Craggaunowen will be transformed into a Viking village with medieval games, battle creations and a celebration of Norse arts, crafts and trades this August Bank Holiday Weekend.
‘The Viking Age at Craggaunowen’ will provide visitors with an insight into how the pagan warriors lived in Ireland during the 9th and 10th centuries.
The highlight of the weekend will be the battle recreations on the Castle Green at 12noon, 2pm and 4pm daily when warring warriors demonstrate their fierce fighting and defensive skills.
Visitors will be able to don the suits of chain-mail and hold a Viking Helmet, shield and other armoury once used for protection during the intense battles that raged across Ireland over 1,000 years ago.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see and experience what life was like during the Viking Age at a recreated village where historically accurate workshop tents will host crafters demonstrating their trading, leather working, and wicket basket and jewellery making skills.
Kids of all ages will also be able to participate in Viking-themed activities from the “throwing logs” game of Knubb to Hnefatafl, a game akin to modern-day chess.
“The Vikings have invaded Craggaunowen many times down through the years, but they always visit in peace and with an eagerness to share insights into their culture and rich heritage with the wider public,” said Pauline Lenihan, site manager at Craggaunowen.
“Our open-air museum at Craggaunowen will bring the Viking story to life and we hope that people of all ages will come along to learn more about their day-to-day lives and the real people behind the legend of the ‘men from the north’. It promises to be an educational and entertaining weekend for all the family.”
The Clare County Council managed visitor attraction at Craggaunowen, which this year celebraters the 50th anniversary of its foundation by John Hunt of The Hunt Collection, recreates what life would have been like for the Bronze Age inhabitants of Ireland. The attraction features a 16th-century castle and a reconstructed “crannog” showing how Celts lived, worked, and defended themselves. The Brendan Boat, built in 1976 by explorer Tim Severin who successfully completed a 4,500-mile transatlantic crossing, also is on permanent display at Craggaunowen.
Tickets for ‘The Viking Age at Craggaunowen’ are available online at craggaunowen.ie.
Andrew Hamilton is a journalist, investigative reporter and blogger who has been working in the media in Ireland for the past 20 years. His areas of special interest include the environment, mental health and politics.