Battlefields›Viking Raid on Iona (802)
Early Medieval

Viking Raid on Iona (802)

802
Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Rathlin Island monastery
Forces
Rathlin Island monastery: c. 30–80 monks and inhabitants.
VS
Victor
Norse Vikings
Forces
Norse raiders: c. 40–100 warriors
Outcome
Rathlin Island monastery burned
The Battle

History & Significance

Norse raids on Rathlin Island monastery off the Antrim coast. Rathlin was attacked repeatedly, with monks killed and slaves taken. The community eventually relocated to Kells in County Meath for safety — where the Book of Kells was likely completed.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Viking Raid on Iona (802)

Dun Aoidhean, Erraid, dun
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~4.2 miles
Knockvologan House, cairn 530m NW of
Scheduled monument · ~4.3 miles
Iona Marble Quarry, quarry NE of An t-Aird
Scheduled monument · ~4.8 miles
Torr a' Chaisteil, fort 950m SSE of Pottie
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~5.4 miles
Poit na h-I (Pottie), standing stone 365m NNE of
Scheduled monument · Bronze Age · ~5.8 miles
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