 Though his origins are obscure, it is known that Godred was a Norse-Gael, with a connection to Islay.The "Chronicles of Mann" call Godred the son of Harald the Black of Ysland, (his place or origin variously interpreted as Islay, Ireland or Iceland) and state he "so tamed the Scots that no one who built a ship or boat dared use more than three iron bolts".Godred also became King of Dublin at an unknown date, although in 1094 he was driven out of the city by Muircheartach Ua Briain, later known as High King of Ireland, according to the "Annals of the Four Masters".