Echmarcach mac Ragnaill

Echmarcach mac Ragnaill was the Gall-Gaidhel King of the Isles, Dublin (1036-1038 & 1046-1052), and much of Galloway.

Echmarcach's long career brought both glories and failures. In 1036 he seized the Kingship of Dublin with the assistance of Donnchad mac Briain, King of Munster, to whom his sister Cacht was married in 1032, and Donnchad mac Gilla Patráic, King of Osraige and King of Leinster, his first cousin. Having been expelled by Ivar Haraldsson (Imar mac Arailt), he regained the city in 1046. At his height he was the overlord of the entire Irish Sea area, controlling Dublin, Mann, the Hebrides and at least the Rhinns of Galloway. Echmarcach was expelled from Dublin in 1052, and from the Isle of Man in 1061 by Murchad mac Diarmata mac Maíl na mBó.

It is very likely that Echmarcach is "Iehmarc", one of the three kings of the north-west (another was King Máel Coluim II of Scotland), who according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle submitted to Knut, King of Denmark and England.

According to "Heimskringla", Echmarcach plundered in Wales with his friend, the viking Guttorm Gunnhildsson. However they started quarreling over the plunder and fought a battle at Menai Strait. Guttorm won the battle by praying to Saint Olaf and Echmarcach was killed.

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