The
Battle of Clontarf was a battle that took place on 23 April 1014 at
Clontarf, near
Dublin, on the east coast of Ireland. It pitted the forces of
Brian Boru,
high king of Ireland, against a
Norse-
Irish alliance comprising the forces of
Sigtrygg Silkbeard,
king of Dublin,
Máel Mórda mac Murchada,
king of Leinster, and a Viking contingent led by
Sigurd of Orkney and
Brodir of
Mann. It lasted from sunrise to sunset, and ended in a rout of the Viking and Leinster forces. It is estimated that between 7,000 and 10,000 men were killed. Although Brian's forces were victorious, Brian himself was killed, as were his son Murchad and his grandson
Toirdelbach. Leinster king Máel Mórda and Viking leaders Sigurd and Brodir were also slain. After the battle, the Vikings of Dublin were reduced to a secondary power. Brian's family was temporarily eclipsed, and there was no undisputed high king of Ireland until the late 12th century.