Post #10249

The Battle of Clontarf occurred exactly 1,011 years ago. In 1014 AD Gaelic Irish forces, united under High King Brian Boru, successfully routed a host of Norse Viking invaders intent on expanding their foreign influence over the Irish nation. On the beaches of Clontarf, the foreign Viking invaders were dealt a mortal blow. The heroic sacrifice of all who fought on this day entered into the annals of Irish history through "Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib" (“The War of the Irish with the foreigners”), and is one of countless examples throughout Irish history proving that one of the truest characteristics of a great leader is to possess a sacrificial love of one's nation. The willingness of a leader to die so that their nation may live, to pay in blood what money can’t buy, is a quality worth more than gold. It is right that we remember Irish heroes, both sung and unsung, who fought for no reason other than this love of nation. The past was theirs. The future is ours. Cuimhnígí ar Chluain Tarbh Remember Clontarf