Ruaidrí at Sláine
Archived: 27 October 2026
Abstract
The year 946 sits in a difficult but revealing stretch of Irish history. It was a time when the claim to be king of Ireland was real enough to inspire campaigns, alliances and tribute, but not strong enough to make the island a single kingdom. Power rested in regional dynasties, church federations and the new Hiberno-Scandinavian town of Dublin. In the midlands and north-east, two Uí Néill contenders, Congalach Cnogba of Brega and Ruaidrí ua Canannáin of Cenél Conaill, were testing one another’s strength. Dublin’s ruler, Amlaíb Cuarán, was not an outsider to that contest: his forces could be allies,