Annagassan Viking Festival

The Vikings are coming to Louth this weekend as Annagassan hosts its second annual Viking festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday next (August 9^th 10^th & 11^th).

Annagassan was a prominent Viking settlement in the mid 9^th century and saw many battles between the native Irish and Danish invaders. This festival celebrates many aspects of Viking heritage but has a very strong fun element throughout.

It starts on Friday with Vikings stopping off in various towns around the area – Warrenpoint, Dundalk, Drogheda and Ardee on their way to Annagassan for some traditional music in the local pubs that evening.

On Saturday and Sunday there are re-enactments of battles between the Irish and Vikings, a chance to sail into Dundalk bay on a Viking long boat, traditional Irish and Danish music and dancing, tours of Annagassan and of a specially constructed Viking village of the time filled with Viking food, drinks, crafts and weaponry.

There are many fun activities for children such as face painting, bouncy castles and pony rides. Another unusual aspect of the event is a dog show with a difference. It is limited to Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds only and hopes to end up with the record for the world’s tallest dog.

The village of Annagassan is located 20 minutes drive from Smarmore Castle. We would like to wish Conor and all the organisers good luck with the event. Full details can be found at http://www.annagassanvikingfestival.com/index.html