Ireland’s largest ever Viking invasion will take place at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare, from Saturday 28th June to Sunday 29th June ’08 (inclusive). Over 100 Viking warriors from all over Europe will invade the popular tourist attraction for what promises to be a magical Viking Festival of mayhem and fun. Fighting is expected to be hot and heavy but unlike historic battles of yesteryear there will be no blood spilt.

The event is being organised by Shannon Heritage, Shannon Development’s tourism subsidiary company, and has been designed to give visitors a unique insight into what life was like in Viking times.
 
Over 100 Viking re-enactors including the Award winning Fingal Living History Society, in full Viking costume, will be joined by Viking re-enactors from Britain, Scandinavia, Germany, Poland and Iceland. To create a real sense of living conditions at that time the re-enactors will literally move into the grounds of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park for the weekend event. They will work, cook, eat, fight and sleep on site.

“The Viking weekend at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is an addition to the Shannon Heritage calendar of events which we have developed over the years to enhance visitor experience at our rich portfolio of heritage attractions.  We are delighted that visitors to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will be given a unique opportunity to step back in time to witness life in a Viking village. Visitors can already experience life in mediaeval times at Bunratty Castle and also life in 19th century Ireland at Bunratty Folk Park. The Viking event will bring a lot of fun, knowledge and expertise to the spectacle and they enjoy nothing better than interacting with the public to answer any questions they may have about this colourful period in history,” says John Ruddle, Chief Executive, Shannon Heritage.

A Viking tented village comprising 20 tents will provide craft displays including; bone carving, leather work, children’s games, weapons display, armour display, chain mail making, shield making, bronze casting, coin making, finger braiding, and wood work. Tablet weaving, a form of weaving which goes back to approx. 1000 BC., will also be on display.

There will also be a cooking site where ancient cooking methods will be demonstrated including, bread making and roasting a pig on a spit. There will also be falconry displays throughout the weekend. The Folk Park’s two new resident Irish wolfhounds, Fionn and Grainne, will also be onsite to add their own bit of colour to the festivities.
 
The action packed event will take place from 11.00 am until 5.00 pm at Bunratty Castle on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June. Viking Warriors, in full armour, will demonstrate their fighting skills throughout the weekend. There will be two main battles at 12 noon and 4.00 pm daily, with smaller battles, and one on one combat throughout the day.

There will be a treat in store for the younger visitors who will get an opportunity to see the Noel Lambert Puppet Theatre perform their International hit show “Puppet Circus” back after sell out tours in the Middle East, in the Folk Park on Saturday 28th and  Sunday 29th of June  from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm.


Photo Caption:
Over 100 Vikings warriors will storm Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare on 28th and 29th June for a Festival of mayhem and fun. Pictured is David Savage of the Fingal Living History Society. The event is organised by Shannon Heritage and will take place at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.