Brian Boru & the Vikings - Ireland in Schools

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Source 5 Brian Boru, web site on www.sleeping-giant.ie/bealick/boru.htm The Battle of Bealach Leachta, in 978, marked the first major defeat of the Danes in Ireland and established Brian Boru as a serious contender for position of Ard Ri (High King) of Ireland. The battle was the climax of a power-struggle between the Dal gCais of North Munster and the Lords of Carbery. Mahon of the Dal gCais was captured by Imar, a Limerick Dane who was allied to the O‘Donovans and O‘Mahonys of Carbery. Imar delivered Mahon, a brother of Brian Boru of Kincora, into the hands of Maolmuidh of the O‘Mahonys, who killed him at Aghabullogue. Brian Boru came seeking revenge, first despatching Imar the Dane, then picking off O‘Donovan, and then meeting the O‘Mahonys at Bealach Leachta. A fierce battle was waged all day on the riverside plain - Brian's army had swelled as many minor chieftains began to recognise his potential, and Maolmuidh had the support of the remains of the O‘Donovan clan and 1500 Danes. Maolmuidh and his troops were forced back, and Maolmuidh took refuge at Leacha Dubh (site of Macroom Golf Course), where he was found and killed. Fulfilling a curse put on him for the assassination of Mahon, Maolmuidh is buried on the north side of the hill, where the sun never shines, under a harsh wind. Following the battle Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster. Three standing stones were erected on the site of the battle (of which two remain). One is known as Leacht Mahon. UCN, Brian Boru - national hero, page 18
Source 6 F. Donald Logan, The Vikings in History, Routledge, London 1983 What, then, of the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 Was this not the event by which Brian Boru stopped the Viking threat once and for all and saved Ireland Legends die hard, and perhaps no legend will die harder than the legend of Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf, for there are so many people in Ireland who claim descent from this legendary hero. As the legend would have it, Brian emerged from the fastnesses of deepest Clare as overking of the south and in time as High King of Ireland.... Brian stood tall as the national leader to defeat the Vikings. It was at Clontarf north of the Liffey near Dublin, that the Irish faced the Vikings and Brian Born faced Sihtric. The Vikings had summoned a mighty Viking army from virtually the whole Viking world.... On the eve of the battle omens were seen across the north as far away as Iceland.... The day of battle arrived on Good Friday, 1014; and Brian‘s Irish army, lacking the Leinstermen, who had gone over to the Viking side ... Brian knelt on an animal skin in Tomar‘s Wood and refused himself, to enter into combat on this sacred day. Nevertheless, the battle went ahead. First, a champion from each side met, but with no decision. The forces of Munster then fell back before onrushing Leinster. The remnants of the Viking army and the men of Leinster were forced to flee their ships through a nearby wood. There they saw an old man kneeling among a circle of warriors. Brodir, King of isle of Man, asked who this man was, and he was told Brian Boru. Brodir raised his mighty battle sword and hit the High King of Ireland. The day was already lost, however, and the blood of Brian Boru sealed the victory of the Irish over the Viking. The Viking age had ended. Or, so the story goes. Is this fact or fiction From this tangle of fact and fiction some sifting must be done. Brian Boru had indeed gained control over the south and, at times over parts of the north. He did lead some Irish tribes (and even some Viking forces) at a battle at Clontarf on Good Friday in 1014. However, his main opposition was not the Vikings, it was the King of Leinster, who had tried to gain control over parts of Ireland. Brian Boru‘s forces were successful, but he fell in the battle. The struggle for control and peace in Ireland struggled for a 150 years after Clontarf, which was only one amongst many other battles. It did not destroy the power of the Vikings. Nothing so simple as a one-day battle in the spring of 1014 could do that. The Vikings had already become part of the Irish society and were no longer a strong force at the time of the Battle of Clontarf. UCN, Brian Boru - national hero, page 19
Page 1 and 2: Ireland in Key Stage 2 History The
Page 3 and 4: Introduction UCN, Brian Boru - nati
Page 5 and 6: Question card Read and discuss the
Page 7 and 8: UCN, Brian Boru - national hero, pa
Page 9 and 10: UCN, Brian Boru - national hero, pa
Page 11 and 12: Source 6 Liam de Paor (ed.), ’Bri
Page 13 and 14: Jamie 1. True, because the battle w
Page 15 and 16: ‘ Relate task e.g. What/who is a
Page 17 and 18: Source 1 Morgan Llywelyn & Michael
Page 19: Source 4 Brian Boru, High King of I

Brian Boru & the Vikings - Ireland in Schools

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