A small Viking fleet entered the River Liffey in eastern Ireland, probably led by the chieftain Saxolb (Soxulfr) who was killed later that year. The Vikings overwinter on Lough Neagh in 840[1] and set up a base, which the Irish called longphorts. This longphort would eventually become Dublin.[2]
839
Thorgest (in Latin Turgesius) was the first Viking to attempt an Irish kingdom. He sailed up the Shannon and the River Bann to Armagh in 839 where he forged a realm spanning Ulster, Connacht and Meath.
Viking army defeated near Cashel by Ólchobar mac Cináeda.
Vikings at Cork; besieged by Ólchobar mac Cináeda.
The Annales Bertiniani report the arrival of Irish envoys at the court of Frankish EmperorCharles the Bald. They brought gifts from the "king of the Irish" and announced an Irish victory over Vikings. The Irish annals record several defeats for Viking armies, which of these is meant is unclear. The identity of the "king of the Irish" is no more certain, but Ólchobar mac Cináeda may be intended rather than Mael Sechnaill I.