Kingdom of Dublin

Norse-Gael state on the eastern coast of Ireland from 853 to 1170

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Kingdom of Dublin

Dyflin
Duibhlinn

853–1170

Maximum extent of Dublin (pink) and other Norse settlements (green) in Ireland

Capital| Dublin
Common languages| Old Norse,
Old and Middle Irish
Religion

| Norse paganism
Roman Catholicism
Government| Monarchy
King|

• c. 853–871 (first)

| Amlaíb Conung

• c. 1160–1170 (last)

| Ascall mac Ragnaill
History|

• Established

| 853

• Norman conquest

| 1170
Currency| Silver penny

Preceded by | Succeeded by

|

|  | Ciannachta

|

| Cualu
| Lordship of Ireland |

|

Today part of| Ireland

The Kingdom of Dublin (Old Norse: Dyflin[1]) was a Norse kingdom in Ireland that lasted from roughly 853 AD to 1170 AD. It was the first and longest-lasting Norse kingdom in Ireland, founded by Vikings who invaded the territory around Dublin in the 9th century. Its territory corresponded to most of present-day County Dublin.

## History

[edit]

The first reference to the Vikings comes from the Annals of Ulster and the first entry for 841 AD reads: "Pagans still on Lough Neagh". It is from this date onward that historians get references to ship fortresses or longphorts being established in Ireland. The Vikings may have first over-wintered in 840–841 AD. The actual location of the longphort of Dublin is still a hotly debated issue. Norse rulers of Dublin were often co-kings, and occasionally also Kings of Jórvík in what is now Yorkshire. Under their rule, Dublin became the biggest slave port in Western Europe.[2][3] The hinterland of Dublin in the Norse period was named in Old Norse: Dyflinnar skíði, lit. 'Dublinshire'.[4]: 24

Over time, the settlers in Dublin became increasingly Gaelicized. They began to exhibit a great deal of Gaelic and Norse cultural syncretism, and are often referred to as Norse-Gaels.[citation needed]

In 988, Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill led the initial Gaelic conquest of Dublin. As a result, the founding of Dublin is counted by some from the year 988, although a village had existed on the site of Dublin nearly a thousand years earlier.[citation needed]

Coins were minted in Dublin by about 995, and on Mann by about 1025.[5]

In the mid-11th century, the Kingdom of Leinster began exerting influence over Dublin. The last king of Dublin was killed by the Norman conquerors of Dublin in 1171.[citation needed]

## Geography

[edit]

The extent of the kingdom varied, but in peaceful times it extended roughly as far as Wicklow (Wykinglo) in the south, Glen Ding near Blessington, Leixlip (Lax Hlaup) west of Dublin, and Skerries, County Dublin (Skere) to the north. The Fingal area north of Dublin was named after the Norse who lived there.[citation needed]

## Kings of Dublin

[edit]

