This coming weekend, the Greenway at Carriganore will be over-run with Vikings, as Déise Medieval creates living history as part of the Aonach na nDéise festival.
The event will be held from 1.00 p.m., to 5.00 p.m., this Saturday, 16 August and 10.00 a.m., to 5.00 p.m., on Sunday, 17 August, on the Greenway at Carriganore.
Déise Medieval, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Waterford City & County Council Heritage Office are delighted to host Aonach na nDéise – a free family festival with Viking re-enactors as they recreate the daily life of our ancestors.
Déise Medieval is a voluntary group of historical re-enactors based in and around Waterford who are dedicated to authentically recreating the daily lives of the Hiberno Norse … or basically how our Viking ancestors lived 1,000 years ago, when Waterford was known as Vadrefjord.
During the two day festival, our living history and craft village will feature traditional Viking activities, such as spinning and weaving, cooking and food, the spice trader, kids games and pastimes, daily life, witchcraft, medicine and a full weapon display – with the chance to try on a helmet and hold a sword or axe!
Both Western and Eastern styles of battle will also take place during the day and there will be ‘Kiddie Vike’ where the under 10's can take part in their own battle against our warriors!
ARCHAEOLOGY
Archaeologists from TVAS Ireland will be running the popular 'Dig in a Box' attraction, this is a great opportunity for kids to learn about the work that archaeologists do, what they find and the tools and techniques that they use. Kids can also enjoy helping the archaeologists to excavate the replica ‘Woodstown Warrior Viking Grave’.
BIRDS OF PREY
Also at the festival this year will be Raven Haven Aviaries, who are breeders and exhibitors of native birds, birds of prey and also run a rescue for native wildlife. This is a great opportunity to get a photo with a bird of prey or with the very famous ‘Dave the Raven’.
REPLICA VIKING SHIP
Paul Kavanagh from Lakes Vikings will be on hand with a replica Viking Ship to talk about how important boats were in Viking life.
And, at 2.00 p.m., on Sunday, 17 August, we will recreate the Burial of The Woodstown Warrior!
We are delighted to be partnering yet again with the National Museum of Ireland and representatives from the museum will be attending with the Museum's replica Viking artefact handling collection.
SEVENTH YEAR
A spokesperson for Déise Medieval told The Munster Express: “This will be the seventh year of this popular event and we are excited to be able to welcome many fellow re-enactors to Carriganore, who are coming from all around Ireland and even from beyond the waters”.
“We would like to thank our sponsors without whom this event would not be possible: TII, Waterford City and County Council, The Heritage Office, National Museum of Ireland, Clem Jacob Hire, Kiely Meats, Prestige Painters and many other individuals,” the spokesperson added.
