Uí Ímair facts for kids

The Uí Ímair (pronounced "ee EE-wahr"), also known as the Ivar dynasty, was a powerful Norse-Gael family. They ruled a large area around the Irish Sea starting in the mid-9th century. This included the Kingdom of Dublin, parts of western Scotland (like the Hebrides), and some of Northumbria in northern England.

This family lost control of Scandinavian York in the mid-10th century. However, they continued to rule other lands at different times. It is hard for historians to know exactly which rulers were part of this family. This is because old family records are not always complete.

For about 30 to 40 years, the Uí Ímair were also the main rulers of the Kingdom of Scotland. They might have also ruled the Kingdom of Strathclyde. Later, they briefly controlled the Irish province of Munster from Waterford. They also briefly ruled the English kingdom of Mercia. In western Ireland, the Uí Ímair also provided at least two kings for Limerick. From there, they may have tried to take over Munster again.

Some women from this family were called queens of Ireland in old Irish writings. One was also queen of Mide and another queen of Munster. Another was queen of Leinster. In Norse writings, one was queen of Norway. The name Uí Ímair means "grandchildren" or "descendants of Ivar" in Old Irish. But the family also includes its first leader and his sons.

Irish writings say that Ivar was the brother of Amlaíb Conung and Auisle. The Annals of Ulster recorded his death in the year 873. It says: "Ivar, king of all the Norse of Ireland and Britain, ended his life." Ivar was likely a main leader of the Great Heathen Army. He might have inspired the legend of Ivar the Boneless, a famous Viking warrior. The Uí Ímair leaders may also have ruled East Anglia in Britain.

Historian Alex Woolf says this family's rule was not like a single empire. Instead, it was a group of lands ruled by the same family. Their unity changed depending on the situation and the strength of their leaders. In their early days, much of their wealth came from trade. They were known for controlling important trade routes. This made them very powerful. They are shown as main characters in an Irish story from the 12th century called The War of the Irish with the Foreigners.

The Uí Ímair were one of the most important families of the Viking Age. At their peak, they were the most powerful group in the British Isles. Like the Rurikids in Eastern Europe, they eventually mixed with the local people. But their impact on Scotland and Ireland is still seen today. They founded cities and left behind Norse-Gael descendants.

Where Did They Come From?

Some historians believe Ímar and Ivar the Boneless were the same person. Others think they were different people. Irish historical records say Ímar was the son of Gofraid. Gofraid was the king of Lochlann. At that time, the Irish often called Norwegians "Lochlanns."

For a long time, scholars thought Lochlann meant Norway. But recently, some historians like Donnchadh Ó Corráin have questioned this. They suggest Lochlann might have meant the "Viking Scotland." This refers to Norse settlements on Scottish islands and the northern mainland. It is still debated whether Lochlann meant Norway or Norse settlements in Scotland. However, by the 11th century, the term definitely meant Norway.

Donnchadh Ó Corráin also says there is no proof that any Danish royal family ruled in Ireland. He also argues that Ímar's brother, Amlaíb Conung, was not part of the Norwegian royal family. Amlaíb Conung's name means "king" in Old Norse. Ó Corráin believes both Ímar and his brothers were part of a Norse family based in Scotland.

Norwegian historian Kim Hjardar and archaeologist Vegard Vike believe Ímar is the same as Ivar the Boneless from Denmark. They think he and the Norwegian chief Amlaíb Conung came to Ireland. They led a group of Vikings to take control of Viking settlements there. When Irish records call Ímar and Amlaíb Conung "brothers," Hjardar and Vike think it means "warrior brothers" or "brothers in arms."

Important Leaders

This list includes members of the Uí Ímair family mentioned in reliable old writings. It is not a complete list. Some historians now think that a king of Northumbria, who inspired the character of Eric Bloodaxe, was actually from the Uí Ímair family.

Some scholars believe that early members of the Uí Ímair family, and possibly later ones, were descended from the founder through the female line. This means their mothers were from the family, not just their fathers.

Here are some important members of the family:

• Ímar (died 873)
  • Bárid mac Ímair (died 881)
  • Sichfrith mac Ímair (died 888)
  • Sitriuc mac Ímair (died 896)
  • Amlaíb ua Ímair (died 896)
  • Ímar ua Ímair (died 904)
  • Ragnall ua Ímair (died 920/1)
    • Sitric Cáech (died 927)
      • Aralt mac Sitric (died 940)

* Maccus mac Arailt (died 984/7) * Gofraid mac Arailt (died 989) ** Ragnall mac Gofraid (died 1005) ** Máel Muire ingen Gofraid (died ?)

