Ivar of Waterford facts for kids

Ivar of Waterford was a powerful Norse (Viking) king who ruled Waterford in Ireland. He was king from at least 969 until he died in the year 1000. He also ruled as King of Dublin for a few short periods.

Reginald's Tower in Waterford, a strong building that might have been built by Ivar's family. The top part was added later by the Normans.

Ivar was likely part of an important Viking family called the Uí Ímair dynasty. This family had many powerful leaders. Some historians believe he was a grandson of Ragnall ua Ímair, a strong Viking king who ruled in Northumbria (part of England) and also raided Munster from Waterford in the early 900s. Ivar had children and grandchildren who were also named Ragnall, which supports this idea.

Ivar's Adventures and Rule

Ivar had a long and busy life as a king. His first known action was in 969. He teamed up with Mathgamain mac Cennétig to defend the Osraige people from an attack by the King of Leinster.

After the King of Dublin, Amlaíb Cuarán, retired and died around 980, Ivar may have become a leader for the Norse-Irish people. They were trying to resist Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, a powerful Irish king.

In 982, Ivar attacked and looted Kildare, which was in Máel Sechnaill's territory. The next year, he joined forces with the King of Leinster to fight Máel Sechnaill. However, Ivar's side lost badly, and many of his men, including his son Gilla Pátraic, were killed. After this, Máel Sechnaill attacked Leinster.

A year later, in 984, Ivar formed an alliance with Brian Bóruma, who would later become a very famous High King of Ireland. Ivar also teamed up with the kings of Mann and the Isles. Together, their armies attacked Leinster and Dublin. This alliance between Ivar's family and Brian Bóruma's family may have helped Brian become a powerful ruler in Ireland later on.

Ruling Dublin

In 993, Ivar was forced out of Dublin by Sigtrygg Silkbeard, who was the brother of the previous King of Dublin. Some records say this happened "through the help of the saints."

A year or two later, in 994 or 995, Ivar managed to kick Sigtrygg out of Dublin and became king again. But his rule didn't last long. Sigtrygg returned in 995 and forced Ivar out of Dublin for good.

Ivar's last known action was a raid in Leinster in 998. His army lost some men and most of their horses. The old records say he died two years later, in the year 1000, but they don't say how.

One old history book from the 1600s says that Ivar once joined forces with another Irish king to invade Munster. They looted a lot of the land before being defeated by Brian Bóruma, who then burned Waterford as revenge.

Some historians also think Ivar might have led Viking raids in southwestern England in the early 980s. He was a very active Norse-Irish ruler at that time.

Ivar's Family

Ivar's wife or wives are not fully known. One of his wives might have been the daughter of an Irish king named Donnubán mac Cathail. Another might have been from the Osraige royal family.

Ivar had several known children and grandchildren:

• Gilla Pátraic (died 983) – His name suggests a connection to the Osraige people and also that he was Christian.
• Ragnall (died 995)
• Donndubán (died 996) – This was a very rare name. He was killed by the people of Leinster.
• Ragnall mac Ímair (died 1018) – He became King of Waterford after Ivar.
  • One of his sons died in 1015.
  • Ragnall mac Ragnaill (died 1035) – He also became King of Waterford.
• Sihtric mac Ímair (died 1022) – He was also King of Waterford.

Ivar's family was involved in many conflicts and alliances with other Irish and Viking families.

See also

• List of rulers of Waterford