The Viking Invasions of Ireland, 795-1014: The Complete History

Over the course of the ninth and tenth centuries, the Viking Age was fully aflame across northwestern Europe. While the Danes assailed England and France, Norse attacks made Ireland an almost perpetual battleground. Vikings seized control of ports such as Dublin, Limerick, and Wexford, where they established powerful strongholds and thriving trading hubs. In response, Ireland’s kings grew more militant and more united under the high king, who would take the fight to the Vikings. We’ll explore the complete history of Ireland’s Viking Age, from the first raid on Rathlin Island in 795, to the epic Battle of Clontarf in 1014, in which Ireland’s celebrated High King Brian Boru faced the forces of the Norse King of Dublin, Sihtric Silkbeard.

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Sources:
-Adams, Max - The Viking Wars, (Pegasus Books, 2018)
-The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle - Illustrated and Annotated, (Bookzine, 2014)
-Annals of Ulster: A Chronicle of Irish Affairs, vol. 1: AD 431-1056, (Forgotten Books, 2018)
-Brownworth, Lars – The Sea Wolves: A History of the Vikings, (Crux, 2014)
-Ferguson, Robert - The Vikings, (Penguin, 2010)
-Gerald of Wales - The History and Topography of Ireland, trans. John O’Meara, (Penguin, 1983)
-Haywood, John - Northmen: The Viking Saga, AD 793-1241, (Head of Zeus, 2020)
-Winroth, Anders - The Age of the Vikings, (Princeton University, 2014)

Written, edited and narrated by J Stephen Roberts
Narrators: Lisa Porter, Tom Wylde, and J Stephen Roberts
Maps and animations by Denys Rodionov
Game footage: Total War: Thrones of Britannia

#Vikings #Ireland #IrishHistory

Images in this video are Fair Use
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.

[RealCrusadesHistory]

Get my book about the Crusades:

Support my work on Patreon:

[lollol-xlwe]

Ireland is s beautiful country with a unique history and culture, that is so rich on wisdom, kindness, strenght, mystery, knowledge and joy. I’ve especially loved the work of John O’Donahue.I’m looking forward to visiting your great country. Greetings from Norway.

[MiddleSpoon]

I was in Ireland on vacation 5 months ago. Visited many of the sites mentioned and even stayed at Clontarf. It's an amazing country, full of rich History!

[margaretgreenwood]

As an Englishwoman I had no idea as to Irish history. Thank you very very much for this education

[konigeurichderwestgoten]

As a kid in the 90s/early 2000s, I didn’t care much about live-action television, but give me a documentary or docu-drama on flower gardens or medieval warfare, I’d be glued to the screen. It’s not only insightful but comforting to me. Thank you very much.

Also, that little theme of yours, the plucking of a guitar or lyre? Goes great with the scenery.

[DaFroBroforeal]

Wow, what a dramatic saga. It’s good to know more about Ireland’s fascinating societies. In many other videos on this platform, the whole island is simply written off as “a land of petty kingdoms” and goes no further. Thanks for sharing this.

[benderrodriguez]

The only thing better then a fight, is another fight.
~Irish Viking~

[waynemcauliffe-fvyf]

My Irish ancestors come from County Cork and my surname means Son of Olaf. A Gaelic Tuath but some Scandi influence. Thought it was interesting

[chivalrousjack]

A few weeks ago, I finished "Why does the heathen rage?".
A real gripper, and true to the history.
I lost sleep, during the last several chapters.

[CSG]

Wow, this video was amazing. Very interesting. Everyone knows of Aethelstad and the English battles with the Danes. It was so cool learning of the Irish struggles with the invaders.

[nickh]

Being part Irish from my dads side, holding the name of Murphy / Murchadah / Sea Warrior, it is nice and interesting to see how my Norse ancestors moved into Ireland as most of this information was not known to me, well done team and very informative <3

[tempest_]

Excellent documentary. Thank you for sharing this.

[blaccbeard]

Ireland is in my top 10 of places i wanna visit before i die, and as a history buff this video just cemented that for me, id love to visit these sites

[DonalLeader]

Wonderful and dramatic presentation overturning much of what we learned in school. Clontarf will never be the same again!

[globalpropertyinvestment]

I do so hope that one day we will see a major Hollywood studio make a film about the life of Brian Boru - its a travesty that one has not been made yet.

[harrylyme]

William The Conqueror banned slavery in England. It was banned in his native France earlier. It is not much of a surprise the French speaking Norman English stopped slavery in Ireland. They did replace it with Serfdom in the Dublin Pale though.

[patrickmoriarty]

Great Graphics ~ really help telling the story👍

[austinalexander]

Imagine just the sheer amount of violence in those battles

[ThreeHistorians]

That’s an amazing video. 👍
Thank you for sharing it.

[jesselong]

Amazing video!!! I loved it, I love learning more of my history!!!! Please do more Irish history please ❤😊