Brian Boru

Brian Boru (c. 941 – 23 April 1014, Old Irish: Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig; Middle Irish: Brian Bóruma; modern Irish: Brian Bóramha) was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated Leinster, eventually becoming King of Ireland. He is the founder of the O'Brien dynasty.

With a population of under 500,000 people, Ireland had over 150 kings, with greater or lesser domains. The Uí Néill king Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, abandoned by his northern kinsmen of the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill, acknowledged Brian as High King at Athlone in 1002.

In the decade that followed, Brian campaigned against the northern Uí Néill, who refused to accept his claims, against Leinster, where resistance was frequent, and against the Norse-Gaelic Kingdom of Dublin.

Brian's hard-won authority was seriously challenged in 1013 when his ally Máel Sechnaill was attacked by the Cenél nEógain king Flaithbertach Ua Néill, with the Ulstermen as his allies. This was followed by further attacks on Máel Sechnaill by the Dubliners under their king Sihtric Silkbeard and the Leinstermen led by Máel Mórda mac Murchada. Brian campaigned against these enemies in 1013.

Brian Boru (horse)

Brian Boru (foaled 16 March 2000), is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in the Britain but trained in Ireland. In a career which lasted from June 2002 until December 2004, he ran eighteen times and won four races. Brian Boru was made favourite for the Epsom Derby after winning the Racing Post Trophy in 2002. In September 2003 he recorded his most important win when winning the St Leger at Doncaster.

Background

Brian Boru is a dark bay horse with a narrow white blaze bred by Juddmonte Farms. He was sired by the thirteen time Leading sire in Great Britain and IrelandSadler's Wells out of the Park Hill Stakes winner Eva Luna (USA). Eva Luna later produced Sea Moon, who won the Great Voltigeur Stakes and finished second in the Breeders' Cup Turf. She was also the dam of Soviet Moon, who in turn produced the Epsom Derby winner Workforce. Before his racing career began, Brian Boru was aqcuired by the Coolmore organisation. He was sent into training with Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle and raced in the colours of Susan Magnier, the wife of John Magnier.

Brian Boru (disambiguation)

Brian Boru was High King of Ireland from 1002 to 1014.

Brian Boru may also refer to: