Battle of Confey

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Confey
partof=Irish - Viking conflict


caption=
date=ca. 915-917 AD
place=possibly what is today Leixlip, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland
casus=
territory=
result=Viking victory
combatant1=Vikings
combatant2=Leinster
commander1=King Sigtrygg Caech
commander2=King Augaire mac Ailella†
strength1=unknown
strength2=unknown
casualties1=unknown
casualties2=~600 dead

The Battle of Confey (or Ceannfuait) was a battle fought between Danish and/or Norwegian Vikings and the Irish king of Leinster. The battle was fought circa 915-917 AD. There is some debate where the battle took place, but near what is today Leixlip, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland, which is about 15 km from Dublin, is a possibility, and the "New History of Ireland" gives the location as Glynn, near St. Mullins in County Wexford. The battle took place during a time of increased Viking attacks. The Vikings were victorious and were led by King Sigtrygg Caech (also called Sigtrygg Gael or Sithric the Blind), who was based in Dublin, then an important Viking settlement. The Annals of the Four Masters says the Irish dead included King Augaire mac Ailella (called Ugaire in the translation), but High King Niall Glúndub could have led the Irish as well. Danish settlers founded Leixlip after the battle. The Annals say 600 Leinstermen were killed.

ee also

*Early Medieval Ireland 800–1166
*Kings of Leinster
*Leixlip
*History of Ireland

ources

* [http://kildare.ie/Leixlip/history/vikings.asp Leixlip Town Council]
* [http://kildare.ie/education/confeycollege/leixlip/History.htm History of Leixlip]
* [http://www.geocities.com/solarguard/germanic/viking.html Summary of "The Vikings" by Johannes Bronsted]
* [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text002.html Annals of the Four Masters translation]