Craggaunowen will echo to the sound of clashing steel this May Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday, 3 May, and Sunday, 4 May) as fearsome Norse warriors take over the historic County Clare site, transforming it into a bustling Viking village.
The centrepiece of the ‘Viking Invasion of Craggaunowen’ will be thrilling battle reenactments on the Castle Green, taking place twice daily at midday and 4.00 p.m. when warriors clash in fierce combat displays that bring the drama of the Viking Age to life.
After each battle, young visitors can join shield drills in which they will learn the tactics behind the legendary Viking Shield Wall and train like warriors of old.
Beyond the battlefield, visitors will be able to discover what life was like in the Viking Village by stepping back in time to explore the daily lives of the pagan warriors. The Village features historically accurate tents, each transformed into a bustling workshop where crafters demonstrate a wide range of traditional skills, including pottery, leatherworking, armoury, trading, hunting, fishing, and fibre crafts.
Live demonstrations of meals being cooked over open flames, just as they were over a thousand years ago, will fill the Craggaunowen air with rich aromas and the sound of crackling firewood. The Viking cooks will be using only authentic ingredients available during the Viking Age.
A Moneyer, essential to Viking communities, will demonstrate how coins were made and how the Vikings introduced them to Ireland. Children will each receive a complimentary replica coin as a memento of their visit.
There will also be family-friendly fun with Viking-themed games, from Knubb, the log-throwing challenge, to Hnefatafl, the Viking strategy game often called the ancestor of chess.
Stephen Hanley, General Manager of Clare Tourism East, commented, “This two-day event offers a unique, immersive learning experience where visitors of all ages can not only witness the excitement of Viking battles but also explore the rich history of Viking life. From ancient combat tactics and crafts to the cooking methods and currency used by the Norsemen, it’s an educational adventure that brings history to life in a way that’s both fun and unforgettable.”
The Clare Collection visitor attraction at Craggaunowen, managed by Clare County Council, last year celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding by John Hunt of The Hunt Collection. The site offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, recreating the lives of Ireland’s Bronze Age inhabitants. Visitors can explore a 16th-century castle and a reconstructed crannóg, showcasing how the Celts lived, worked, and defended themselves.
Tickets for the ‘Viking Invasion of Craggaunowen’ are available online at www.craggaunowen.ie.
