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THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MARCH 1993
WARREN B. FERGUSON
The Irish are a fiercely nationalistic people who invoke memories of trials and tribulations centuries past, as if they were yesterday. Indeed, nothing is forgotten and one of the most remembered tales is that of the High King, Brian Boru.
Brian Boru (Brian Boroimhe) began his career as the ruler of a small kingdom in what is now County Clare. He was a rather minor chieftain at first and he would have remained so, if it were not for the anarchistic condition of the Tenth Century. Social order established by the Brehons began to weaken as the various regional rulers sought to expand their range of influence.
In 978, after defeating and killing his predecessor, Brian became King of Munster. His ex-
Eansionist vision quickly rought him enemies across the land. In 980, the Ui Neill High King, Mael Sechnaill II, ruling at Tara, attacked Brian's homeland of DaT Cais. Brian retaliated with raids upon Ui Neill territories in Connacht. This continued, until 997, when the two met at Clonfert and divided Ireland between them.
Growing increasingly tired of this arrangement, Brian took to
BRIAN BORU
A Legend with a Lesson
arms and persuaded Mael Sechnaill to yield to him. He then extended his reach over the land until he consolidated his position and took for himself the title Imperator Scottorum,
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"Emperor of the Irish."
Brian's rise was clearly a violation of all legal precepts upon which Celtic kingship was based. Rule by the strongest replaced Brehon law. Evidence of Brian's strength lay in his ability to force many kings to
Eay him tribute, hence his name oroime or Boruma (Boru) which means "Taker of Tributes."
Nevertheless, there are indications of a beginning of an artistic and literary renaissance during his long reign. He was dedicated to rebuilding monasteries and schools and opening new trade and communication routes. Perhaps his greatest contribution to Irish history is that his tale represents an unsup-pressible Irish nation constantly struggling against invaders and yet sustaining a strong Celtic identity.
Ireland had been fighting off Viking raids since at least 793. By 1014, the Dublin Vikings with their Leinster allies were ready for confrontation with the force of Brian . Brian had previously crushed a revolt by the Leinstermen and the Dubliners in 999, and had imprisoned the
Leinster king and forced the Nordic king of Dublin, Sitric Silkenbeard, into submission.
The warring sides met again at Clontarf, close to the sea in Dublin Bay on April 23, (Good
Friday), where a great battle commenced.
Although Brian was too old to take active command, he watched from his guarded tent on the sidelines. The Ostmen numbered 2,000 men and were supported by the levies of Leinster and Dublin. Of those under the banner of Brian, their ranks were decreased when Mael Sechnaill withdrew his army and returned north.
The fray lasted all day, with great losses on both sides. Brian himself was slain with an axe by a fleeing Viking who caught sight of him. The Irish royal forces won a great victory, but lost one of Ireland's greatest sons. Brian's body was taken to Armagh and buried near the high altar with the dignity befitting a high king.
His army, weary and broken by the fighting, could not seize Dublin and retreated back to Kilcora, under the leadership of his son Taig. The victory at Clontarf has come down the centuries as the final suppressing blow against the Vikings by a unified Ireland. While this is not quite so, it nevertheless illustrated how the problems of Ireland could be solved by unification instead of enduring bitter regionalism. Brian's reign created a new national consciousness w hich continues even today. A militant view of Irish history has become increasingly important this century in the formation of Irish nationalist ideology.
Irishmen annually carry banners bearing the name of Brian, urging unification. Becoming a symbol of this sentiment is perhaps Brian Boru's greatest legacy.
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