Ruler | Reign | Notes

|
|

Amlaíb Conung | c. 853–871 | Co-king; titled "King of the Foreigners" in 863
Ímar | c. 857–873 | Co-king; titled "King of the Foreigners" in 863; titled "King of the Northmen of all Ireland and Britain" in 873
Auisle | c. 863–867 | Co-king; titled "King of the Foreigners" in 863
Oistin mac Amlaíb* | 873–875 | Probable co-king; not explicitly named as king in the annals
Bárid mac Ímair | 873–881 | Probable co-king; titled "head of the Northmen" in 881
Albann^ | 875–877 | Claimed Dublin but never ruled
Sichfrith mac Ímair | 881–888 |
Sitriuc mac Ímair | 888–893/896 | Rulership disputed by Sitriuc Jarl in 893
Sichfrith Jarl^ | 893-? | Claimed Dublin in 893 but unclear if ever ruled
Glúniarann* | ? | Not explicitly named as king in the annals; speculated to have succeeded Sitriuc
Ímar ua Ímair | ?-902 | Driven from Dublin in 902 by native Irish
Dublin abandoned by the Norse from 902 to 917.
Sihtric ua Ímair (a.k.a. Sihtric Cáech) | 917–921 | defeated Niall Glundub; also king of Jórvík
Gofraid ua Ímair | 921–934 | grandson of Ímar
Olaf Guthfrithson | 934–941 | son of Gofraid ua Ímair
Blácaire mac Gofrith | 941–945 |
Sigtrygg (Sitric)[citation needed] | 941–943 |
Amlaíb Cuarán | 945–947 |
Blácaire mac Gofrith | 947–948 | restored
Gofraid mac Sitriuc | 948–951 |
Amlaíb Cuarán | 952–980 | restored
Glúniairn | 980–989 |
Ivar of Waterford or Sigtrygg Silkbeard | 989–993 |
Ivar of Waterford | 994–995 |
Sigtrygg (Sitric) Silkbeard Olafsson | 995–1036 |
Echmarcach mac Ragnaill | 1036–1038 |
Ímar mac Arailt | 1038–1046 |
Echmarcach mac Ragnaill | 1046–1052 |
Murchad mac Diarmata | 1052–1070 |
Diarmait mac Mail na mBo | 1070–1072 |
Toirdelbach Ua Briain | 1072 | Member of the Uí Briain; seized overlordship of Dublin following Diarmait's death; given kingship by the Dubliners in 1072; allowed Dublin to be locally ruled by Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill under his overlordship.
Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill | 1072–1075 | Member of the Meic Ragnaill (Uí Ímair); ruled under the overlordship of Toirdelbach; expelled from kingship by Toirdelbach in 1075; possibly identical to Gofraid mac Sitriuc, King of the Isles (died 1070).
Domnall mac Murchada | 1075 | Member of the Meic Murchada (Uí Chennselaig); gained kingship following the expulsion of Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill; may have seized Dublin without the consent of the Uí Briain, or else ruled under their overlordship; died within the year.
Muirchertach Ua Briain | 1075–1086 | Member of the Uí Briain; installed king by his father, Toirdelbach.
Donnchad mac Domnaill Remair | 1086–1089 | Member of the Uí Cheinnselaig; seized kingship following death of Toirdelbach; killed in 1089; control of Dublin appears to have been gained by Muirchertach not long afterwards.
Gofraid Crobán | c. 1091–1094 | Possibly a close relative of Ímar mac Arailt and thus a member of the Uí Ímair; founder of the Crovan dynasty; ruler of the Isles; seized kingship in about 1091 and expulsed by Muirchertach in 1094.
Domnall mac Taidc |  | Member of the Meic Taidc (Uí Briain); possibly installed king by his uncle, Muirchertach, after Gofraid Crobán's expulsion; certainly installed as ruler of the Isles at about this time.
Domnall Gerrlámhach |  | Member of the Uí Briain; possibly installed king by his father, Muirchertach, after Gofraid Crobán's expulsion; certainly held kingship at a later date.
Magnús berfœttr | 1102–1103 | Ruler of Norway; appears to have seized Dublin in the early twelfth century, having taken Orkney and the Isles before the turn of the century; seems to have intended for his son, Sigurðr, to rule as king of these newly won overseas Norse territories.
Domnall Gerrlámhach |  | Defended Dublin from Leinster attack in 1115; possibly installed king by his father long before battle, immediately before, or immediately afterwards.
Diarmait mac Énna meic Murchada | ×1117. | Member of the Meic Murchada (Uí Chennselaig); died 1117.
Domnall Gerrlámhach | 1117–1118 | Seized kingship after Diarmait 's death.
Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair | ×1118 | Member of the Uí Conchobair; drove Domnall Gerrlámhach from kingship.
Énna Mac Murchada | ×1122–1126 | Member of the Meic Murchada (Uí Chennselaig); either seized kingship or was installed king by Toirdelbach; reigned under Uí Conchobair overlordship.
Conchobar Ua Conchobair | 1126–1127 | Member of the Uí Conchobair; installed king by his father, Toirdelbach; deposed in 1126.
Conchobar Ua Briain | 1141–1142 | Member of the Uí Briain; gained kingship in 1141; died in 1142.
Ottar mac meic Ottair | 1142–1148 | Member of the Meic Ottair; gained kingship in 1142; slain by the Meic Torcaill in 1148; may not have reigned continuously from 1142 to 1148.
Ragnall mac Torcaill | 1144×1146 | Member of the Meic Torcaill; styled king on his death in 1146, which could be evidence that his reign interrupted that of Ottar; another possibility is that he was merely a subordinate of Ottar.
Brodar mac Torcaill | ×1160 | Member of the Meic Torcaill; killed in 1160.
Gofraid mac Amlaíb | 1150s or 1160s | Member of the Crovan dynasty; ruler of the Isles; held kingship of Dublin briefly at the behest of the Dubliners, although the chronology of his short reign is uncertain.
Ascall mac Ragnaill | ×1170 | Member of the Meic Torcaill; deposed in 1170; killed attempting to regain kingship in 1171.

