Ímar mac Arailt

Ímar mac Arailt (died 1054) was an eleventh-century ruler of Kingdom of Dublin and perhaps the Kingdom of the Isles as well.^{[note 1]} Ímar's reign in Dublin spanned at least eight years, from 1038 to 1046. After falling from power he appears to have been reinstalled the kingship of Dublin in 1152. Ímar died in 1054. He may have been an ancestor or close kinsman of Gofraid Crobán, King of Dublin and the Isles.

Background

Ímar was probably the son of Aralt mac Amlaíb (died 999),^[4] a man whose death at the Battle of Glen Mama is recorded by the Annals of Ulster.^[5] If this identification is correct, Ímar's paternal grandfather would have been Amlaíb Cuarán, King of Northumbria and Dublin (died 981),^[6] and a paternal uncle of his would have been Sitriuc mac Amlaíb, King of Dublin (died 1042).^[7]

Career

In 1038, the Annals of Tigernach records that Ímar replaced Echmarcach mac Ragnaill as King of Dublin.^[8] This record has been interpreted to indicate that Ímar drove Echmarcach from the kingship.^[9] Ímar's reign lasted about eight years,^[10] and one of his first royal acts appears to have been the invasion of Rathlin within the year.^[11]

It is possible that, during his reign, Ímar received some form of support from Knútr's son and successor in England, Haraldr Knútsson, King of England (died 1040). The latter was certainly in power when Ímar replaced Echmarcach, and an association between Ímar and Haraldr Knútsson could explain why the Annals of Ulster reports the latter's death two years later.^[12]

In 1045, he again invaded the island, and his subsequent slaughter of three hundred noblemen of the Ulaid, including a certain heir apparent named Ragnall Ua Eochada, is documented by the Annals of Clonmacnoise, Annals of Inisfallen, Annals of Tigernach, and the Annals of the Four Masters.^[13] This remarkable action may indicate that the Dubliners and Ulaid were battling for control of the island itself. If so, it could be evidence that Ímar also controlled Mann as well.^[14]

The following year, the Annals of the Four Masters state that he was driven from the kingship by Echmarcach, who was then elected king by the Dubliners.^[10] The Annals of Tigernach simply state that Echmarcach succeeded Ímar.^[15] After this point in Ímar's life, all that is known for certain is that he died in 1054,^[16] as recorded in the Annals of Ulster, and the Annals of Loch Cé.^[17] However, since these sources style Ímar in Gaelic rí Gall ("King of the Foreigners"), there may be evidence to suggest that, when Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó drove Echmarcach from Dublin in 1052, Diarmait reinstalled Ímar as king.^[18]

Ímar may have been the father,^[19] uncle,^[20] or possibly even the brother of Gofraid Crobán, King of Dublin and the Isles.^[21]

Notes

Citations

References

Primary sources

Secondary sources

Kings of Dublin 9th century Amlaíb Ímar Auisle Albann^ Oistin mac Amlaíb* Bárid mac Ímair Sichfrith mac Ímair Sitriuc mac Ímair Sichfrith Jarl^ Glúniarann* Ímar ua Ímair 10th century Sitric Cáech Gofraid Amlaíb mac Gofraid Blácaire Gofraid mac Sitriuc Amlaíb Cuarán Glúniairn Ímar Sigtrygg Silkbeard 11th century Echmarcach Ímar mac Arailt Echmarcach Murchad mac Diarmata Diarmait Toirdelbach Ua Briain Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill Domnall mac Murchada Muirchertach Donnchad Muirchertach? Gofraid Crobán Domnall mac Taidc? Domnall Gerrlámhach? 12th century Magnús berfœttr? Domnall Gerrlámhach Diarmait mac Énna Domnall Gerrlámhach Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair Énna Mac Murchada Conchobar Ua Conchobair Conchobar Ua Briain Ottir Ragnall? Ottir Brodar Gofraid mac Amlaíb Ascall ^ Disputed * Speculative