although the return and restoration of hugh almost certainly contributed to alan's inability to succeed in ulster, the latter may have overextended his resources pursuing interests in the isles. when gofraid mac amlaíb, king of the isles died in 1187, he had apparently intended that his younger son, amlaíb dub, would succeed to the kingship. since the latter had been only a child at the time, the islesmen instead inaugurated ragnall, gofraid's eldest (albeit illegitimate) son. as the first quarter of the thirteenth century began to wane, contentions between the half-brothers broke out into outright war, and alan is recorded aiding ragnall against amlaíb dub.