The Battle of Clontarf

Unrest in BrianUnrest in Brian’’s s KingdomKingdom

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 ran However, Brian ran out of supplies and out of supplies and

had to retreat to had 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 ClontarfIn the spring of In the spring of

1014, Brian1014, Brian’’s army s army attempted to 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 independence Irish independence was under threat.was under threat.

A Viking ArmyA Viking Army

The Eve of BattleThe Eve of Battle

BrianBrian’’s army set up s army set up camp in Clontarf.camp in Clontarf.

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

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

Mael declared that Mael declared that he would not now he would not now

help the High King.help the High King.

Disagreement in the CampDisagreement in the Camp

The Battle of ClontarfThe Battle of Clontarf

The Battle of The Battle of Clontarf was fought Clontarf was fought

on Good Friday, on Good Friday, 1014.1014.

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 Brian’s his son, led Brian’s

forces.forces.

The Battle of ClontarfThe Battle of ClontarfThe battle began at The battle began at

dawn and lasted dawn and lasted the entire day.the entire day.

At the beginning, it At the beginning, it seemed that the 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 ClontarfMael Sechnaill then Mael Sechnaill then decided to enter the decided to enter the

battle.battle.

The Vikings caught The Vikings caught out.out.

They had arrived in They had arrived in over 300 ships, but over 300 ships, but fled home in less fled home in less

than 24 boats.than 24 boats.

The death of Brian BoruThe death of Brian BoruThroughout the Throughout the

battle, Brian prayed battle, Brian prayed in his tent.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 victorys greatest victoryBrian died alongside Brian died alongside

his son, Murcadh, and his son, Murcadh, and his grandson.his grandson.

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

Vikings in Ireland.Vikings in 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””