In the first of our new cover story series on ‘Great Irish Leaders’ Denis J. Hickey tells the story of the life of Brian Ború who reigned as the High King of Ireland from 1002–1014.

 

The Dál Cais were an ancient sept of Milesian origin whose stronghold was at Kincora (Ceann Coradh, Head of the Weir) in Co. Clare. Their first chief Rebachán mac Mothlai (d.934) was also abbot of Tuamgraney, Co. Clare. He was succeeded by Cinnéidh one of whose twelve sons was Brian (later Brian Ború).

In 943, Cinnéidh formed an alliance with Ó Ceallachán, King of Munster, but reneged on the agreement a year later, killing two of Ó Ceallachán’s sons. The rise of the Dál Cais under Cinnéidh was inexorably linked to the fall of the once-powerful Eóganacht who had ruled Munster for centuries. The reversal of power ultimately allowed the Dál Cais to seize the provincial throne of Cashel while the Eóganacht retired to Desmond (south Munster).

On the death of Cinnéidh in 951 the leadership passed to his eldest son Lachtna (Lorcan) who died two years later. He was succeeded by his brother, Mahon, who raided Clonmacnoise in 959, but suffered two reversals in 963.

Munster of the era was largely in the hands of the Limerick Vikings who exacted tribute from all including Mahon.
Brian, rather than submit, took to the mountains to wage guerilla warfare against the invaders. Mahon attacked and burned Limerick in 967.

Now aided by Brian and King Cahal of Delvin Mór, Mahon defeated an O’Donovan-Molloy and allied Viking force at the Battle of Sulchóid (Solheadbeg) in 968 and took O’Donovan hostage. Limerick was sacked and its treasures filled Dál Cais coffers. The Vikings were allowed retain possession of Limerick on payment of 365 tuns (11,680 gallons) of wine.

The fate of Munster – and Ireland – was determined in 974 when Mahon was treacherously slain by a group of Molloys and O’Donovans and the Dane, Ivar. Learning of Mahon’s murder, we are told by his scribe that a grief-stricken Brian took down his favourite harp and chanted:
My heart shall burst within my breast,
Unless I avenge this great king.
They shall forfeit life for this foul deed,
Or I must perish by a violent death.

Mahon was waked at Cashel in a ceremony that befitted his kingly status. As hundreds stood in silent tribute, Brian took the Crown of Munster from his brother’s chest and placed it upon his own head to the cheers of the assembled warriors. Mahon’s murderer Molloy, fell to the dagger of Brian’s son, Murrough, some two years later.
Brian was installed Chief of the Dál Cais in 976. The Munster he inherited was again in part under the rule of the Limerick Vikings.

From his Kincora stronghold Brian emerged in 977 to wreak a terrible revenge on the murderers of his brother: The entire Viking inhabitants of Inis Chathaigh (Scattery Island) estimated at 750, were put to the sword, along with the O’Donnells and kinfolk. Brian is said to have personally slain the Dane, Ivar, whose two sons were also killed.

In his blood lust, by slaying some of Mahon’s killers within the island church where they had sought refuge, Brian violated the age-old laws of ecclesiastical sanctity. A year later he defeated and killed Máel Muad Braid, King of Munster at the battle of Belach Lechta on the Ballyhoura Hills that skirt the Limerick-Cork border. In 982 while Brian was plundering Malachy’s Ossory territory, Malachy invaded Clare and cut down the sacred oak of Mágh Adair under which Dalcassian leaders had traditionally been crowned. In 985, in response to a Déise attack on his supporters, Brian laid waste much of Déise territory – although he had formed an alliance with the Danes of Waterford the previous year.

With Munster subjugated, Brian set sights on the brightest crown of all – that of the Árd Rí and Tara where Malachy sat uneasily on his throne. The Munster king was now raiding deep into the High King’s Ossory territory. Yet, aware of Brian’s alliance with the Vikings of Waterford, Malachy was reluctant to face him in combat.

In 988, Brian deployed his considerable naval power in an expedition against Connacht. Leitrim and Cavan were also raided via the River Shannon in 993. Malachy, however, enjoyed success against the men of North Munster in 990.

In 995, Brian set about reinforcing and improving his Munster strongholds including his Cashel seat. By 996, he was undisputed leader of the southern half of the island. He had also subdued Leinster, occupied Dublin for a period, raided its coffers and banished King Sitric Silkenbeard.

Continue reading in this week’s Ireland’s Own