Editing Brian Boru (section)

== Early life ==
Brian was born at Kincora, his father's residence or fort in [[Killaloe, County Clare|Killaloe]], a town in the region of Tuadmumu.<ref name=ODNB /> Brian's posthumous cognomen "Bóruma" (anglicised as Boru) may have referred to "[[Brian Boru's Fort|Béal Bóruma]]", a fort north of Killaloe, where the Dál gCais held sway.<ref name=Jaski45 /><ref name=ODNB /><ref>Ní Mhaonaigh, p. 15, notes that Brian is associated with Béal Bóruma in a poem attributed to [[Cúán úa Lothcháin]] (d. 1024).</ref> Another explanation, though possibly a late (re-)interpretation, is that the nickname represented Old Irish ''bóruma'' "of the cattle tribute", referring to his capacity as a powerful overlord.<ref name=Jaski45 />

As the youngest of twelve brothers, Brian was highly unlikely to be heir to his father's throne. When he was young, he was sent to a [[monastery]] to study [[Latin]] and the history of Ireland. He was taught at the monastery on the island of [[Innisfallen]], near modern [[Killarney]] in [[County Kerry]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tincker, Mary Agnes, 1831–1907. Hannigan, Denis F. Moores of Moore's Court. Christall, C. W. High treason.|title=The monitor : an illustrated Dublin magazine|date=1879|publisher=Published by Joseph Pollard|pages=309|oclc=265599862}}</ref> His teacher or mentor was the noted monk, [[Maelsuthan Ua Cerbhail|Maelsuthain Ua Cearbhaill]], an [[Eóganachta|Eóganacht]] chief who had become the head of the monastery, noted for starting the [[Annals of Inisfallen]]. Ua Cearbhaill would later become Brian's ''anmchara'' (advisor).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Healy|first=Rev. John|title=Insula Sanctorum Et Doctorum Or Ireland's Ancient Schools And Scholars.|publisher=Read Books Ltd|year=2016|isbn=978-1-4733-6133-1|pages=500–502|oclc=951808529}}</ref> However, when Brian was ten years old, he received news that his father had been killed in battle with the Vikings of [[Limerick]], and he was brought home.<ref name="Clare">Clare County Libraries</ref>

According to a biography of Brian, he once witnessed a raid on a Dal gCáis fort by the Vikings of Limerick. The fort was located on the banks of the [[River Shannon]], allowing the Vikings to sail up the river from [[Limerick]] to attack it. According to the story, Brian, Mathgamain, and another older brother were on a hill or high ground near the fort tending to a herd of cattle. While they were there, they saw the raid from the mountainside after hearing screams and seeing smoke in the sky. They rushed down to the town, only to find the Vikings had already left. The settlement was burnt and looted. Brian's mother was killed, as were several of Brian's brothers who were defending the town, along with many of the townspeople. This event horrified Brian and had a lasting impact on him.<ref name="Clare"/>

The [[River Shannon]] served as an easy route by which raids could be made against the provinces of [[Connacht]] and [[kingdom of Mide|Meath]]. Both Brian's father, Cennétig mac Lorcáin, and his older brother Mathgamain had conducted river-borne raids, in which the young Brian would undoubtedly have participated. This may have been the root of his appreciation for [[navy|naval forces]] in his later career.

When their father died, the kingship of Tuadmumu passed to Brian's older brother, Mathgamain. Brian and Mathgamain campaigned together throughout Munster.<ref name=McCullough106>McCullough (2002), p. 106</ref> When Mathgamain was killed in 976. Brian replaced him. Subsequently, he became king of the entire kingdom of Munster.