Magnus Barelegs Viking Festival 2007 - Press Room

Taken from the Down Recorder - 18/04/07

The Americans are coming to County Down

A team from the John Brown University in Arkansas is heading to the shores of Strangford Lough to take part in the Magnus Barelegs festival which is now a truly international event. Mr. Tony Davies, chairman of the Killyleagh Social Partnership, which is organising the event, said he was delighted with the announcement. Teams from Norway, the Isle of Man, Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland have all been coming to Killyleagh since the start of the Viking boat races.

Organisers have repeatedly tried to get a team from the States to compete and are fortunate the Arkansas University has agreed to send a team to Killyleagh. Members of the JBU outfit will line up against the Peel Young Vikings Again from the Isle of Man, the Nationwide team from Swindon and a team from Deane and Amos in Northampton, who are all first-time visitors. In addition, the organisers are hoping that 20 or more local teams will take part in the event which was won last year by local company, Clarke Cunningham.

“We hope they and many other local teams will enter this year’s competition and make it truly spectacular,” Mr. Davies said.  “I hope everyone who takes part has great fun and raises money for charity at the same time.” The Arkansas visitors plan to spend 10 days in Killyleagh when they will also run a summer serve scheme for local children and be included in a local event, said Brit Windell, local JBU co-ordinator.

“The team will arrive in Killyleagh on Friday, May 18, and one of the first things they will do is attend the costume workshop to make their costumes for the event.”Founded in Northwest Arkansas in 1919, the John Brown University is ranked sixth in the US Southern Region and serves over 1,900 students from 40 nations and 43 states. Its representatives heading to Killyleagh will be taking part in the events at Delamont and also learning the secrets of Viking battle tactics.

They will also get to handle protective armour, see Viking weapons at close quarters and learn the finer points of the Viking shield wall as an effective defence against attack. Philip Campbell, of the Magnus Vikings, explained the Viking shield wall was one of the most enjoyable events for many youngsters at last year’s festival, explaining they learnt a lot and had great fun.

Also this year at Delamont there will be static displays of a wide variety of Viking weapons and a number of sword combat demonstrations. Philip added: “We have visited a number of schools throughout Northern Ireland with our Viking displays and the children love to get the opportunity to take part in a shield wall.  It’s a safe way for them to interact with the re-enactors and learn about the Viking way of life.

“However, the Saturday event is not all about weapons and fighting this year.  There will be plenty of opportunities to see the finer side of Viking life, including how beautifully crafted cloths and jewellery were made.  There will also be an opportunity to learn about Viking beliefs and myths.”

Add in face painting, fun balloons, Viking costume workshops, games of Viking skittles, torch lit processions, craft fairs and treasure hunts, this year’s festival is one for the whole family.