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

 

Norwegian Vikings to row in Killyleagh festival next month

Down Recorder - 27 April 2005

A Touch of spice has been added to next month's Viking boat festival in Killyleagh.

For the first time, real Vikings from the Bergen region in Norway will be taking part in the event which drew thousands of visitors to the town last year.

The Hookaan Hookaannsson Viking Association will be based in the centre of Killyleagh throughout the festival where they will be hosted by members of the Magnus Vikings from Downpatrick, who are official partners in this year's international boat race across the picturesque harbour.

Last year, the Bergen Vikings rowed their own boat from Norway to Scotland, through the Caledonian canal and are recognised as one of the premier associations in their home country.

The team from Bergen attended major Viking Festivals across Europe and are looking forward to their first visit to Killyleagh where they will be joined by the Peel Young Vikings from the Isle of Man who proved such a big hit last year.

The Peel team will be based in Killyleagh castle and its members are donating a trophy for the top mixed team.

England and Wales are supplying teams for this year's boat race and the Nationwide Building Society based in Swindon is also sending a team to Killyleagh.

Mr. Tim Plummer, head of Property Services at Nationwide, said last year's event was the best team building exercise money could buy.

"The team had a great time and when they came back, couldn't stop talking about the experience," he said.

The Nationwide team will also be joined by one from Aramak, one of the UK's largest catering companies. A team from Sheffield is also heading to Killyleagh, along with a combined team from the Cardiff and Midlands areas.

It is also hoped a Dublin-based team will be competing in Killyleagh.

A total of 19 teams have already confirmed their entries, with the locals including those entered by Killyleagh castle, Ringdufferin Golf Club, the Ulster Bank and Down Council. Also taking part will be teams from Killyleagh YFC, Killyleagh GAC and GiGi's Hairdressing salon.

Anyone interested in taking part in the event is asked to contact the organisers (028) 4482 1448, or log on at Killyboat@focused.ie