^ Disputed * Speculative

## Timeline of Kings of Dublin

[edit]

## See also

[edit]

* Early Scandinavian Dublin
* Irish nobility
* The Pale
* Uí Ímair

## References

[edit]

### Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Clarke, Howard (1995). Medieval Dublin, the making of a metropolis. Irish Academic Press. p. 44\. ISBN 978-0716524595.
2. ^ Downham, Clare (May–June 2009). "The Viking slave trade: entrepreneurs or heathen slavers?". History Ireland. History Publications Ltd. Archived from the original on 9 August 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
3. ^ O'Donnell, Jim (23 April 2013). "The Slave Market of Viking Dublin". Around the World in Eighty Years. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
4. ^ Church, Peter J. (2021). "Why Are There Very Few Scandinavian Place-names in Ireland?" (PDF). Northern Studies. 52: 22–37.
5. ^ Barrett (2016) p. 4.

### Sources

[edit]

* Barrett, JH (2016). "Maritime Societies and the Transformation of the Viking Age and Medieval World". In Barrett, JH; Gibbon, SJ (eds.). Maritime Societies of the Viking and Medieval World. The Society for Medieval Archaeology Monograph (series vol. 37). Milton Park, Abingdon: Routledge. pp. 1–13\. doi:10.4324/9781315630755. ISBN 978-1-315-63075-5. ISSN 0583-9106.
* Downham, Clare, Viking Kings of Britain and Ireland: The Dynasty of Ívarr to A.D. 1014. Edinburgh. 2007.
* Downham, C (2007). "Living on the Edge: Scandinavian Dublin in the Twelfth Century.". In Ballin-Smith, B (ed.). West over Sea: Studies in Scandinavian Sea-Borne Expansion and Settlement before 1300. Leiden: Brill. pp. 33–52\. ISBN 978-90-47-42121-4.
* Forte, Angelo, Oram, Richard, & Pedersen, Frederik, Viking Empires. Cambridge University Press. 2005 ISBN 0-521-82992-5.
* Hudson, Benjamin T., Viking Pirates and Christian Princes: Dynasty, Religion, and Empire in the North Atlantic. Oxford. 2005 ISBN 0-19-516237-4.
* Larsen, Anne-Christine (ed.), The Vikings in Ireland. Roskilde: The Viking Ship Museum. 2001.
* Todd, James Henthorn (ed. and tr.), Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh: The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill. Longmans. 1867.
* Woolf, Alex, "Age of Sea-Kings: 900–1300", in Donald Omand (ed.), The Argyll Book. Edinburgh. 2004. pp. 94–109.

* v
* t
* e

Kings of Dublin

9th century|

* Amlaíb
* Ímar (Ivar)
* Auisle
* Albann^
* Oistin mac Amlaíb*
* Bárid mac Ímair
* Sichfrith mac Ímair
* Sitriuc mac Ímair
* Sichfrith Jarl^
* Glúniarann*
* Ímar ua Ímair

Sigtrygg Silkbeard (989–1029)

10th century|

* Sitric Cáech
* Gofraid ua Ímair
* Amlaíb mac Gofraid
* Blácaire mac Gofraid
* Gofraid mac Sitriuc
* Amlaíb Cuarán
* Glúniairn
* Ímar
* Sigtrygg Silkbeard

11th century|

* Echmarcach
* Ímar mac Arailt
* Echmarcach
* Murchad mac Diarmata
* Diarmait mac Máel na mBó
* Toirdelbach Ua Briain
* Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill
* Domnall mac Murchada
* Muirchertach
* Donnchad
* Muirchertach?
* Gofraid Crobán
* Domnall mac Taidc?
* Domnall Gerrlámhach?

