Leinster Revolts

The Leinster Revolts took place in the province of Leinster in Ireland in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. Both were instigated by the Irish-born King Brian Boru of Munster, who hoped to overthrow the Norse King Sitric Silkbeard of Dublin and seize his throne for himself.

Following the first revolt in 1000, Sitric's power was severely diminished. In 1006, he lamented that he had become little more than a lapdog to Brian. In the years that followed, Sitric's position was further destabilised by the second Leinster Revolt and the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. (AUDIO: The Book of Kells)