| Boru was born into
a Munster family in about 940 A.D. and grew up to
be a brilliant warrior and tactition. In 968 he
retook Cashel from the Danes and restored it as
the seat of the Kings of Munster. On the death of
his brother in 976 Boru became King of the
province and by 984 had gained supremacy over the
whole of the south of Ireland. In 1002, after
series of battles with Malachy (who ruled the
northern provinces from Tara), he gained control
of the whole country and was crowned 'Ard Ri' or
High King of Ireland. For the first time the
country was united under one leadership and from
this it prospered with many of the war damaged
monasteries being repaired and extended. However
in 1040 the Danes staged a rebellion in Dublin.
Boru met the rebel army on the shores of Clontarf
only to be slain at the moment of victory. The
battle ended Viking hopes of ruling the country
and firmly established the supremacy of the
Celtic High Kingship of Ireland. Brian Boru has
become a national hero who successfully united
his own people and defeated the foreign invaders.
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