12th century|

* Magnús berfœttr?
* Domnall Gerrlámhach
* Diarmait mac Énna
* Domnall Gerrlámhach
* Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair
* Énna Mac Murchada
* Conchobar Ua Conchobair
* Conchobar Ua Briain
* Ottir
* Ragnall?
* Ottir
* Brodar
* Gofraid mac Amlaíb
* Ascall

^ Disputed * Speculative

* v
* t
* e

History of Dublin

Timeline and general|

* Timeline of Dublin
* Timeline of the Troubles in Dublin
* Development and preservation in Dublin
* Dublin Corporation
* Irish Social Season
* Local government in Dublin
* Lord Mayor of Dublin
* List of monastic houses in County Dublin
* Sheriff of Dublin City
* Streets and squares in Dublin
* Dublin street corners
* Historical maps of Dublin
* List of songs about Dublin

Early Dublin|

* Steine of Dublin
* Hoggen Green
* Dublin slave market
* Bridge of Dublin
* Early Scandinavian Dublin
* History of Dublin to 795
* Kingdom of Dublin (c. 853-1170)
* Battle of Islandbridge (919)
* Burning of Caill Tomair (1000)
* Battle of Clontarf (1014)

Middle Ages|

* Black Monday (1209)
* The Pale
* Dublin Castle
* Donnybrook Fair
* Gates of Dublin
* St Patrick's Cathedral
* Christ Church Cathedral
* Rathborne Candles
* St. Audoen's Church
* St. Mary's Abbey
* St. Michan's Church
* The Tholsel

Early modern|

* Escape of Hugh Roe O'Donnell et al. from Dublin Castle (1592)
* Trinity College Dublin (est. 1592)
* Dublin gunpowder explosion (1597)
* Massacre of Baldongan Church (1642)
* Battle of Rathmines (1649)
* Siege of Dublin (1649)
* Smithfield Market (mid-1600s)
* The Brazen Head (est. 1661)
* Disappearance of the Ouzel Galley (1695)
* Dick's Coffee House (1698-1780)
* Georgian Architecture in Dublin (1700s)
* The Great South Wall (1700s) and Bull Wall (1820s)
* Dublin election riot (1713)
* Assassination of Henry Luttrell (1717)
* Drapier's Letters (1724-5)
* Linenhall (1728-1916)
* Hell Fire Club (1735-1741)
* Premiere of Handel's Messiah (1742)
* Daly's Club (1750-1823)
* Wide Streets Commission (1758-1851)
* Guinness Brewery (est. 1759)
* Royal Exchange (1779)
* Kildare Street Club (est. 1782)
* Richard Crosbie's balloon ascent (1785)
* The Grand Canal and Royal Canal (Early 1800s)
* Dublin quays (1800s)
* Irish Rebellion of 1803 (1803)
* Execution of Robert Emmet (1803)
* Construction of Martello Towers (1803-08)
* Sinking of Rochdale and Prince of Wales (1807)
* Military Road (1809)
* Dublin and Kingstown Railway (1834-56)
* Dublin Metropolitan Police (1836-1925)
* Sinking of the PS Queen Victoria (1838)
* Dún Laoghaire Harbour (1842)
* Hamilton's eureka moment at Broom Bridge (1843)
* Sinking of the Longford on the Royal Canal (1845)
* Great Industrial Exhibition (1853)
* Sinking of the RMS Tayleur (1854)
* Monto (red light district) (1860s-1950s)
* Wellington Monument (1861)
* Dublin Fire Brigade (est. 1862)
* International Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures (1865)
* Dublin tramways (1872-1959)
* Dublin whiskey fire (1875)
* Dublin Artisans' Dwellings Company (1876-1979)
* Phoenix Park Murders (1882)
* Dublin Castle scandal (1884)
* Kingstown lifeboat disaster (1895)

