Book on Aileach and the vikings
A new book examining the kings of Aileach and their wars with the vikings near Derry has been published by Four Courts Press in Dublin.
‘The Kings of Aileach and the Vikings AD 800-1060’ by historian Darren McGettigan sheds light on a fascinating era of local history when the local Gaelic chieftaincy based at Grianán clashed with the newly-arrived norse invaders at Lough Foyle.
A former tutor of history at UCD Mr. McGettigan explains how “the kings of Aileach came to prominence in the north of Ireland c.AD 800, just as the first Viking fleets began to raid the coasts of Ulster. At first, Viking activity in this area followed a similar pattern to raiding activity elsewhere on the island. But it began to diverge after 866 when Áed Findliath, a high-king of Ireland from the Cenél nEógain dynasty, destroyed Scandinavian settlements in what is now Co. Antrim.”