• • • • Gofraid mac Sitriuc (died 951)
      • Amlaíb Cuarán (died 981)

* Glúniairn (died 989) * Sigtrygg Silkbeard (died 1042) ** Amlaíb mac Sitriuc (died 1034) *** Ragnailt ingen Amlaíb (died ?)

• • • Gofraid ua Ímair (died 934)
      • Amlaíb mac Gofraid (died 941)
    • Ímar Ua hÍmair, of Limerick (died 977)
      • Aralt mac Ímair (died 978)
    • Ímar of Waterford (died 1000)
      • Ragnall mac Ímair (died 995)
      • Ragnall mac Ímair II (died 1018)

* Ragnall mac Ragnaill (died 1035)

• • • • Sihtric mac Ímair (died 1022)

The exact family line of Echmarcach mac Ragnaill is not fully known. He was one of the last widely accepted members of the dynasty. He was likely a descendant of either Ivar of Waterford or Gofraid mac Arailt.

Later Rule in Waterford and Limerick

The independent family that ruled Waterford, started by Ivar of Waterford, cannot be directly linked to the main Dublin kings. However, their claim to Dublin and the names of their leaders suggest they were part of the Uí Ímair family.

The family line of the last Norse rulers in Limerick is also unclear. Ivar of Limerick is a major character in the 12th-century story Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib. He is not mentioned as much in other old records. However, he and/or the Waterford family likely have descendants today. This is through marriage with the O'Donovan family. The O'Donovans were connected to both families. They also used Uí Ímair family names in the Middle Ages.

Losing Dublin

It is not known how long the Uí Ímair stayed in Dublin after losing it in 1052. After the death of Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó in 1072, a man named Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill seems to have been king. The old records only briefly mention Gofraid's death in 1075. They call him King of the Foreigners and King of Dublin.

However, the Annals of Inisfallen say that Gofraid, king of Dublin, was sent away by another powerful ruler, Tairdelbach Ua Briain. Gofraid died overseas after gathering a large fleet to return to Ireland. So, Gofraid believed he could bring the dynasty back to power in Dublin. Godred Crovan may have been successful for a time after him.

Family Connections in Ireland

The Uí Ímair dynasty was the origin of many families in Ireland. These families spoke both Gaelic and Norse languages. However, the Norman invasion of Ireland destroyed most of the Norse-Irish and Gaelic noble families. This was completed later with the Tudor conquest of Ireland.

Still, many Gaelic families later used names strongly linked to the Norse dynasty. These names are found in old family records. While the Uí Ímair family was mainly in Dublin, Waterford, and Limerick, families using their names were mostly in northern Ireland. These northern families were not known to have willingly connected with the Uí Ímair. The Uí Ímair family is known to have married into only a few Irish families. These include the Osraighe (the FitzPatricks), Laigin, O'Brien dynasty, and the O'Donovans.

Later Rule in Mann and the Isles

Crovan Dynasty

Descendants of the Dublin Uí Ímair likely continued to rule until the 13th century. This was through the line of Godred Crovan, who was King of Dublin and King of Mann and the Isles. His exact family background is not fully agreed upon. He was most likely the grandson of Ímar mac Arailt, one of the last known Uí Ímair kings of Dublin.

Godred's descendants continued to rule until the 1260s. They were under the rule of the Kings of Norway. The last ruler was Magnús Óláfsson (until 1265), or briefly his son Guðrøðr (1275).

Clann Somhairle

The Clann Somhairle (which includes Clan Donald and Clan MacDougall) are also known as the Lords of the Isles. Even though their connection to Godred Crovan is through the female side, historian Alex Woolf believes they can be seen as a "branch" of the Uí Ímair. This is because they seemed to base their claim to the Isles on this connection. Their founder, Somerled, married Ragnhild. She was the daughter of Olafr Godredsson, King of Mann and the Isles and son of Godred Crovan.

Gwynedd Connection

Amlaíb mac Sitriuc (Ólafr, son of Sigtrygg Silkbeard, King of Dublin) became an ancestor of the Kings of Gwynedd. This happened through his daughter Ragnhild. She married Cynan ab Iago and was the mother of the famous Gruffudd ap Cynan.

See Also

• Scandinavian York
• Kingdom of Dublin
• Norse–Gaels