It’s battle stations for Easter festival

MORE than 500 Vikings will descend on St Anne’s Park, Raheny, this Easter weekend as Dublin City Council is set to stage the largest-ever living history battle re-enactment in Ireland at the Battle of Clontarf Festival.

Over 40,000 visitors are expected to witness the spectacular clash of the Viking and Irish armies twice daily in the breathtaking battle re-enactments featuring over 500 living history re-enactors from all over the world.

The festival will be held near the original battle site at St Anne’s Park.

Along with the battle re-enactments, the festival will also provide a feast for the senses with displays of Viking life including a complete medieval village with over 80 tents, skills and weapons demonstrations, a mounted display on horses, a Viking longboat, falconry, archery, food, music and much more.

Children will enjoy a range of exciting activities including a giant loom with visitors invited to participate in the ancient art of weaving to create a giant tapestry; families will be invited to make their mark by creating their own Viking or Gaelic flag for an installation in the park; award winning artist Breda Marron will invite children to help her create a labyrinth from Irish willow; visual artist Ger Clancy will show children how to prepare for battle by making a sword and shield; and Niamh Lawlor, Pucca Puppets will host an interactive storytelling session for young children with face-painting and a Brian Boru treasure hunt also taking place.

Along with plenty of family entertainment, visitors will enjoy a range of music from Ossia Youth Choir, Booka Brass Band, Prairie Dawgs and North Strand Kontra Band – offering the perfect weekend for a picnic in the park.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Oisín Quinn said:

“This is set to be a spectacular event and offers something really unique to do over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

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For updated information on the festival (April 19-20), visit www.brianborumillennium.ie or visit the Dublin City Council Facebook page or Twitter.