Vikings set to invade Clontarf for festival

CLONTARF’S historic connection with Vikings will feature prominently in a festival taking place in the area this weekend.

Sponsored by Fáilte Ireland and Dublin Port, the Clontarf Viking Festival will be held on Friday and Saturday, June 8 and 9.

This year’s summer festival, which is hosted by Clontarf Business Association, will be a themed event highlighting Clontarf’s historic connection with Vikings and the upcoming millennium of the Battle of Clontarf in 2014.

The programme for Saturday, June 9 includes:

?¢ 11am: Walking Tour Clontarf Castle. Historian Dennis McIntyre will lead a tour of Clontarf’s Viking roots from Clontarf Castle to the Viking Theatre in The Sheds

?¢ 12noon: The Battle of Clontarf at the Viking Theatre, The Sheds. Discussion on the Battle of Clontarf hosted by Ragnar the Viking (as seen in RTE’s

‘The Only Viking in the Village’).

?¢ 1-7pm: Viking Village, the Promenade from the Bull Wall to the Yacht Club.

Viking Village: at a tented encampment complete with mercenaries, merchants and a monier. Montague Heritage Services will bring Clontarf’s vivid Viking history to life on the Promenade with authentic crafts, clothing and combat.

There will be displays throughout the day and adults can try their hand at archery, or let their little Vikings try their hand in the children’s combat training and witness the warriors as they brandish their medieval weapons.

?¢ Food Village: local restaurants 1014, Bay, Clontarf Castle, Downstairs at Gilbert & Wright, Hemingways, Kinara, Moloughney’s and Picasso’s will turn out to tempt and fortify the revellers and have also invited their suppliers along to showcase the best of Irish produce.

?¢ Air and Sea rescue demonstration by Howth Lifeguard.

?¢ Live music.

?¢ Jugglers, fire blowers and stilt walkers.

?¢ Children’s entertainment including face painting, chuggy, play centre, slides, bouncy castle, teddy ball pond, Giant Connect 4, Maxi Roll, Giant Jenga, Penalty Shoot Out, Speed Cage, Sumo Wrestling and an obstacle course.

Clontarf Vikings and Vampires 2012-2014 is a Clontarf Business Association initiative supported by Dublin City Council and Fáilte Ireland.

Plans underway to mark battle anniversary

PLANS are underway to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf which claimed the lives of over 10,000 people including High King of Ireland Brian Boru.

The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is in talks with historians, archaeologists and various groups in relation to how the battle, which took place in 1014, will be marked.

Even rugby star Keith Wood will be involved in events to mark the battle. It’s understood that the former Irish international will take part in an event at Killaloe, County Clare, where Brian Boru made his departure for the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

Ambassadors from Denmark and Norway will also be afforded an opportunity to make suggestions of how a co-ordinated commemoration can be developed to reflect the influence of the Vikings in Ireland and the Battle of Clontarf as a defining event in Irish history.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan revealed these initial details in response to Dail questions raised by Dublin North Central TD Finian McGrath (Ind).

According to Minister Deenihan, the millennium anniversary presents a special opportunity to

“enhance the appreciation and understanding of the Vikings in our national history, their settlement in centres throughout Ireland and contribution to economic and cultural life in Ireland

?.

“I understand the National Museum of Ireland intends to hold a major exhibition on Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf in 2014,

? Minister Deenihan stated.

“It is expected that the exhibition will have an international focus, with loans from institutions across Europe.

?

“The exhibition will not only present Ireland and Europe in the later Viking age but also examine the continuing significance of Brian Boru and Clontarf in Irish folklore and popular imagination right up to modern times.

?

Deputy Finian McGrath said he welcomed the Minister’s intention to commemorate the Battle of Clontarf in order to boost arts and tourism and build further links with the Nordic countries.

“I hope it will be remembered in a respectful way, with an acknowledgement that on Good Friday, April 23, 1014, almost 10,000 people lost their lives at Clontarf.

Deputy McGrath is calling on the Minister to meet with the people of Clontarf in relation to how the anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf can be celebrated.

“There is an opportunity to invite people to come to the country at a time when we are encouraging members of the diaspora to visit,

? he added.

“We should do this at an international and local level.

“The people of Clontarf are up for this game and want to get involved.

?