The Dublin sean-nós singer Lorcán Mac Mathúna has been commissioned to explore Irish and Norse accounts of the Battle of Clontarf, marking one thousand years since the battle took place.

The battle, which took place on Good Friday, 1014, was between Brian Boru (titled High King of Ireland) and a collection of forces led by the King of Leinster, Máel Mórda Mac Murchada — the latter’s host included Viking mercenaries from Dublin and the Orkney Islands led by Mac Murchada’s cousin, Sigtrygg Silkbeard. Brian Boru was said to be killed in his tent near the battle, though his side was victorious.

The results of Mac Mathúna’s research into the battle will be presented in concert as part of the Temple Bar Trad Festival in on 24 January 2014 in St Michan’s Church.

Mac Mathúna has previously studied the connections between Irish and Norse cultures with his group Northern Lights. The following song is a translation of the Swedish murder balled, ‘Sven i Rosengard’, with Mac Mathúna joined by Raphael De Cock (voice and low whistle) and Rémi Decker (guitar).

www.lorcanmacmathuna.com