Swords battles it out for 1014 commemorations

WHILE Brian Boru is more synonymous with Clontarf, he also had a Swords connection, as local historians would be quick to point out.

Boru was brought to Swords by monks on the way to his burial in Armagh after his death at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

And this weekend, Fingal will be marking that connection with a number of events planned to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the battle.

Transition year students at Colaiste Choilm Swords are making even more noise than usual these days and with good reason. They’ve been holding drumming workshops while practicing for the Swords 1014 Commemoration events planned in the county.

Drummers from Colaiste Choilm will be joining in the fire parade happening through the streets of Swords this Friday, April 25.

Two-days of family fun are also planned on April 26 and 27. A Viking Village in the town park of Swords Castle will include battle re-enactments, archery and falconry demonstrations, an exhibition on

‘The Vikings in Fingal’, talks for children on Viking life, and hands-on activities on what it is like to be an archaeologist digging for ancient treasures and remains.

Gerry Clabby, Fingal County Council’s Heritage Officer, told Northside People:

“All the focus on the 1,000th anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf has been on place and events that happened closer to the city centre.

“Fingal too has strong links to the Vikings and Brian Boru was brought to Swords by monks on his way to his burial at Armagh after his death at the infamous battle in 1014.

“To mark this important anniversary, Fingal County Council has organised a weekend of activities in Swords that will include a night time torch-light parade to mark the funeral procession and handing over of Brian’s

‘body’ to the delegation from Armagh.

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Mr Clabby added:

“We also have a number of exhibitions in our libraries at the moment that build a colourful and interesting picture of how the Vikings lived in Fingal at the time of the Battle of Clontarf.

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Yvonne O’Brien, senior executive librarian with Fingal Libraries, said:

“We’ve run really successful poetry workshops with Máigréad Medbh and a poetry competition for young people themed around the events in 1014.

“There’s a wealth of material to write about too, given the complex political landscape at the time.

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Ms O’Brien added:

“The marriages alone paint such a colourful picture with Sitric Silkenbeard, Norse king of Dublin married to Brian Boru’s daughter and Brian’s other daughter married to Flaithbertach Ua Néill, another arch-enemy.

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The Friday night Fire and Torch Parade on April 25 will take place on Swords Main Street from 8pm to 10pm with re-enactors marching down the main street by torchlight carrying the

‘body’ of Brian Boru to Swords Town Park.

Locals and visitors are invited to take part in what promises to be an exhilarating trip back through Fingal’s history. Get into the spirit by arriving dressed as a Viking or Irish warrior. You can even grow, knit or make you own beard!

All events are free. For more information see www.fingal.ie