Brian Boru was born Brian Mac Cennétig in Ireland around 941. He was perhaps the greatest military leader Ireland has ever known and his life deeds were legendary. In 978 he led his warriors to victory and took the kingship of all of Munster. Rulers of other provinces took note and worried he might want more territory. Brian did not back down and eventually took over most of the southern half of Ireland. Not content to stop there, Brian went about northern Ireland reinforcing his claim to it. The problem with building an empire is that you can’t watch your old territories when you’re going about conquering new ones. Eventually Dublin and Leinster rebelled which culminated into the Battle of Clontarf. Brian’s army still won, but Brian himself died. He earned his name as ‘Brian of the Tributes’ (Brian Boru) by collecting tributes from the minor rulers of Ireland and using the money to restore monasteries and libraries that had been destroyed during the invasions.
