Sigtrygg II Olafsson (also known as Sihtric, Sitrick and Sitric in Irish texts; or Sigtryggr and Sigtryg in Scandinavian texts) was a Hiberno-Norse king of Dublin (possibly 989–994 AD. He was from the house of the Uí Ímair monarchy. During the Leinster revolt of 999–1000, the King was forced to submit to the King of Munster, Brian Boru. In order to keep the peace his family conducted a double marriage alliance with Boru, although he later realigned himself with the prominent leaders of the Leinster revolt of 1012–1014. He played a significant part in the 12th century Irish Cogadh Gaedhil re Gallaibh and the 13th century Icelandic Njal’s Saga, which led him to become a prominent Viking leader in the Battle of Clontarf in c. 1014.
Sigtrygg’s long reign spanned for 46 years until his abdication in 1036. During that period, his army saw action in four of the five Irish provinces. He also conducted long raids into territories such as Meath, Wicklow, Ulster, and perhaps even the coast of Wales. He also had conflicts with rival Norse kings, particularly in Waterford and Cork.
Christ Church Cathedral, formally known as The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity was founded in the early 11th century under the Viking king Sitric Silkenbeard. In the late 12th century it was rebuilt in stone under the Norman potentate Strongbow. Although Dublin underwent several reversals of fortune during his reign, the whole trade in the city flourished.
