The Life of Brian Boru

Contrary to the popular perception of Brian as the liberator of Ireland from foreign dominance, he purposely used outsiders to expand his authority. Brian "Boru" combined Irish tradition with innovation to become the most successful Irish king of his time. (David B. Beoughter)

~0941

c. 941 - Birth of Brian Boru

Year approximate. Parents: Cennétig mac Lorcain and Bé Binn inion Urchad

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~0951

951 - Death of Brian's Father

After Brian’s father, Cennétig mac Lorcáin dies in 951, the kingship of Tuadmumu passed to Brian's older brother, Mathgamain.

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~0956 - 0958

956 - Brian marries Mor.

Brian marries Mor, daughter of Eidigean of Ui Fhiachrach Aidhne.

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~0962

962 - Guerilla Raids

Brian leads his guerilla band on raids into Norse settlements.

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~0964

964 - Mathgamain Controls Munster

Brian's older brother, Mathgamain, claimed control over the entire province of Munster by capturing the Rock of Cashel, capital of the ancient Eóganachta, the hereditary overlords or High Kings of Munster, but who in dynastic strife and with multiple assassinations had weakened themselves to the point they were now impotent.

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~0967

967 - The Battle of Sulcoit

Norse king Ivar of Limerick was a threat and may have been attempting to establish some overlordship in the province or a region of it himself, with the Cogad Gaedel re Gallaib even asserting he actually achieved this until routed by Mathgamain in the celebrated Battle of Sulcoit (near Limerick Junction). This was the first battle in which Brian, now in his mid-twenties, distinguished himself, according to the slightly later history known as "Cogadh Gáedhel re Gallaibh" (‘The war of the Irish with the foreigners’).

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~0972

972 - Mathgamain Against the Norse

There is a brief alliance between Mathgamain, Máel Muad and others to drive the Norse "soldiers" or "officials" out of Munster and destroy their Limerick fortress.

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~0976

976 - Mathgamain is Murdered

When Mathgamain was killed, Brian replaced him as Dál gCais king. Subsequently he became the King of the entire kingdom of Munster.

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~0978

978 - The Battle of Belach Lechta

Brian challenged Máel Muad in 978 and defeated him in the fateful Battle of Belach Lechta

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~0982 - 0997

982 to 997 – Battles to Extend Control

From 982 to 997, High King Máel Sechnaill repeatedly led armies into Leinster and Munster, while Brian, like his father and brother before him, led his naval forces up the Shannon to attack Connacht and Meath on either side of the river.

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~0996

996 - Brian Controls Leinster

In 996 Brian finally managed to control the province of Leinster, which may have been what led Máel Sechnaill to reach a compromise with him in the following year, 997.

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~0998

998 - King of Leinster Overthrown

Because he had submitted to Brian's authority, the King of Leinster was overthrown in 998 and replaced by Máel Morda mac Murchada.

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~0999

999 - Battle of Glen Mama

Brian assembled the forces of the Province of Munster with the intention of laying siege to the Hiberno-Norse city of Dublin, which was ruled by Máel Morda's ally and cousin, Sigtrygg Silkbeard. Together Máel Morda and Sigtrygg determined to meet Brian's army in battle rather than risk a siege. Thus, in 999, the opposing armies fought the Battle of Glen Mama.

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~1000

1000 - Attack on Meath

In the year 1000, Brian led a combined Munster-Leinster-Dublin army in an attack on High King Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill's home province of Meath.

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~1002

1002 - Brian Recognised as Ard Rí

Brian was recognised as Ard Rí, High King of Ireland, thus ending the six hundred year reign of the Uí Néill’s in Leinster. Breaking from tradition, he ruled from Kincora. The Uí Néill king Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, abandoned by his northern kinsmen of the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill, acknowledged Brian as High King. The Cogadh Gaedhil re Gallaibh provides a story in which Brian challenges High King Máel Sechnaill to a battle at the Hill of Tara in the province of Meath, but the High King requests a month long truce so that he can mobilise his forces, which Brian grants him.

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~1005

1005 - "Emperor of the Irish"

Brian’s name was inscribed in the Book of Armagh, in gold lettering, as “Emperor of the Irish” during his campaign in the north of Ireland after he donated twenty-two ounces of gold to the monastery and declared that Armagh was the religious capital of Ireland.

