Brian

Brian, a famous king of Ireland, the Brian Boromhe or Boru ('Brian of the tribute') of the old Irish historians. He succeeded his elder brother as chief of the Dal Cais, on the murder of the latter in 976, and after much fighting, made himself king of Cashel two years later. After establishing his rule over all Munster, he marched into Leinster, and was acknowledged as king by its chiefs in 984. King Brian supported a rude but princely state at his chief castle at Cenn Coradh, near the modern town of Killaloe, and he had also seats at Tara and Cashel. He formed an alliance with Maelschlainn Mac Domhnaill, chief king of Ireland, crushed with his help an outbreak of the Leinster men in 1000, next made terms with the Danes of Dublin, and with their help overpowered his late ally, compelled him to give him hostages, and thus made himself chief king of Ireland. He next carried his conquering sword to the west, subdued the Connaughtmen, and in their turn the men of the north. After marching from Meath to Armagh, he made a circuit of Ireland, taking hostages from all the territories through which he passed. Thus he had become Ardigh na Erenn, chief king of Ireland, and such he remained until his death. In 1013 war broke out again with the Danes of Dublin, who found some Irish allies. The great struggle took place at Clontarf, on the north side of Dublin Bay. The Danes were routed with great slaughter, never again to recover their strength in Ireland; but the aged hero perished in the battle, April 23, 1014. In his lifetime he had defeated the Danes in no less than twenty-five battles.