He had already conducted a fleet to the Hebrides, from whence he returned flushed with victory.

His first care was to assemble a body of troops of special valour; and he soon found himself at the head of a thousand heroes, and in a position to commence "his circuit of Ireland." The Danish chief, Sitric, was first seized as a hostage.

He then carried off Lorcan, King of Leinster.

He next went to the Munster men, who were also prepared for battle; but they too yielded, and gave up their monarch also, "and a fetter was put on him by Muircheartach." He afterwards proceeded into Connaught, where Conchobhar, son of Tadhg, came to meet him, "but no gyve or lock was put upon him." He then returned to Oileach, carrying these kings with him as hostages.

Here he feasted them for five months with knightly courtesy, and then sent them to the Monarch Donough.
After these exploits we cannot be surprised that Muircheartach should be styled the Hector of the west of Europe.