Battlefields›Battle of Limerick (968)
Early Medieval

Battle of Limerick (968)

968
Limerick, Ireland
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Limerick, Ireland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Norse of Limerick (Ivar of Limerick)
Forces
Norse Limerick c.800–1,200; pitched battle.
VS
Victor
Mathgamain and Brian Boru (Dal Cais)
Forces
Mathgamain/Brian c.1,500–2,500
Outcome
Dal Cais sack and destroy the Norse longphort at Limerick
The Battle

History & Significance

Mathgamain and his brother Brian Boru destroyed the Norse longphort at Limerick, one of the most important Viking bases in Ireland. The Annals of Inisfallen record the brothers carrying off enormous plunder. This was a formative military experience for Brian Boru.

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