Magnus Barelegs Viking Festival 2006 - Saturday Events

[ You are here: Magnus Barelegs Viking Festival > Saturday events ]

Saturday 13th May - a fun day for all the family

Magnus Barelegs and his small fleet of ships travelled up Strangford Lough and landed his ships near Downpatrick. He had come to collect cattle and provisions promised to him by King Murtagh O'Brien for their journey home to Scandinavia. Returning to his ships he was mistaken as a raider and the Irish attacked. The Vikings were greatly outnumbered but a brave and ferocious battle ensued.

12.00 - Gates open at Delamont Country Park

12.00 - Viking Village: Living history
Visit the Viking Settlement to learn more about life 1000 years ago. Meet the crafts people demonstrating and selling their wares.

12.00 - 2.00pm - Viking trial of strength
Vikings are put to the test in a trial of strength. Which of the warriors will you back to win the Viking Strong Man 2006 trophy? Look out for leg wrestling and Viking wife carrying.

12.00 - 2.00pm - Viking weapons training
Fearsome Vikings will be recruiting young trainees to learn the secrets of Viking battle tactics.

12.00 - 2.00pm - Have a go archery
Try out your skills under the supervision of a master archer.

12.00 - 4.00pm - Hands on activities
Have a go at making a Viking costume or Viking dolls. Have a game of Viking skittles.

12.00 - 2.30pm - Treasure hunt
Explore Delamont and see if you can find the answers to some tricky questions.

1.00 - 2.00pm - Falconry display
This is a rare opportunity to get close to some beautiful birds of prey and see them in flight. Learn about the history of birds of prey from the Viking times to the present day.

2.30pm - Viking invasion: Longships on the shore
Returning to his ships Magnus was mistaken as a raider and the Irish attacked. The Vikings were greatly outnumbered but a brave and ferocious battle ensued.

3.00pm - Battle spectacular: Clash of weapons
The Vikings assemble to face their foe as the Irish attack. Witness skirmishes, shield walls and the glitter of weapons. Who will win the day?

4.30pm - Funeral procession: Magnus is honoured as a Viking king
A torch light procession will carry the King Magnus to the Viking funeral boat. Young Vikings will get the chance to follow the procession to a vantage point to watch the burning.

5.00pm - Viking funeral boat: Journey to the afterlife
Vikings believe that their world and all that is in it should end in flames. They place their honoured dead in grounded ships along with tools and weapons and set the ships ablaze. The souls would wing to the halls of Valhalla, for an eternity of feasting and brawlin