The Viking Invasions
Towards the end of the eight century, the Norwegian Vikings and the Danes changed from their previous tactics of sporadic pirate-like raids to full-scale invasions. Ireland was no exception. The eastern coast of Eire, or Ireland was subject to numerous raids and invasions. While the Danes focused more to the eastern areas, such as France, Normandy, and England, the Norwegians hit the Shetlands, Hebrides, Isle of Man, Iceland, and Ireland.
As the pressure on the area of Scotland intensified, the Dalradians, and the Picts joined together to oppose the invasions. Kenneth MacAlpin of the line Carbi Riada became the first king of the Picts and Scots.
The first Norseman, or Viking to make significant progress in Ireland was Turgesius. In the year 830 A.D. his fleet sailed silently up the river Shannon, and gained control of the provinces of Meath, Connacht, and Ulster. The Vikings, it is believed were searching for a land to settle as their homeland in Norway was not producing ample agriculture to sustain them. As a result, the Irish suffered greatly.
15 years passed while the Vikings remained in control of those provinces. Then, in 845 A.D. Turgesius was killed by Malachy, the Irish King of Meath. Prior to 848 A.D. the Irish had been fairly uneffective against the Norse invaders. Led by Malachy, High King of Ireland, the Irish destroyed the Norwegian army. It looked as though the Vikings were finally driven out of Ireland for good. This was not to be so.
By 852, the Vikings returned led by two fierce leaders. Ivar, and Olaf the White took the city of Dublin, and fortified the walls against the Irish. By 920, both Waterford, Limerick, Wexford, and Cork were in the hands of the Vikings. They next attempted to take the kingdom of Munster, where they were met by the Eugenian Callahan.
Callaghan of Cashel, a Cianacht, held the title of king of Munster. In a major sea battle, the Irish beat the Vikings to stop their threat upon Munster. Sitric, the Viking chief offered his daughter in marriage to Callaghan as a promise to cease hostilities against the Munstermen. Callaghan acepted and travelled to meet Sitric, but was unaware that this was a Viking trick to assassinate him and his nobles.
The ambush worked, and in a small, but bloody battle Callaghan and the son of Kennedy were captured. Some of Callaghan's party escaped and reported the crime to the other Munstermen who instantly took arms. Led by Kennedy, two large armies formed consisting of the Dalcassians, Eugenians, Clan Cian, and a numerous contingent of Ernans from Thomond. The second army was actually a navy consisting of the Ernans of Desmond led by their admiral Falvey the Fair. (Falbi Fionn)
When Sitric learned of the advancing army, he took his men aboard their ships and tied Callaghan to the mast. He then sailed out and waited for the Irish. The Irish fleet shot at the Vikings with all speed. Admiral Falvey attacked the lead Viking ship which carried Sitric and the tied Callaghan. Ramming the Viking vessal, he jumped aboard with two swords, one in each hand dueling the Viking warriors. Falvey cut loose Callaghan and together they fought their way out. As Callaghan escaped, Falvey was cut down and died aboard the Viking ship. Many men drowned in the battle as they were wearing such heavy armor. During the sea battle, the Cianachts and other Munstermen were forced to watch from the shore, unable to assist their navy. However, the Ernans destroyed the Vikings, sending them racing back to Norway.
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