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~1013

1013 - Rebellion and Challenges

Maelmordha rebelled against Brian’s rule, and then his ally Máel Sechnaill was attacked by the Cenél nEógain king Flaithbertach Ua Néill, with the Ulstermen as his allies.

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~23rd March 1014

March 23, 1014 - The Battle of Clontarf

Maelmordha and Sitric, along with Dane Vikings of Northern Ireland in Leinster and Dublin, as well as native Irish rivals to Brian, gathered their forces in rebellion to Brian at Clontarf on Good Friday. While Brian’s forces were victorious in the Battle of Clontarf, Brian, his son Murchad, and Máel Mórda were among those killed.

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The Life of Brian Boru

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Event

March 23, 1014 - The Battle of Clontarf

~23rd March 1014

Maelmordha and Sitric, along with Dane Vikings of Northern Ireland in Leinster and Dublin, as well as native Irish rivals to Brian, gathered their...

More
Event

1013 - Rebellion and Challenges

~1013

Maelmordha rebelled against Brian’s rule, and then his ally Máel Sechnaill was attacked by the Cenél nEógain king Flaithbertach Ua Néill, with the...

More
Event

1005 - "Emperor of the Irish"

~1005

Brian’s name was inscribed in the Book of Armagh, in gold lettering, as “Emperor of the Irish” during his campaign in the north of Ireland after he...

More
Event

1002 - Brian Recognised as Ard Rí

~1002

Brian was recognised as Ard Rí, High King of Ireland, thus ending the six hundred year reign of the Uí Néill’s in Leinster. Breaking from tradition,...

More
Event

1000 - Attack on Meath

~1000

In the year 1000, Brian led a combined Munster-Leinster-Dublin army in an attack on High King Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill's home province of Meath.

More
Event

999 - Battle of Glen Mama

~0999

Brian assembled the forces of the Province of Munster with the intention of laying siege to the Hiberno-Norse city of Dublin, which was ruled by Máel...

More
Event

998 - King of Leinster Overthrown

~0998

Because he had submitted to Brian's authority, the King of Leinster was overthrown in 998 and replaced by Máel Morda mac Murchada.

More
Event

996 - Brian Controls Leinster

~0996

In 996 Brian finally managed to control the province of Leinster, which may have been what led Máel Sechnaill to reach a compromise with him in the...

More
Event

982 to 997 – Battles to Extend Control

~0982 - 0997

From 982 to 997, High King Máel Sechnaill repeatedly led armies into Leinster and Munster, while Brian, like his father and brother before him, led...

More
Event

978 - The Battle of Belach Lechta

~0978

Brian challenged Máel Muad in 978 and defeated him in the fateful Battle of Belach Lechta

More
Event

976 - Mathgamain is Murdered

~0976

When Mathgamain was killed, Brian replaced him as Dál gCais king. Subsequently he became the King of the entire kingdom of Munster.

More
Event

972 - Mathgamain Against the Norse

~0972

There is a brief alliance between Mathgamain, Máel Muad and others to drive the Norse "soldiers" or "officials" out of Munster and destroy their...

More
Event

967 - The Battle of Sulcoit

~0967

Norse king Ivar of Limerick was a threat and may have been attempting to establish some overlordship in the province or a region of it himself, with...

More
Event

964 - Mathgamain Controls Munster

~0964

Brian's older brother, Mathgamain, claimed control over the entire province of Munster by capturing the Rock of Cashel, capital of the ancient...

More
Event

962 - Guerilla Raids

~0962

Brian leads his guerilla band on raids into Norse settlements.

More
Event

956 - Brian marries Mor.

~0956 - 0958

Brian marries Mor, daughter of Eidigean of Ui Fhiachrach Aidhne.

More
Event

951 - Death of Brian's Father

~0951

After Brian’s father, Cennétig mac Lorcáin dies in 951, the kingship of Tuadmumu passed to Brian's older brother, Mathgamain.

More
Event

c. 941 - Birth of Brian Boru

~0941

Year approximate. Parents: Cennétig mac Lorcain and Bé Binn inion Urchad

More
0941

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    The Life of Brian Boru

    Contrary to the popular perception of Brian as the liberator of Ireland from foreign dominance, he purposely used outsiders to expand his authority. Brian "Boru" combined Irish tradition with innovation to become the most successful Irish king of his time. (David B. Beoughter)

    NaN of 18 stories

    March 23, 1014 - The Battle of Clontarf
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