The Ancient Irish King Brian Bórú
Brian Bórú, also called Brian mac Cennetig or Brian Boroimhe in Gaelic, was born in Munster, Ireland in about the year 940 A.D. He was a member of the Dal Cais (or Delcassians) tribe and he was the brother of Mahon, who became King of Munster after the death of their father, whose name was Cenn-tig.1
At the time of Brian’s childhood, Viking invaders (or Norsemen) often attacked Ireland. Many of the Irish people either sided with the Norsemen or belonged to small kingdoms that fought among themselves constantly.
King Mahon wanted peace with the Vikings and he tried to achieve it, but Brian Bórú didn’t want the peace. He hated the Vikings because in his childhood, Bórú witnessed the death of his mother and much of the Dal Cais tribe in a Norse raid. So now Brian was a supporter of warfare with Vikings.
When he was old enough, Bórú broke away from his brother to wage guerrilla warfare on the Norse. A skilled negotiator, he won many important victories that made the Vikings fear the Irish.
Bórú’s attacks also helped to spread rumors that there was a large, secret Delcassian army. Bórú’s campaign gained much popular support and many Irishmen joined him, including his brother Mahon, who no longer wanted peace with the Vikings. These joined forces were able to drive most of the Norse from Southern Ireland, including their leader Ivar (also known as Imar).2
Ten years later, Ivar returned and he captured and killed King Mahon. Brian Bórú now became king of Munster. Soon afterwards, his army met with the army of Ivar. Brian challenged him to a duel. Ivar was killed and the Viking influence in Southern Ireland for a short while fell apart.
Bórú’s power continued to grow throughout Southern Ireland and he became known for rebuilding many of the churches and other monuments that had been destroyed by the Norsemen.
In North Ireland, Malachy II’s forces defeated a Norse army that was trying to take Dublin in 980 A.D. Soon, Malachy became King of Meath. The two kings, Malachy and Brian met in 998 and agreed to divide Ireland between them. Bórú received the South and Malachy the North. But Bórú, had too much support, even in Northern Ireland, so eventually Malachy allowed Bórú to peacefully take Northern Ireland. Bórú was granted the title "Ard Ri", meaning "High King". This made him one of the first kings to successfully unite Ireland under one monarch.3
But many people opposed Brian Bórú, such as some native Irish and the remaining Norse. In 1013, Maelmordha, King of Leinster, revolted against Bórú and allied with the Vikings. They made an army from Bórú's other Irish rivals and with warriors from the Viking nations, as far away as Normandy and Iceland.4
The forces of the Norse and rebel Irish met with those of Brian Bórú on Good Friday in the year 1014 at Clontarf. Nearly 4,000 Irishmen were killed at the Battle of Clontarf, including Brian's son Murrough, but the Viking and Leinster forces suffered even heavier losses. Brian’s troops were unexpectedly powerful, and they won the day. At the end of the battle, what little remained of the Norse forces retreated to their ships. But before all the invaders fled, a small group of Norsemen went to Brian's tent and decided that if they couldn't have Ireland, they would at least kill the High King. Brian was able to kill several of the men but King Brodar of Man struck Bórú a mortal wound. Before he died, Brian was able to avenge himself by beheading Brodar.5
But not all accounts credit Bórú with leading the Irish troops to battle that day. One story says that his sons led the Irish army to the decisive victory over the Vikings. Brian, who was too old to fight, was awaiting news of the battle when he was slain in his tent by a Viking intruder. Yet another source tells that Brian Bórú was praying in his tent after the battle when a Viking stabbed him from behind.6
With the death of High King Brian Bórú, Ireland soon fell into chaos and rebellion. There would never be another king powerful enough to rule all of Ireland. But Bórú ended 200 years of domination by the Norsemen. His rule was a “Golden Age” of building, restoration of the Church, and the development of Irish culture.7
Today, Bórú is also known as the founder of the Clan O'Brien, as well as the creator of one of the symbols most commonly associated with Ireland and also the symbol used as Guinness's beer logo: the "Brian Bórú Harp".8
