BattlefieldsBattle of Loch Ree
Early Medieval

Battle of Loch Ree

845
Roscommon, Ireland
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Naval Engagement
Location
Roscommon, Ireland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Connacht and Meath Irish
Forces
c. 1,000–3,000 Irish forces.
VS
Victor
Norse Vikings
Forces
c. 600–1,500 Norse longships
Outcome
Vikings raid Lough Ree monasteries
The Battle

History & Significance

Norse longships sailed up the Shannon and raided the monasteries on the islands of Lough Ree, including Clonmacnoise (attacked multiple times). The Annals record the Vikings "plundering and burning" the islands. These raids deep into the Irish interior via the Shannon system demonstrated the reach of Viking power.

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