Born in 940 AD, Brian Ború was one of Ireland's greatest leaders who is credited with directing Ireland's future - for both good and bad.
Card Text
Brian Ború (Fire)
7 Life
3 Speed
8 Experiance
1 Damage
Irish • Warrior • Male
Dioltas: You gain +1 speed during the first round of the game if you are opposing a norse warrior.
An Dara Buille - Action: Once each game, make an attack woth your weapon if possible. After the attack, set your experiance to 0.
Brian, as a child witnessed the death of most of his Dal Cais tribe, including his mother, at the hands of the Norse. His vengence set him inexorably on the path towards becoming the first and only true High King of Ireland.
Illus.: Alan Pollack • Set 4 • 06/100
Warrior Pack
Árd Rí
Clíabh Mór
Máille na Lúb
Cluain Tairbh
Brief History
The rivals to Brian Boru's rule were numerous, however, both among the native Irish and the remaining Norse. In 1013, Maelmordha, King of Leinster, revolted and allied with the Vikings. They summoned reinforcements from Boru's other Irish rivals and the Viking nations, as far away as Normandy and Iceland.
The two forces met on Good Friday, 1014 at Clontarf. Nearly 4,000 Irishmen were killed at the Battle of Clontarf, including Brian's son Murrough, but the Viking/Leinster forces suffered even heavier losses.
At the end of the battle, what little remained of the Norse forces retreated to their ships. But before all the invaders fled, a small group of Norse troops came upon Brian's tent and decided that if they couldn't have Ireland, they would at least kill its King. Then in late seventies or early eighties, Brian was able to kill several men but King Brodar of Man struck Boru the mortal wound. Before he died, Brian was able to avenge himself by beheading Brodar.
Unfortunately, with Boru gone and his strong influence absent, Ireland soon fell into chaos and anarchy. There would never be another king powerful enough to rule all of Ireland.
Today, Boru is also known as the progenitor of the Clan O'Brien, through his four wives and thirty reputed concubines. Additionally, one of the symbols most commonly associated with Ireland - and the symbol used as Guinness's logo - is called the "Brian Boru Harp".
Anachronism Package Blurb
Brian Ború, the great Irish warrior who fought back against the Norse and was later crowned High King of the Irish tribes.
Trivia
- The term the Brian Boru is also used to refer to the Brian Boru harp, the national symbol of the Republic of Ireland which appears on the back of Irish euro currency (ironically, the harp also appears on the Leinster flag, even though Brian Boru was from Munster). Brian Boru's harp is also the symbol of Guinness Beer.
- His name is also remembered in the title of one of the oldest tunes in Ireland's traditional repertoire : Brian Boru's March
- The Spire of Dublin was very nearly named the Brian Boru Spire.
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