Even the churches were not spared by him, for he laid waste the termon-lands of Clonmacnois, "up to the church door." After his death,[200] A.D.843, a brave and good king came to the rescue of his unfortunate country.

While still King of Meath, Meloughlin had freed the nation from Turgesius, one of its worst tyrants, by drowning him in Lough Owel.

His death was a signal for a general onslaught on the Danes.
The people rose simultaneously, and either massacred their enemies, or drove them to their ships.

In 846 Meloughlin met their forces at Skreen, where they were defeated; they also suffered a reverse at Kildare.
The Danes themselves were now divided into two parties--the Dubh Galls, or Black Gentiles; and the Finn Galls, or White Gentiles.

A fierce conflict took place between them in the year 850, in which the Dubh Galls conquered.[201] In the following year, however, both parties submitted to Amlaff, son of the Norwegian king; and thus their power was once more consolidated.