Borre vikings raiding Ireland
- by Catharina Uhlmann -
As we did not have a viking market in Borre this year, Borre Vikinglag could raid foreign shores. Arranged by the project Vikings in Vestfold , the viking ship Gaia sailed across the North Sea this summer, and 65 members of Borre Vikinglag took the opportunity to go to the Irish town of Wexford to meet the Gaia crew and Irish re-enactment groups.
Beforehand a container with 5 tons of equipment was sent for Ireland . Somewhat strange luggage included the Gokstad boat Frøya, several viking tents, iron cauldrons, ovens and grinding mill, and personal belongings that could prove difficult to get onboard a plane these days; be it shields, swords or spears.
Foto Vigdis Helmersen
Wednesday 27th of July we met at Torp airport, and managed to maintain a cheerful mood and high expectations throughout an almost 12 hour journey, until we could stumble trough a pitch dark Irish National Heritage Park . This 35 acre park has 16 archaeological and historical reconstructions, which was of great inspiration to the vikings from Borre, who have worked for 10 years now to get permission to build a viking house in Horten.
Some put their tent up in the darkness with a little help from good friends. Others spent the night in the large tent – and had to put their tents up the following morning – in pouring rain! The weather was not god during our stay in Ireland , with rain most of the time. We did get a warm welcome from the staff though!
Foto Vigdis Helmersen
Thursday we went to Dublin to visit the National Museum with its collections from the viking age. The director was pleased to see us dressed in viking clothing, and rather impressed at our emphasis on authentic textiles, jewellery and accessories. Still somewhat sceptical to let us in though, pleading us not to pillage any more gold from Ireland, as they had so little left from when the vikings last visited the country! The other visitors believed us to be part of the exhibition and we were constantly asked to pose on photos. We behaved very decent – and robbed nothing! Even though we found many wonderful treasures we most have “forgotten” to take with us 1200 years ago!! In the museum we could se models of Viking towns, jewellery, tools and weapons. The museum shop was just as interesting, and now we did not leave empty handed.
Foto Inger Aass
That evening we were invited to an official reception in the service centre, with official suits like mayor and County Council of Wexford, and the chairman of Vestfold County . Presents were exchanged with promises of long lasting friendship and close cooperation in the future. The speakers talked fondly about the last time the vikings visited Ireland – like fond memories!
Friday we made our way to Wexford to make some publicity for the park and our selves. The town was decorated with Norwegian flags and posters announcing that the vikings were back, so a parade of vikings through he main street was a popular event. A bit shy in the beginning, but we were there to put on a show, and soon vikings could be seen storming into jewellery or liquor stores, screaming on the top of their lungs and scaring the living daylights out of the spectators.
We did get shouts like: ”The vikings are back! Hide the women and bury the gold!” True enough – the male vikings did abduct a number of beautiful girls among the bystanders. This has probably been a secret dream for the boys for a long time! Some of the victims looked terrified, other seamed rather pleased and full of expectations! Their boyfriends looking more worried though!
We did get many laughs when asking the bystanders for a light… and directions for the nearest church! We didn't get to torch any churches though, but it did result in many invitations to go to the pub and have “something Irish” to drink. After a few hours of intense pub visits, most of the inhabitants of Wexford had pledged to visit us in the park during the weekend.
Friday night we were invited to yet another reception with pleasant atmosphere, delicious food and drink, and entertainment including Riverdance, Irish folk music and storytellers. The Irish re-enactment groups had also arrived by now, and we could get to know them. In addition to the air-borne vikings, other Borre vikings arrived by car, bike and of course sailing Gaia.
Not everybody got a good night sleep before Saturday morning. It continued to rain, and the boat Frøya filled up with water. In the middle of the night, in darkness and rain, boat and ores had to be rescued ashore by sleepy but resourceful Vikings in briefs and raincoat!
Foto Inger Aass
The market opened on Saturday, and we got ready with our crafts and sales stalls. Visitors appeared in great numbers, and showed great interest in different craft and also in re-enactment as a hobby. The spectators could see knife makers and blacksmiths at work, see archery and fight shows, and demonstrations of woodwork, weaving, sawing and making of glass beads. The visitors spent long time with each and everyone of us, and we answered questions and posed on photos all day long.
Foto Maren
Saturday night we witnessed a very special occasion as two of our members got married according to old Norse tradition. The bride and groom accompanied by warriors, musicians and wedding guests paraded from the viking village to the monastery. Although stopped by both Irish warriors and monks, some silver solved all conflicts and the procession arrived safely. In front of hundreds of spectators, chosen witnesses, Norse gods and the master of ceremony, the bride and groom could make their vows, and got their hands tied together. The impressive wedding ceremony or “håndfaste” was completed with harp music and beautiful singing.
It was song, music and recitations in honour of the newly wed couple around the camp fire that night. And the bride and groom applauded the entertainers with tied hands. Late at night, the hands were untied and the women fetched the bride to take her to a viking house decorated with lights and linen. With happy laughter the bride was put to bed and prepared for her wedding night, waiting for the men to bring the groom. He got his share of good advice before he was rather roughly undressed and put to bed with his waiting bride, and the rest of us went back to the campfire to continue the celebration. Unfortunately the different re-enactment groups were place all over the large park, but in the evenings we had opportunity to visit each other and get acquainted.
The market continued on Sunday, and the park had never had more visitors. It was a busy day for us talking to guests and telling them about the vikings and showing our craft.
Monday was the last market day, and still large numbers of visitors came to the park. At 16.00 we had to start packing all our stuff. Tents and equipment was quickly packed and carried down to the service centre, and taken to the container. Some of the crew from Gaia came to help us with this work, and also our new Irish friends and the staff from the park.
Foto Inger Aass
Like giant puzzle we managed to get all our things back into the container again, just in time so visit the Old Oak Tavern one last time to wash down the dust from the long hours of hard work. We only had a few hours to relax before its time to get started for the airport to go back home to Norway . We return with many fond memories and many new friends and contacts.
Borre Vikinglag wish to thank the project Vikinger i Vestfold, Chairman of Vestfold County, Mayor of Wexford, Wexford County Council, the Irish re-enactment groups, the staff at Irish National Heritage Park, and the crew from Gaia for making this an unforgettable experience.
