Brian Boru Uncovered is an independent guide to Brian Boru’s history and the places linked to him. How we check facts, and how the site is funded.

We aren’t affiliated with any government body, tourism board, clan association or heritage organisation. Everything here is researched and written by us.

What we cover

The site has two jobs. The first is to answer questions about Brian Boru accurately: who he was, how he rose to power, how he died at Clontarf in 1014, and what happened to his family afterwards. The second is to help people who want to go and see his Ireland for themselves, from his fort at Killaloe to his grave at Armagh.

Alongside that, we cover the families of his Dál gCais kindred, including the O’Briens, MacMahons, Kennedys and MacNamaras, for readers tracing their own roots. You’ll also find guides to the harp and the music that carry his name, plus the best books about him.

Good starting points:

How we research and check facts

Brian Boru is surrounded by legend, and a lot of what circulates online about him is wrong. Our rule is simple: we separate what the evidence supports from what tradition claims, and we tell you which is which.

  • History is based on the Irish annals and on modern scholarship, principally Seán Duffy and Máire Ní Mhaonaigh. Where later sources such as the Cogadh Gáedel re Gallaib or the Norse sagas are the only evidence, we say so.
  • Genealogy and DNA content draws on published surname research and the findings of volunteer-run Y-DNA projects. We don’t tell anyone they descend from Brian Boru on the strength of a surname alone.
  • Travel information such as opening times and prices is checked against official sources and dated on each page. These details change, so please confirm them before you travel.

Each article lists its main sources at the end and shows the date it was last reviewed.

Corrections

If you spot an error, please tell us through the contact page. We read every message and correct mistakes promptly, updating the review date on the page when we do.

How the site is funded

Brian Boru Uncovered is free to read. It is funded by advertising and by affiliate links. When you book a tour or order a DNA test through some of our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These links are marked as sponsored.

Commissions never decide what we recommend. We point out when a tour listing gets the history wrong, and when a cheaper option does the job just as well. No company can pay to be included or to change what we write.

Contact

Questions and suggestions for new articles are welcome. Get in touch through our contact page.