History · 5th Year

Active learning ideas

Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf

Step back in time to one of the most famous events in Irish history, the Battle of Clontarf. We'll meet the legendary High King, Brian Boru, and uncover the real story behind the epic clash of 1014.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA History: Story - Stories from the lives of people in the past

• 30–60 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Document Mystery
• 45 min · Pairs

Battle of Clontarf Map

Pupils use a template map of the Clontarf area to mark the positions of the key armies and leaders. They can colour-code the different factions, such as Brian Boru's forces, the Leinster army, and the Dublin and overseas Vikings, and draw arrows to show the main phases of the battle.

Identify the main leaders and armies involved in the Battle of Clontarf.

Facilitation Tip

Provide a list of key leaders and their allegiances on the board for easy reference.

What to look for

Use a 'Think-Pair-Share' activity where pupils discuss the main reason why the King of Leinster rebelled against Brian Boru. Listen to their reasoning to gauge understanding.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Management
• Decision-Making

Activity 02

• Document Mystery
• 60 min · Individual

The Clontarf Chronicle

Pupils write a short 'newspaper' report on the battle from a specific viewpoint, for example, a soldier in Brian's army, a citizen of Viking Dublin, or a monk recording the events. This encourages empathy and understanding of different perspectives.

Explain the long-term causes that led to the battle.

Facilitation Tip

Encourage pupils to think about what would be important to their chosen character.

What to look for

Pupils create a timeline of Brian Boru's life, highlighting at least five key events leading up to the Battle of Clontarf. This assesses their understanding of chronology and cause-and-effect.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Management
• Decision-Making

Activity 03

• Document Mystery
• 30 min · Small Groups

Alliance Web

In small groups, pupils create a spider diagram or 'alliance web' showing the relationships between the main characters. They use different coloured lines to show alliances, rivalries, and family connections (e.g., Gormlaith's marriages).

Evaluate the idea that the Battle of Clontarf ended the Viking age in Ireland.

Facilitation Tip

Start the web together as a whole class with Brian Boru in the centre to get them going.

What to look for

Provide pupils with a 'Fact or Myth?' worksheet about the battle. They can complete it individually and then check their answers against a provided key to assess their own learning.

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Management
• Decision-Making

A few notes on teaching this unit

Begin by introducing Brian Boru not just as a warrior, but as a clever political leader. Use a map to illustrate the different kingdoms and alliances at play, visually showing that this was a conflict within Ireland as much as against outsiders. Emphasise the roles of other key figures, like Máel Mórda and Sigtrygg Silkbeard, to show the complex web of relationships that led to the battle.

By the end of this topic, pupils will be able to explain the complex reasons for the battle and argue against the popular myth that it was a simple Irish versus Viking conflict.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• The Battle of Clontarf was a simple war between the Irish and the Vikings.

  The battle was more of an Irish civil war. The King of Leinster led a rebellion against High King Brian Boru, and both sides had Viking allies. Many Vikings had lived in Ireland for generations and were part of the political landscape.

• Brian Boru's victory kicked the Vikings out of Ireland for good.

  The Vikings were not driven out of Ireland. They continued to live, trade, and rule in cities like Dublin, Waterford, and Limerick for many years. The battle broke the military power of the Dublin Vikings, but it did not end their presence in Ireland.

• Brian Boru personally fought and led his army in the battle.

  Brian Boru was an old man at the time of the battle, probably in his seventies. While he was the commander-in-chief, he directed the battle from his tent and did not take part in the fighting himself. He was killed by a retreating Viking soldier after the battle was won.

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Methods used in this brief

• Document Mystery