Magnus Barelegs Viking Festival, Killyleagh 12 to 14 May 2006

 

“Blonde and Dangerous”

Posters have been appearing around the District with the caption ‘Blonde and Dangerous’.  “It’s an improvement on what I’m normally called” said one of the Magnus Vikings.  “However, it’s unfortunately it’s not really about me, but about the Vikings returning to Killyleagh for the annual Magnus Barelegs festival”.  These blonde and dangerous invaders will roam our lands this year from the 12th to the 14th May.   Once again there will “real” Vikings at the festival with The Hookaan Hookaanssoon Viking Association from Bergen in Norway returning for their second year at the event.  The Bergen team were the winners of the mixed rowing team trophy at the 2005 festival and are returning to defend their honour.  Once again this group will be based in the centre of Killyleagh. 

The festival kicks off on Friday night at Ringdufferin Golf Club, continues at Delamont on the Saturday with a fun packed family day, a torch light procession through Killyleagh on Saturday night and then the famous longboat races at Killyleagh harbour on the Sunday.

Also returning to the festival this year are the overall winners of the 2005 rowing competition, the Peel Young Vikings Again.   So keen were the Peel boys to attend the festival that they booked their accommodation within hours of the race date being organised.  They will be based in Killyleagh Castle and will once again this year be seen about the town.  The majority of the team will arrive in Northern Ireland by sea by a rib.  The plan is to sail into Strangford Lough or as Keith Horne one of the team puts it “drop us off as near the door of the Dufferin as possible”.  Keith also added “the Young Viking team are really looking forward to the 2006 festival and wish the hard working organisers good luck with the event”. 

New comers to the festival this year are a re-enactment group from Poland who will be taking part in the exciting events in Delamont on the Saturday as well as living in the Viking village for the duration of the festival.

 “There are more people taking part in re-enactment this year which should lead to more realistic and exciting scenes.  More importantly we’ve extended the festival so that as many local people as possible get the opportunity to see Viking life thrillingly evoked in a host of action-pact activities” said Anita Gribben, Communications Officer for the event.  “There are lots of different ways that people can take part and new and exciting things to do.  This years event has a number of new attractions in Delamont, building on the success of previous years.  You can step back in time to visit the Viking Settlement to learn more about life 1000 years ago and meet the crafts people demonstrating and selling their wares. There are lots of hand on activities such as archery, shield wall training and Viking skittles. Children can also make their own costumes, Viking dolls, design shields and take part in a treasure hunt.”

The highlight of the day is the popular Viking invasion where returning to his ships Magnus is mistaken as a raider and the Irish attack. The Vikings are greatly outnumbered but a brave and ferocious battle ensues.  Visitors can witness skirmishes, shield walls and the glitter of weapons.  A torch light procession will carry the dead King Magnus to the Viking funeral boat.  Later in Killyleagh the Vikings will once again be seen mourning their dead King as they process around the harbour before a Viking soliloquy is said at the Smugglers Arms.  “We are hoping that people will turn out to witness this new addition to this festival, as well as the competitor parade which will take place through the streets of Killyleagh on Sunday at 13:30.  We are still looking for a few more teams to take part in the rowing event, if you are interested please call 4482 1461 during office hours or e-mail killyboat@focused.ie”

The Magnus Vikings Association and the Killyleagh Social Partnership are running this year’s event together and plan to build on the success of previous years.   The organisers would like to extend their thanks to the Northern Ireland Events Company, the Nationwide Building Society and Down District Council for their support of this year’s festival.  Full details of the weekends activities can be see on their website www.killyleagh.org/magnus or Tel: 028 4461 2233 .