearga,"
"and many others."
This battle affords further evidence of the pre-
vious existence of an Irish dynasty in Dublin, as,
from the death of Ivar in 872 to that of Cearbhall
in 885, it is the only conflict between the Irish and
the " foreigners of Ath Cliath " of which there is any
notice in the Annals of the Four Masters, 2
after that period their contests were frequent.
although
In A.D. 890, Gormo Enske or "Godrum, the Danish sitric invades
king who governed East Anglia, departed this 3
life,"
and " the Gaill left Erin and went into Alba under
Sitric, the grandson of Imhar," 4 to claim Gormo's
dominions, or to assist Hastings in the invasion of
but whatever was Sitric's object he failed
Wessex ;
to attain it, for Ethelwerd says that, "A.D. 894, Sige-
1
Lann, daughter of Dunghal, that,A.D.878,"Barith,afiercecham-
Lord of Ossraighe, and sister of pion of the Norsemen, was slain and
Cearbhall, married Maelseachlaim, afterwards burned at Ath Cliath
King of Ireland, who died 860, through the miracles of God and St.
and by whom she had Flann, King Cianan." Ann. 4. Mast., A.D. 878.
01' Ireland, who died 916. After Hen. Hunt., 890; Sax. Chron.,
the death of Maelseachlaim, 860, 890; Hamsfort Chron., Langebek,
she married Aedh Finnlaith, King vol. L, p. 269, places his death in
of Ireland, who died 879, and by 894, and adds that he was sucwhom
she had Niall Glundubh, King ceeded in Denmark by his brother
of Irelaud, killed in 919. Aedh Harald, and in East Anglia by
Finnliath's daughter married Aulaf, Ilarald's son Gormo.
the first king of Dublin. * Book of Danish Wars MSS.
8 Indeed the only intervening [Wars of the Gaedhil with the
notice of Dublin is in the statement Gaill, pp. Ixxxi. and 29.]