We are leaving next weekend for 13 day trip to Ireland. We will be traveling south from Shannon to Dublin. My husband just started to read about Ireland and got excited about Viking history and he was wondering what places to visit or tour to learn more about this. Any suggestions? We will be stopping at Dingle, Killarney, Kenmare, Kinsale, Kilkenny and Dublin
At Newgrange, in the gift shop, I spotted a book on "Horrible Viking History" which I picked up and read some of. Very interesting view of history when you basically make a joke of it.
One cartoon showed some Vikings and some Monks. The Monks commented, "Lets go here and pray" while the Vikings commented "Lets go here and prey!" The book was full of a lot of history of the Vikings in Ireland. I imagine it's available elsewhere in Ireland.
Both Wexford and Limerick were founded by Vikings. The Vikings left manya mark in Ireland including: Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Strangford, Leixlip, Carlingford, Youghal, Howth and Dalkey. Dublin, of course, was a Viking stronghold in the late 800s. In 841, the Vikings established fortified encampments at Annagassan which is now County Louth and Dubhlinn. They pillaged Clonmacnoise, Birr and Clonfert, taking captive monks and scholars and selling them into slavery. Monastic Settlements were a favorite target.
Round towers were constructed by the villagers and monks as a defense against the viking raids. Interestingly, this is when the Stone carved High Crosses also appeared. Prior to the Viking raids, the crosses were wooden and less ornate.
Enough History, on to your actual question. A visit to Wexford, Cork, and Dublin could satisfy his curiousity. As Michele indicated, both Dublinia & the Viking Splash tour would be of interest. As might a visit to the Irish National Heritage Park in Co. Wexford.
Slan Beo,
Bit
-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Friday 17th of September 2010 11:52:46 AM