Vikings finally arrived

They finally arrived. A full size reconstructed Viking Warship “Havingsten”, known also as Sea Stallion of Glendalough, has arrived to Dublin yesterday around lunch time. Before one could see the boat, one could hear warning sirens of ships docked on the Liffey and bells in local churches – like almost 1000 years ago they were trying to warn citizens against the Viking invasion! There was no panic today, like more there would be in medieval times. Crowd of tourist on both sides of the river, reinforced with curious office workers that have just gone out for lunch, freezed in excitement.

First one could see port authority and fire brigade ships; only then between them there was Havingsten sailing proudly powered only by big orange and yellow sail. The After few minutes the sail was lowered and the sailors, encouraged by the crowds, started to row.

The Sea Stallion is docked on the Liffey close to IFSC and will be moved tomorrow overnight to the National Museum in Collins Barracks. On Friday at 6.30pm the National Museum will officially open the exhibition about the Sea Stallion and the Viking Age. It will run until summer 2008.

A stamp celebrating the arrival of the Viking Warship in Dublin was issued by An Post. The 55c stamp features the Sea Stallion of Glendalough, a reconstruction of the Skuldulev 2 Viking ship built in Dublin in 1042. Researched and illustrated by leading Irish philatelic artist Vincent Killowry, the stamp is available from the main post offices.

Where are the REAL Vikings?

The crew of replica Viking longship dropped plans to sail across the North Sea because of unfavourable winds and decided to take a tow to Orkney. The Sea Stallion of Glendalough, billed as the biggest ever Viking ship reconstruction, will be towed by a support ship before continuing its voyage to Dublin, where it is set to arrive on 14th August. You can find more info in this post. The plan was to travel from Roskilde to Dublin using only oars and sails - like Viking warriors did 1000 years ago.

Viking Dublin now on roadtoireland.eu

We have added a page on Viking Dublin, feedback is very welcomed!

Viking Dublin

To prepare for the arrival of the Viking warship Havhingsten in August to Dublin roadtoireland.eu team visited Dublinia - a multi-media presentation of Dublin's Viking and medieval history. As always to bring you the first hand experience we had to test everything (see photo below). This Medieval heritage centre, located beside Christ Church Cathedral, tells the story of the development of Dublin from the arrival of Vikings to the 16th century.
You can walk through reconstructed streets, visit the Merchant's House or observe the quayside activities. On the last floor you will find very informative display on Vikings. Dublinia & The Viking World recreate the lifestyle of Vikings and medieval Dubliners. The exhibition provides a unique insight into their everyday lives and reveals how their influence can still be felt today.The visit was highly enjoyable!

Vikings are coming back to Dublin

Dublin is to be invaded by Vikings this summer as the warship Havhingsten storms the River Liffey under the power of 65 oarsmen. The Viking ship will arrive on 14 August at the end of an arduous seven-week 1,000 miles voyage from Roskilde in Denmark via Norway and the Orkneys. The ship, also known as the Sea Stallion of Glendalough, will be displayed at the National Museum until its return journey to Denmark next year.

The arrival in Dublin will be a homecoming of sorts, as the Sea Stallion is a reconstruction of the Skuldelev 2 ship, built in Dublin in 1042, when the city’s links to the Viking world were at their strongest. The Skuldelev is believed to have sunk in Roskilde Fjord near Copenhagen 30 years later.