Norse fleet defeated at the Battle of the Epiphany, Scotland

In the 12th century the Norse hold on the Hebrides began to weaken, their sway had lasted 400 years. The collapse of the Vikings (Norse) was accelerated by the rise of Somerled, an Ulster - Scots warrior with the ability of a Genghis Khan. After minor victories over the Norse on land, Somerled managed to crush a fleet of 80 long ships at Epihpany in 1156.

More Events from January 6

• January 6, 1066
  King Harald of England crowned
• January 6, 1412
  Joan of Arc Domremy, martyr
• January 6, 1562
  Shane O'Neill submits to Queen Elizabeth at Whitehall, but rebels again within months
• January 6, 1654
  Commissioners are appointed to allot the land of Oliver Cromwell's Connacht plantation to transplanted Irish
• January 6, 1760
  Richard Polwhele, a Cornish historian was born.
• January 6, 1794
  Frances Ball who, as Mother Mary Teresa founded the Sisters of Loretto, is born in Dublin
• January 6, 1800
  Author Anna Maria Hall, née Fielding, is born in Dublin
• January 6, 1801
  Evan Davies, Welsh Bard known as "Myfir Morganwg", born
• January 6, 1839
  On this date, the Night Of The Big Wind or Oiche na Gaoithe Moire takes place; the most damaging storm in Irish history, some winds are estimated in excess of 130 m.p.h
• January 6, 1898
  Colonel James Fitzmaurice, Ireland's greatest aviator, is born in Dublin
• January 6, 1931
  Birth of novelist P.J. Kavanagh
• January 6, 1939
  First publication of the newspaper Irish Freedom
• January 6, 1940
  Johnny Giles, footballer and Republic of Ireland manager, is born in Dublin
• January 6, 1941
  Birth of Noel Pearson, theatre impresario and film producer