Dermot MacMurrough

Normans Arrive in Ireland:
On May 1, 1169, the first large group of Norman soldiers landed at Bannow Bay in Co. Wexford. Soon more Norman knights and soldiers joined them. MacMurrough and his army also joined them. They marched to Wexford town. The Vikings who lived there marched out thinking they could defeat Dermot and his army. They were amazed to see how well equipped the Normans were. Within a day Wexford was captured.

In August 1170, Strongbow (Richard de Clare) landed near Waterford with a group of about 1200 Normans (200 knights and 1000 soldiers). They defeated the Vikings and the Irish who lived in Waterford and captured the city. Then Strongbow got married to Aoife, a daughter of Dermot. (Dermot MacMurrough is often known as Diarmuid na nGall). Soon after this MacMurrough and Strongbow captured Dublin City. Dermot MacMurrough died suddenly, in May 1171, and Strongbow became king of Leinster.