Glúniairn (died 989), inOld NorseJárnkné ([ˈjɑːrnˌkneː], "Iron-knee"), was aNorse-Gaelking of Dublin of theUí Ímair kindred which ruled over much of theScandinavianised and Norse-Gael parts ofGreat Britain andIreland in the tenth century.
Glúniairn was a son ofAmlaíb Cuarán (d. after 980) who abdicated as king of Dublin following his defeat at theBattle of Tara in 980 and the subsequent capture ofDublin byMáel Sechnaill mac Domnaill ofClann Cholmáin, theHigh King of Ireland. Olaf retired toIona where he probably became a monk and later died. Glúniairn and Máel Sechnaill were both sons of Dúnlaith, sister of the previous High King,Domnall ua Néill ofCenél nEógain, and Máel Sechnaill appointed his half-brother to rule inDublin as his client. Máel Sechnaill removed many of the hostages and captives that Amlaíb Cuarán had held in Dublin, includingDomnall Clóen,King of Leinster.[1]
It is likely that Glúniairn benefited substantially from the support of hishalf-brother, and this support extended beyond that which placed him in power in Dublin in 980 over the claims of his many half-brothers. Domnall Clóen, together with Glúniairn's distant kinsmanIvar of Waterford, faced Máel Sechnaill and Glúniairn in battle in 983, and defeated their enemies, Ivar's son Gilla Pátraic being one of the many dead in this rout. Máel Sechnaill's army ravaged acrossLeinster while Glúniairn's men attacked the church atGlendalough.[2]
In 989 Glúniairn was "killed when drunk by his own slave", his killer's name being given as Colban inDubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh'sChronicon Scotorum.[3]Benjamin Hudson suggests that the reports of the killing in theIrish annals, and particularly Máel Sechnaill's rapid riposte, argue that Glúniairn's death was more probably the result of factional infighting in Dublin. The annals record that Máel Sechnaill attacked Dublin, brushing aside resistance. He demanded, and received, the payment oferaic, a term inearly Irish law corresponding approximately withAnglo-Saxonwergild. He retained a third for himself, which is what the law would prescribe for a ruler or nobleman acting to enforce payment. It is unclear if Glúniairn was succeeded bySigtrygg Silkbeard, his paternal half-brother, or by the rivalIvar of Waterford.
Glúniairn had at least one full sibling, a sister named Ragnhild who married a son ofCongalach Cnogba.[4] Glúniairn's son Gilla Ciaráin died in 1014 at thebattle of Clontarf.[5] He had a second son, who may have been called Sitriuc, who is recorded as killing Gofraid, son of Sigtrygg Silkbeard, inWales in 1036. This son was perhaps the father ofGofraid (died circa 1070), a ruler of theIsle of Man who is said to have given refuge toGodred Crovan. This Gofraid had a son namedFingal who also ruled Man and died in 1079. Some interpretations would makeMacc Congail, who ruled thekingdom of the Rhinns, Fingal's son.[6]
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