Many thanks to Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust for inviting me to give a short presentation on my new book on the night of their AGM on Monday February 17th. The large number of attendees appeared to enjoy my talk about the Kings of Aileach and the Vikings. After a quick introduction to the Cenél nEógain population group and early Viking activity in Ulster from c.800 – 866 AD I was able to tailor my talk to Viking activity in the Carlingford and Annagassan region from the 850s to 920s. Members of the Heritage group in particular appeared to enjoy the piece concerning Muirchertach of the Leather Cloaks and his defeat of the Carlingford Vikings and later the combined force of Vikings from Strangford and Annagassan led by Hálfdan of Dublin in December 926. The survivors of this rout were besieged for a week at Áth Cruithne – the Ford of the Cruithin, located in modern-day Sheeptown townland, north-east of Newry. Members of the heritage group speculated whether the Crown Mound feature close to the Ford of the Cruithin played a part in the events of late 926/early 927. This would make this historical monument older than its previously suggested Anglo-Norman origin. Ancient pre-historic mounds located beside fords can sometimes be mistaken for later Anglo-Norman motte-type structures and this may well be the case here. I would like to express my appreciation to attendees of the AGM on the night, many of whom very kindly bought copies of my new book. Many thanks again.
New Book Early 2020
It is with great pleasure that I would like to announce the publication of the last installment in my trilogy of books about the history of medieval Ireland, The Kings of Aileach and the Vikings, AD 800-1060. Published by Four Courts Press (with whom I have a very good relationship by this stage), my new book is due to be published in very early 2020. This book is primarily concerned with Viking activity in the north of Ireland and their interaction with my ancestors, the Cenél nEógain population group of the Inishowen Peninsula and Central Ulster. My new book should appeal to students and teachers of early medieval Irish history and also to local historians across a wide stretch of the north of Ireland. My book deals extensively with the local history of the Inishowen Peninsula and adjacent areas in Co. Donegal and also with almost the entire area of the modern counties of Derry and Tyrone that were inhabited by the Cenél nEógain people in early medieval times. Also covered are Co.s Antrim, Down and Louth, the land of the Ulaid people during this time. All these areas had a definite regional dynamic throughout the Viking Age. So please keep an eye out for the new book in the shops from early in the new year. I will post another blog when I receive my first copy which is always an enjoyable time for an author.