The Vikings in Ireland The Vikings first came

The Vikings in Ireland The Vikings first came to Ireland in AD 795. They attacked a monastery on Lambay Island, off the coast of Dublin. At first, the Vikings attacked monasteries and towns. They stole treasure and burned down houses. They would then sail away leaving destruction and death behind them.

The Vikings in Ireland Later, the Vikings decided to stay in Ireland after these attacks. They settled in areas on the coast or at the mouths of rivers. They set up our first towns. The Vikings were so settled in Ireland that some of them even started to marry Irish people. Did you know? Dublin, Waterford, Cork and Limerick are just some of the towns founded by the Vikings!

Brian Boru Not everybody was happy about the Vikings settling in Ireland. One of these people was the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. By the time Brian Boru became High King of Ireland, the Vikings had been in Ireland for over 200 years. Did you know? Before Brian Boru was High King of Ireland he was King of Munster for many years.

Brian Boru Dublin was under the control of the Vikings at this point. King Sitric was the Viking leader at this time. Brian Boru decided he wanted to take back control of Dublin. In 1014, he gathered a large, strong army of Irishmen and marched towards Dublin to fight the Vikings.

Brian Boru King Sitric heard about Brian Boru’s plan. He knew his army would be strong and he decided he needed help from other Vikings nearby. King Sitric sent word to Vikings in Iceland, Britain and the Isle of Man. Soon Dublin Bay was full of Viking longboats. On board these boats were hundreds of Vikings ready for battle.

Brian Boru On Good Friday, 1014, the two sides came face to face at Clontarf, north Dublin. The battle began. It was a gruesome battle that lasted all day. Many lives were lost on both sides.

Brodir Eventually, the Vikings were defeated and they began to retreat. As the Vikings were retreating, a Viking called Brodir attacked Brian Boru and killed him. Brian Boru’s son and grandson also died that day in Clontarf. The Battle of Clontarf brought an end to the power of the Vikings in Ireland. The Vikings that remained in Ireland began to live peacefully in their towns and eventually they became part of the Irish people.