Viking Boat Race - Press Room

Anyone interested in helping with the organisation of next year's Viking boat races, five mile challenge run or get involved with the Killyleagh Social Partnership, is asked to contact Mr.  Huddleston, telephone (028) 4482 8114.

If there is anyone who feels they can help by providing the sponsorship, whatever the size - contact Tony Davies - (028) 4482 1461 or email killyboat@focused.ie

 

Vote for Magnus

Press Release 2

The voters in Hartlepool were given the opportunity to vote for a monkey for Mayor, in 2005 the voters in Down District appear to have been given an opportunity to vote for someone called Magnus.

“Vote for Magnus” signs have been appearing in and around Killyleagh in the last 10 days and have caught the imagination of many people who are bored with the election.  The signs are the brainchild of the Killyleagh Social Partnership who organise the annual Killyleagh Viking Boat Festival, which runs in the town between May 27th and 29th.  This years event has attracted real live Vikings from Bergen and Isle of Man as well as wannabees from Sheffield, Swindon, Cardiff and Litchfield.  Local teams have also entered in force and the number of teams registered today stands at 23.

One of the organisers Bob Little says “This year the Festival faced a problem of how to compete against all the election advertising swamping the province and the organising committee hit on the idea of promoting a ‘Vote Magnus’ campaign to attract attention to the event. Magnus of course was all for uniting people and communities under his rule so he would be a very appropriate leader in modern day Northern Ireland, although his methods of direct taxation were somewhat violent!”

The campaign has certainly had an effect and has started to attract much media interest with the Newsletter running an article on it on the 27th April. Bob Little added “It is so successful in fact that we might even consider running a real ‘Magnus’ candidate next time round. Who knows, he may even get elected; after all, Hartlepool elected a monkey as Mayor!! We think he certainly would liven up the Down Council meetings!”

In the festival this year Magnus will fight battles at Delamont on Saturday afternoon, host a Viking banquet at the Killyleagh Show Grounds on Saturday night as well as leading the Parade of teams on Sunday when it is hoped over 400 people will parade through the centre of Killyleagh before the boat races commence at 15:30. 

“The Show Grounds event promises to be spectacular” says organiser Tony Davies.  “With plenty of space to accommodate torch lit processions and Viking bonfires as well as authentic Viking fare this promises to be an event to remember.  The Local Viking beers Barlegs Brew and Legbiter will also feature prominently.  We’ve got some great music arranged with the return of the Blarney Boys who were a hit in 2004 with festival goers.  Local DJ Thomas John will complete the line up for evening”.

This festival is rapidly becoming the premier Viking event in Ireland. Last year it attracted some 3,000 visitors into Killyleagh a real boost to the local economy and to Northern Ireland tourism. As an addition in 2005 we are also introducing the first ever ‘Viking Duck Race’ racing rubber Ducks in the harbour, we are searching for a volunteer to take on the role of ‘Dick the Duck’ to co-ordinate this.

Tickets will be on sale for the Killyleagh events soon.  Full details will be published on www.killyleagh.org or can be obtained by calling Brigeen on 4482 1461