The Vikings presence is intertwined with the history of Carlingford Loch, lough, or fjord. The Vikings established settlements and raiding bases along the lough in the 9th century, using its sheltered waters for their activities. The name Carlingford itself is believed to be derived from the Old Norse Kerlingfjorðr, meaning narrow sea inlet of the hag, suggesting a mythological connection with the Vikings. This song is about the battle of Strangford Lough (loch, fjord) that was fought in 877 between two groups of Vikings described by the Irish Annals as the "fair heathens" and the "dark heathens" The Danes and the Norsemen from Norway the " heathens". The Annals of Ulster describe "Albann", a figure usually identified with Halfdan Ragnarsson, a leader of the Great Heathen Army, as king of the "dark(DANE) heathens" and Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib identifies Bárid mac ímair, King of Dublin as the leader of the "fair heathens". All accounts agree Halfdan was killed in the battle, and Cogad adds that Bárid was wounded in it. The result was a fair Heathen (NORSE) victory.