The Battle of Clontarf, Good Friday 1014 will be launched tomorrow (Wednesday 5 June) by broadcaster Joe Duffy of Liveline, RTE Radio 1, at the Gutter Bookshop, Cow's Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Time: 6–8pm.
The author of the colour-illustrated 156-page book is Darren McGettigan. He tells the story of the battle, fought on 23 April 1014, and its impact not just on medieval Ireland but also on the jarldom of Orkney (north and west Scotland). Brian Boru emerges from the pages not as the great reforming high-king of legend, but as a still highly ambitious and intelligent monarch, whose steely resolve led his army to victory.
The book is published by Four Courts Press, catalogue Price: €14.95.
Darren is also the author of Red Hugh O’Donnell and the Nine Years War (2005) and The Donegal Plantation and the Tír Chonaill Irish, 1610–1710 (2010).
If you would like to attend the launch, tel: +353 (0)1 453 4668 or email.