Brianboru

The Battle of Clontarf

UnrestUnrest Maelmurra joined Maelmurra joined

forces with Sitric, forces with Sitric, Viking King of Viking King of

Dublin.Dublin. In 1013, Brian In 1013, Brian marched north to marched north to

attack Dublin.attack Dublin. However, Brian However, Brian

ran out of ran out of supplies and had supplies and had

to retreat to to retreat to Munster for the Munster for the

winter.winter. Sitirc, Viking King of DublinSitirc, Viking King of Dublin

The Battle of ClontarfThe Battle of Clontarf In the spring of In the spring of

1014, Brian1014, Brian’’s s army attempted to army attempted to

besiege Dublin besiege Dublin again.again.

The largest Viking The largest Viking army Ireland had army Ireland had ever seen were ever seen were ready to fight.ready to fight.

Irish Irish independence independence

was under threat.was under threat. A Viking ArmyA Viking Army

The Eve of BattleThe Eve of Battle BrianBrian’’s army set s army set

up camp in up camp in Clontarf.Clontarf.

The night before The night before the battle, Mael the battle, Mael

Sechnaill and Sechnaill and Brian had a row.Brian had a row.

Mael declared Mael declared that he would not that he would not now help the High now help the High

King.King.

The Battle of ClontarfThe Battle of Clontarf The Battle of The Battle of

Clontarf was Clontarf was fought on Good fought on Good

Friday, 1014.Friday, 1014. Brian was now 72 Brian was now 72

years old, did not years old, did not fight in the battle.fight in the battle.

Instead Murcadh, Instead Murcadh, his son, led his son, led

Brian’s forces.Brian’s forces.

The Battle of ClontarfThe Battle of Clontarf The battle began The battle began

at dawn and at dawn and lasted the entire lasted the entire

day.day. At the beginning, At the beginning,

it seemed that the it seemed that the Vikings were Vikings were

leading.leading. As the day grew As the day grew

longer however, it longer however, it seemed that the seemed that the Irish could win.Irish could win.

The Battle of ClontarfThe Battle of Clontarf Mael Sechnaill Mael Sechnaill

then decided to then decided to enter the battle.enter the battle. The Vikings The Vikings

caught out.caught out. They had arrived They had arrived

in over 300 ships, in over 300 ships, but fled home in but fled home in

less than 24 less than 24 boats.boats.

The death of Brian The death of Brian BoruBoru

Throughout the Throughout the battle, Brian battle, Brian

prayed in his tent.prayed in his tent. As he was fleeing, As he was fleeing,

Brodir, the Viking Brodir, the Viking king of the Isle of king of the Isle of Man, came across Man, came across

his his tent.tent. He killed the old He killed the old

king as he was king as he was bowed in prayer.bowed in prayer.

BrianBrian’’s greatest s greatest victoryvictory

Brian died alongside Brian died alongside his son, Murcadh, his son, Murcadh, and his grandson.and his grandson.

Yet he had broken Yet he had broken the military power of the military power of

the Vikings in the Vikings in Ireland.Ireland.

““Brian fell, but saved Brian fell, but saved his kingdom. his kingdom.

This Brian was the This Brian was the best of Kingsbest of Kings””

BrianBrian’’s greatest s greatest victoryvictory

Brian died alongside Brian died alongside his son, Murcadh, his son, Murcadh, and his grandson.and his grandson.

Yet he had broken Yet he had broken the military power of the military power of

the Vikings in the Vikings in Ireland.Ireland.

““Brian fell, but saved Brian fell, but saved his kingdom. his kingdom.

This Brian was the This Brian was the best of Kingsbest of Kings””