The course will cover the history of Viking invasions of Ireland starting in 795 A.D. At first they looted for mobile wealth and slaves. Monasteries and coastal settlements were their main target. Later they used the inland waterways to raid inland. In time they arrived  to settle and claim the fertile soil of Ireland. Groups from different parts of Scandinavia came and fought each other for control of Ireland. The Irish clans fought back and in 1014 at the Battle of Clontarf they finally, under the leadership of High King Brian Boru, defeated the Vikings.