Óttar of Dublin facts for kids

Viking Age Dublin

Óttar of Dublin was a powerful Norse-Gael leader. He became the King of Dublin and ruled from 1142 to 1148. In Irish, his name was Oitir Mac mic Oitir. He was also known as Óttar of the Isles or Óttar Óttarsson.

Life of Óttar

Óttar came from the Hebrides, a group of islands off the coast of Scotland. These islands were known as the Sudreyjar to the Vikings. In 1142, Óttar took control of the Kingdom of Dublin. Some historians believe the people of Dublin invited him to be their king.

Family Background

Records from the past describe Óttar in different ways. Some say he was the grandson of a man named Óttar. Others say he was the son of a man named Óttar. It's possible that both are correct, meaning his father and grandfather might have both been named Óttar.

One of his ancestors was likely Jarl Óttar, a powerful leader who died in 1098. This Jarl Óttar controlled half of the Isle of Man. A jarl was a high-ranking chief or noble, similar to an Earl. Óttar of Dublin himself was probably a jarl, even if the records don't always use that exact title for him.

The Óttar Family Dynasty

Óttar of Dublin belonged to a family often called the 'dynasty of Óttars'. Many members of this family were named Óttar. They were active around the Irish Sea for many centuries. They often worked with another powerful family, the Uí Ímair. Their influence stretched from northern Scotland all the way to southern Ireland.

Cross and round tower at Kells, Meath

Events in Ireland

After becoming king of Dublin, Óttar led attacks on other places. According to one account, he burned the church at Kells and took valuable items from the town. This happened around 1143 or 1144. At that time, the church in Kells was not yet called a "cathedral."

Fighting in Wales

In 1144, an Óttar from Dublin was involved in fighting in Wales. He was working as a mercenary, which means he was a soldier hired to fight for money. This Óttar was either the king himself or perhaps his son, who also had the same name.

He went to Wales to help Cadwaladr ap Gruffydd against his brother, Owain Gwynedd. Óttar's men arrived by ship and tried to force Owain to give Cadwaladr his lands back. However, things went wrong. Óttar's men took Cadwaladr hostage and demanded a large payment for his release. Cadwaladr managed to escape and made peace with his brother. Owain then forced the Dubliners to leave Wales.

Sharing Power in Dublin

For a time, Óttar shared power in Dublin with Ragnall mac Torcaill. Ragnall was likely a less powerful ruler under Óttar. In 1145 or 1146, Ragnall was killed in a battle against people from County Meath. About 200 people from Dublin died in this fight, including Ragnall and other leaders.

Óttar's Death

Óttar remained in control of Dublin until 1148. He was "treacherously killed" by the Meic Torcaill family. This family was related to Ragnall mac Torcaill. It seems that Óttar and the Meic Torcaill family worked together at first. But then, a disagreement over who should rule led to Óttar's death.

Óttar's Family

Óttar was married to a woman named Helga. She was the daughter of Tolokunger, a Danish military leader. Óttar and Helga had a son named Thorfinus. Thorfinus was described as a very powerful jarl in the Western Isles.

Some members of the Cotter family in County Cork, Ireland, believe they are descended from Óttar. Their original family name was Mac Oitir, which means "son of Óttar." They trace their family line through Óttar's son Thorfin and his grandson Therulfe.

Óttar in Fiction

Óttar, using the Irish spelling Otir, appears as a character in the book The Summer of the Danes. This book is part of the Brother Cadfael mystery series by Ellis Peters. The story uses the real historical event of Cadwaladr ap Gruffydd trying to get his lands back with help from a "Danish" fleet as its background.

See also

• Kingdom of Dublin
• Norse–Gaels
• Cotter family
• Ohthere