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  • Viking Festival

    There will be a major Viking event in Wexford this weekend that may be of intrest to some.

    VIKINGS RETURN TO WEXFORD

    The Irish National Heritage Park at Ferrycarrig in County Wexford will be the venue for a major Viking Market and re-enactment during this year's Wexford-Vestfold Viking Festival. The project is a joint venture between the Heritage Park and Wexford County Council in Ireland and Vestfold County Council in Southern Norway with the support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy.


    Wexford-Vestfold Viking Festival

    Several months planning have gone in to the project which aims to celebrate the common Viking heritage of Wexford and Vestfold. Wexford Town was founded by Viking traders and settlers in the early tenth century. Their ships would have landed close to the present day Crescent.

    They built their houses along the line of Main Street. Some of these houses have been excavated by archaeologists and the Viking site in the Park is based on the excavation results from the corner of Bride Street and Main Street.

    Now, the Vikings are coming to Wexford again to trade, share their culture and celebrate our common heritage. At lunchtime (arrival dependent on tides) on 27th July the Viking ship Gaiawill sail into Wexford Harbour under full sail for a six day visit that will dispel any fear of Vikings still buried deep inside Wexford people. The Gaia will be greeted and guided to the Quayside by a flotilla of boats from Wexford Boat Club and will be welcomed to Wexford by a celebration on the Quayfront.


    The project begins in June when a full scale replica of the Gokstad Viking ship the 'Gaia', sets sail from Sandefjord harbour in Vestfold in Southern Norway, to begin its long voyage to Wexford. The Gaia is a faithful replica of the original ninth century ship which was used for a ship burial at Gokstad around 853ad. It remained sealed in its mound for over a thousand years until it was discovered and excavated in the 1880's. This replica was built in 19 90 and since its launch has sailed to many parts of the world. It is 24 metres long with a 120 square metre sail and carries a crew of fifteen, three of whom are professional seamen who are assisted by volunteers. The ship will retrace the route taken by the original Viking sailors in the ninth and tenth centuries

    We know the Viking settlers practiced their crafts in Wexford and you will have an opportunity to see the craft methods brought to life again during the Market in the Park which will open to visitors on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st from 9.30am - 5.30pm and Monday 1st August from 9.30am - 4.00pm. A shuttle bus service will operate from Wexford Town to the Heritage Park on each of the three days. Visitors should allow at least two hours at the Viking Market and don't forget to bring your camera!


    At the Market, a total of 65 Viking re-enactors and craftspeople from the Borre Viking Group in Norway will be joined by 35 Irish re-enactors to recreate a Viking Market site in the Heritage Park. The craftspeople will use the Motte, Ring Fort, Crannog, Monastery and Viking sites for their displays. The ring fort will feaure an authentic Gaelic Settlement to contrast with the Viking visitors who will also be setting up 20 replica Viking tents at different places in the Park which will become their workshop and trading sites.

    Visitors will have an opportunity to see a blacksmith, a silversmith, bronze casting, weavers and spinners, woodworkers, coin strikers, natural dyeing, weapons displays, leatherworkers, glass bead making, archery and bow making, calligraphy and other scenes of everyday life from the ninth century. All of the Vikings and Irish are skilled in their craft work and will be glad to demonstrate and explain the activities to visitors. They will also have goods for sale just as the original Viking merchants had, so be prepared to bargain! The Viking village at the Heritage Park will be the central attraction of the Wexford Vestfold Viking Festival 2005.

    Children's Craft Workshops in the Heritage Park

    A team from the Education Dept. of the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde will give children an opportunity to try their hand at rope making for skipping ropes, braclet making using strands of copper wire, and assembling and painting a viking shield using original methods and colours for a small fee. They will be joined by a team from the Education Dept. of the National Museum of Ireland who will talk to children about the Vikings in Ireland and allow them to try items from their handling collection.


