Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill

Who is Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill?

Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill was a late 11th-century King of Dublin. Although the identities of his father and grandfather are uncertain, Gofraid was likely a member of the Uí Ímair. He may have been a nephew of Echmarcach mac Ragnaill, King of Dublin, who was driven from Dublin in 1052 by the Uí Ceinnselaig King of Leinster. When this Leinster king died in 1072, Dublin was seized by the Uí Briain King of Munster, who appears to have handed the Dublin kingship over to Gofraid.

Gofraid's reign only lasted a few years, and he may not have had much independence from his Uí Briain overlord. In 1075, Irish records state that Gofraid was banished from Ireland, and that he died the same year whilst assembling a large fleet. The remains of an 11th-century Danish longship may be evidence that Gofraid lent military assistance to the King of Denmark, who participated in military operations against the Norman King of England in the years following the Norman Conquest.