Late modern|

* Hill of Howth Tramway (1901-59)
* Irish International Exhibition (1907)
* Theft of the Irish Crown Jewels (1907)
* Dublin Lock-out (1913-14)
* Bachelor's Walk massacre (1914)
* Howth gun-running (1914)
* Easter Rising (1916)
* Introduction of Dublin Postal Districts (1917)
* Sinking of the RMS Leinster (1918)
* The First Dáil (1919-21)
* Bloody Sunday (1920)
* Cairo Gang (1920s)
* Burning of the Custom House (1921)
* Drumcondra ambush (1921)
* Battle of Dublin (1922)
* Hosting of the Tailteann Games (1924, 1928, 1932)
* Assassination of Kevin O'Higgins (1927)
* The O'Connell Bridge photographer (1930s-1985)
* Saint Patrick's Day parade (est. 1931)
* 1932 Eucharistic Congress
* 1933 Dublin riot
* Pearse Street fire (1936)
* Bombing of Dublin in World War II (1941)
* Baggotonia (1950s)
* Bloomsday commemorations (est. 1954)
* Dublin Housing Action Committee (1960s-1970s)
* Demolition of houses along Dublin's Georgian mile (1965)
* Destruction of Nelson's Pillar (1966)
* RTÉ Studio bombing (1969)
* Dublin fires (1970)
* Contraceptive Train (1971)
* Hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest (1971, 1981, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1997)
* Poolbeg Chimneys (1971)
* Burning of the British Embassy in Dublin (1972)
* Dublin bombings (1972-73)
* Mountjoy Prison helicopter escape (1973)
* Dublin and Monaghan Bombings (1974)
* Dublin Airport bombing (1975)
* "Save Wood Quay" (1978-79)
* Stardust fire (1981)
* "GUBU" (Malcolm MacArthur) (1982)
* Dublin Area Rapid Transit (1984)
* Hurricane Charley flooding (1986)
* Self Aid (1986)
* Students Against the Destruction of Dublin (1987-91)
* Dublin Millennium celebrations (1988)
* European Capital of Culture (1991)
* Local Government (Dublin) Act 1993 (1993)
* Lansdowne Road football riot (1995)
* Assassination of Veronica Guerin (1996)

Contemporary|

* Crumlin-Drimnagh feud (2000-2016)
* Hosting of the Special Olympics (2003)
* Spire of Dublin (2003)
* Luas (2004)
* May Day protests (2004)
* Dublin riots (2006)
* Dublin Port Tunnel (2006)
* Anti-austerity demonstrations (2008-15)
* 2008 floods (2008)
* Dublinbikes (est. 2009)
* Bank of Ireland robbery (2009)
* M50 motorway (2010)
* Slovak Police training explosives incident (2010)
* UNESCO City of Literature (2010)
* Silicon Docks (est. 2011)
* Occupy Dame Street (2011-12)
* Hutch–Kinahan feud (2015-to date)
* Occupation of Apollo House (2017)
* Dublin Tech Summit (est. 2017)
* The Beast from the East (2018)
* Coolock feud (2019-20)
* COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023)
* Dublin riots (2021)
* Irish anti-immigration protests (2022-to date)
* Dublin mass stabbing & riot (2023)

Annual sporting events|

* Dublin Horse Show (est. 1864)
* Hosting of the All-Ireland Football Final (est. 1888)
* Leopardstown Racecourse (est. 1888)
* Phoenix Park Racecourse (1902-1990)
* Hosting of the All-Ireland Hurling Final (est. 1912)
* Liffey Swim (est. 1920)
* Dublin–Limerick hurling rivalry (1923 - to date)
* Liffey Descent canoe race (est. 1960)
* Dublin Marathon (est. 1980)
* Women's Mini Marathon (est. 1983)
* Great Ireland Run (est. 2003)
* Art O'Neill Challenge (est. 2009)
* Dublin City Half Marathon (est. 2025)

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