    To complement the Viking Craft Village a contemporary Market will be held on Wexford's Quayfront over the August Bank Holiday weekend from Saturday to Monday. The Quayfront will be a riot of colour and and a hive of activity with a market featuring five distinct parts The Quayfront Market will operate for three days Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July (from 2.00 to 7.00 pm) and Monday 1st August (from Noon to 4.00 pm). On the Saturday and Sunday there will also be a full entertainment programme featuring a wide range of Wexford performers. Wexford people and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the very best of local produce, crafts and arts as well as sampling the delights that Norwegian companies have to offer us. Immediately beside the Market The Gaia will be moored at the Marina and visitors can get a closer look at a real Viking ship than any of their ancestors. The Gaia will depart from the Park at 17.00hrs on Monday 1st August to begin the journey to London.

    * Contemporary Norwegian "Traders",
    * Wexford Craft Workers,
    * Wexford Farmers Market,
    * An Artists' Market.

    In addition you can visit a fascinating Maritime Exhibition, that focusses on Wexford's sea-faring traditions, at the Wexford Chamber of Commerce at the Crescent, directly opposite the statue of John Barry.

    When you have enjoyed the Quay Front Market, The Gaia and the Maritime Exhibition you can jump on The Viking Express, a free shuttle bus service, directly beside the Market and be whisked straight out to the Heritage Park and back over 1,100 years to a real Viking experience!

    The Wexford Vestfold Viking Festival 2005 will also feature a series of education events at both the Irish National Heritage Park and at Wexford Library as well as a Pikeman Parade to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of Oliver Sheppard's Pikeman at the Bullring.

  • #2
    Ill be there to make sure mrs stameen behaves herself with the Norwegians...
    "Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here...this is the War Room!"

    Comment


    • #3
      The Gaia is an impressive boat and the Vikings are very authentic from what iv seen.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Muzzle
        The Gaia is an impressive boat and the Vikings are very authentic from what iv seen.
        Better warn the Gardai to expect lots of Raping and Pillaging then


        Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

        Comment


        • #5
          Well considering they are reinacting a trade voyage I think the people of Wexford are safe.

          Comment


          • #6
            Slave trade?


            Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

            Comment


            • #7
              Better warn the Gardai to expect lots of Raping and Pillaging then
              its ok 2 BN are on duty that week, but watch out Trallee in Sept
              Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
              Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
              The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere***
              The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
              The best lack all conviction, while the worst
              Are full of passionate intensity.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by hedgehog
                its ok 2 BN are on duty that week, but watch out Trallee in Sept
                10th will be on site as it happens

                Comment


                • #9
                  [lock up your females and valuables
                  Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
                  Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
                  The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere***
                  The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
                  The best lack all conviction, while the worst
                  Are full of passionate intensity.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    "See, there, vikings !!!"

                    "Landlord, we have come because we have heard about the Harp."

                    "Pah, tourists !!!"


                    Most of you are probably not old enough to get it.


                    Later.
                    No-one, I think, is in my tree...

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I get it....

                      "Tà siad ag teacht" is about the same vintage..


                      Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by strummer
                        "See, there, vikings !!!"

                        "Landlord, we have come because we have heard about the Harp."

                        "Pah, tourists !!!"


                        Most of you are probably not old enough to get it.


                        Later.
                        Sally O'Brien and the way she might look at you...

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Muzzle
                          10th will be on site as it happens
                          Bring 'em on

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Parts
                            Sally O'Brien and the way she might look at you...
                            You could fry an egg on the stones here....if you had an egg.


                            Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Yes well old enough to remember it...don't think I was old enough o drink it at the time.

                              I wonder does anybody keep an archieve of ads from the telly?

                              Any bring on the vikings......somebody needs to keep the yellowbellies in check.....I wonder what the Norwegian is for row ye land lubbers!
                              Covid 19 is not over ....it's still very real..Hand Hygiene, Social Distancing and Masks.. keep safe

                              Comment

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