Caittil Find

Caittil Find (fl. 857) was the leader of a contingent of Norse-Gaels, recorded as being defeated in battle in 857 CE. Some historians have considered him to be identical to Ketill Flatnose, a prominent Norse sea-king who had strong associations with the Hebrides of Scotland and Olaf the White.^[1] This view is however not shared by all.

The Annals of Ulster record that in 857 Caittil Find was defeated in battle in Munster, Ireland.

Roiniudh re n-Imar & re n-Amlaiph for Caittil Find cona Gall-Gaedelaibh h-i tiribh Muman.[2]

Ímar and Amlaíb inflicted a rout on Caitil the Fair and his Norse-Irish in the lands of Munster.[3]

The name "Caittil" may be a Gaelicisation of the Old Norse "Ketill". Ketill was a popular name at this period and it is not clear whether the Gaelic Caittil even represents this Norse name. Caittil's byname means "white" (or "fair") not "flat-nosed", as Alex Woolf points out.^[4]

Nor do the Icelandic sources which document Ketill hint at his being active in Ireland. Ketill was the father-in-law of Olaf the White, yet Caittil is recorded as battling Amlaíb (≈Olaf the White).^[4] Other historians propose that Caittil may have been active in Wales prior to his coming to Ireland.^[5]