Magnus Barelegs Viking Festival 2008

 

The Biggest Viking Festival in Ireland!

Come and help Killyleagh make the fifth annual, Viking Boat Race a success!  Accept our invitation to participate in an event that helps worthy causes and which will give you a weekend to remember for ever!

Killyleagh is a town on the banks of Strangford Lough, one of the most beautiful and historic areas of Northern Ireland.  Within ten miles of the town our Patron Saint, Saint Patrick, and the Viking King, Magnus Barelegs, are buried.  Strangford Lough is where Saint Patrick landed in Ireland in 432AD and from where the Celtic Monks spread Christianity through Ireland and Europe.  Today the local area is rediscovering itself as many of the traditional industries have disappeared to be slowly replaced by new opportunities.  The Lough, with reputably 365 islands and/or rocky outcrops, is an area of designated beauty and a haven for wildlife.

The boat race is designed to attract people to our little town thus boosting the local economy while at the same time raising money for Good Causes.  Each year the local council and local Viking Association run an event to celebrate Magnus Barelegs, a Viking King with connections to County Down.  Last year was the first in which the Killyleagh Social Partnership and the Magnus Vikings took over the running of the event.

We hope to attract teams of personalities, sports clubs, businesses, social clubs, charities, churches, politicians and more.  We want the event to reflect as much of Northern Ireland life as possible!  Local support is vital to our event. 

We hope to maximise the opportunities for organisations to raise funds and so that the local community can benefit in the longer term.  All the money we raise by running the event will be put to cross community work via the Killyleagh Social Partnership that is already doing significant work in the town.

How does it work?

You don’t have to be experienced to take part!  We’ll provide rowing coaching and practice time so that everyone can take part.  Each team comprises ten people, though where possible we advise teams to bring some reserves!

Each team is expected to raise money for Charity.  You can nominate a charity of your choice or contribute to local Northern Ireland charities; such as the Killyleagh Drop-In Centre or Killyleagh Youth Project, both working with youngsters in the town.

Teams wishing to enter are asked for a minimum donation of £100, this will help cover the costs of organising the festival.  Any surplus funds we obtain will go to cross community work of the Killyleagh Social Partnership, which will include running the 2009 Viking Boat Race!

The Event

It is planned that the festivities will be of a similar format to those organised in 2004 - 2007. 

Help Make our Event a Success

There are a number of reasons why we hope that you will accept our invitation to participate in the Viking Boat race.  You’d be:

• Helping an area of Northern Ireland with high unemployment to draw people into the town for an event which will stimulate the local economy as well as doing good work in the longer term
• Have a great weekend, you supply the team, we’ll supply the craic

For some organisations there will be a benefit in the team building aspect, for others experiencing our unique County Down hospitality will be enough, others will be attracted by the opportunity to raise money for their own charities, whatever your motivation come and join us.

To learn more about our part of the world check out our town website at www.killyleagh.org.

How To Apply

Applying is really easy; all you need to do is complete the application below and return it to Magnus Barelegs Viking Festival, 22 Shore Road, Killyleagh, County Down BT30 9UE.  Alternatively send an e-mail with the information requested below to killyboat@focused.ie

Killyleagh the little town with Big ideas!

Team Application Form 2008

Application Form

Name of Team Leader:
Organisation:
Contact Phone Number:
Contact e-mail address:
Contact Address:
Charity you will be supporting (if applicable)