Tales of Clontarf, literary and pseudo-historical, have resonated throughout the centuries and later Irish leaders, such as O’Connell, were often likened to Brian Boru. Yet, there is very little reliable historical evidence for the events at Clontarf ─ one of the most cited sources, Cogadh Gáedhel re Gallaibh dates from the twelfth century and bears the hallmarks of political propaganda.

Who was Brian Boru? Who were the Dál Cais? What led to the Battle of Clontarf? Is there any archaeological evidence from the site of the battle, and can we know exactly where it took place? What were the outcomes? What are the historical sources? Are they reliable? Why were the 18th and 19th century literary accounts so prolific? How has Clontarf impacted on Irish history? Why has Clontarf gained such a place in the public consciousness?

In an effort to address some of these questions, the Academy Library organised lecture series which you can listen to by clicking here.

 

Wednesday 25 February 

‘The Vikings in Ireland: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly’ – Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, MRIA

 

Wednesday 4 March

‘Winners and losers at the Battle of Clontarf’ – Seán Duffy

 

Wednesday 11 March

‘The Battle of Clontarf in Irish history and legend’ – Colm Lennon, MRIA

Wednesday 18 March

‘The Battle of Clontarf story in eighteenth- and nineteenth- century Irish manuscripts’ – Meidhbhín Ní Urdail

 

Wednesday 1 April

‘Dál Cais, Déis, Ó Briain-changing places, changing identities’ – Donnchadh Ó Corráin, MRIA

 

Wednesday 8 April

‘The Battle of Clontarf: the archaeological evidence?’- Stephen Harrison

 

Wednesday 22 May

‘Power and politics in late Viking-Age Denmark’ – Dr Anne Pedersen

‘Ireland, Norway and Iceland in the second half of the 13th century’ – Professor Jon Vidar Sigurdsson

Sponsored by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ireland and the Embassy of Denmark, Ireland.