FULL PROGRAMME FOR FAREWELL FESTIVAL FOR SEA STALLION FROM GLENDALOUGH
(28-29 June 2008)

Hjemrejsen Havhingsten fra Glendalough vender hjem til Roskilde / Return voyage - Sea Stallion from Glendalough sets sail for Roskilde

Full programme details (PDF, 439Kb)

In 1962 archaeologists found the remains of five different Viking ships at the bottom of the Roskilde fjord, near the village of Skuldelev, in Denmark. The largest of the five ships, which was initially thought to be two different ships, turned out to be one very long one measuring 30 metres with a width of 3.8 metres. The vessel was designed to sail at great speed, to be highly manoeuvrable, and to carry a crew of 60 to 90 Vikings. These warships enabled the Scandinavians to gain military control of many parts of Europe during the Viking Age. This vessel (or one very similar to it) reputedly sailed from the Viking settlement at Wood Quay in Dublin, after the Battle of Hastings, carrying King Harold’s daughter, Gytha, to the safety of the court of King Svein in Roskilde, the then capital of Denmark.

After several decades of sailing the Irish seas, the longboat was sailed to Roskilde where it was scuttled, with others, to block the fjord from invasion by Norwegian raiding parties towards the end of the 11th century. The original longship has been raised from the seabed and is on exhibition in the Roskilde Ship Museum, the ‘Vikingeskibsmuseet’. In 2000, with the financial help of the Tuborg Foundation, the Viking Ship Museum started a project to reconstruct the “Skuldelev 2” warship. During four years, more than 600,000 visitors at the Viking Ship Museum watched six boat builders working on the construction of a replica of the longboat using the same tools, materials, and building methods that the Vikings would have used to build the original ship. The replicated vessel has been christened the Sea Stallion from Glendalough or Havhingsten Fra Glendalough. This name was chosen in recognition of the fact that dendochronolgical analysis of the wood of the original shows that it came from Dublin around the year 1042 AD.

As a result of cooperation between the National Museum of Ireland and the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde the replica ship, the Sea Stallion, sailed 1,257 nautical miles to Dublin in the summer of 2007, as part of a ‘living archaeological experiment’ to test the ship in what would have been its historic home waters. Since its ceremonial arrival in Dublin last August the ship has been exhibited in the National Museum of Ireland’s Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks where over 200,000 people visited it.

The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is grateful for the cooperation it has received in this project from the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Dublin City Council, Dublin Tourism, the Irish Embassy in Copenhagen, the Departments of Defence and Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Diageo, the Cathedrals of Christ Church and St Patrick’s. The project could not have taken place without the support of the Dublin Port Company, Dublin Docklands Development Authority and the Royal Danish Embassy in Dublin and without years of cooperation between the National Museum of Ireland and the Vikingeskibsmuseet, Roskilde.

In relation to the Time Capsule project, particular thanks are due to The Irish Times, our other partners, Newstalk 106-108 fm, Eason & Son Ltd, Carphone Warehouse, Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland and all the other many contributors to this project. The Time Capsule will be stored in Roskilde until 2258 – 250 years after this historic return voyage.

Farvel, Havhingsten fra Glendalough / Farewell, Sea Stallion from Glendalough

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS -THE VIKING FESTIVAL
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 (12 noon to 6 p.m.) Essex Street West, Temple Bar, Wood Quay Amphitheatre and Docklands

As part of the celebrations for the departure of The Sea Stallion why not explore our Viking heritage at Dublin’s first Viking Festival. Discover the “Medieval Market” in Essex Street in the heart of Viking Dublin and go back in time to the living history village in the Civic Offices Park. Mingle with authentically dressed Viking re-enactors displaying a variety of crafts including, a blacksmith, silversmith, leather worker, textiles worker, cook, boatbuilder and woodworker all in an area with authentic tents and exhibitions.

• Farmers/Food Market (12noon-6pm on Essex Street East and Essex Street West).
• Celtic/Nordic Mandala (Street Art)
• Viking Village (12 noon-6pm Wood Quay)
• Living History Displays (12noon-6pm Wood Quay)
• Battle Re-enactment (Wood Quay)
• Strolling Danish Fiddlers (Wood Quay and Temple Bar)
• Outdoor Film Screenings in Temple Bar

The Viking Village and Living History displays will consist of Living History Encampment: an area with authentic tents and exhibitions. Considering the theme of the event, crafts displays based around boat building and woodwork are to be a principal feature. Other crafts include a blacksmith, silversmith, leather worker, textiles worker and cook. A display of falconry is also planned. All of the Living History People will be wearing authentic Viking dress and using authentic replica tools. Members of the public will be able to walk around this area and interact with the different characters.

Military Display: At the appointed times choreographed fight scenes and weapon displays will take place. After each skirmish a short presentation on the weapons and their uses and history will be given. Members of the public will be given the opportunity to ask questions and hold the weapons and armour.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS - THE RETURN VOYAGE OF THE SEA STALLION FROM GLENDALOUGH TO ROSKILDE / Hjemrejsen – Havhingsten fra Glendalough vender hjem til Roskilde

SUNDAY 29th JUNE
Custom House Quay, (beside the Sean O’Casey Footbridge) Dublin, from 9.30 a.m.
Master of Ceremonies: Mr Myles Dungan

The Festivities start with a performance by the Gardiner Street Gospel Choir at 9.30 a.m. Amongst the musicians performing at the quayside will be Hooks and Crookes a Sea Shanty group from Waterford and the Stork Ejlaender Shanty Choir from Fanø, Southern Jutland, Venlig hilsen, the group of Fiddle players from Denmark who have been associated with Sea Stallion from Glendalough since the ship’s launch by Queen Margrette II on 4th September 2004, and traditional Irish musician, James Mahon, amongst others.

After farewell messages from Tinna Damgärd-Sørensen, Director of the Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde, Dr Pat Wallace, Director of the National Museum of Ireland, Mr Martin Cullen, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, and the Lord Mayor of Dublin and Admiral of the Port, Cllr Paddy Bourke, the crew of the Sea Stallion will embark.

At 11.45 a.m. the Sea Stallion from Glendalough/Havhingsten fra Glendalough sets sail on her new adventure south in the Irish Sea skirting the Welsh coast and heading east around the South Coast of England to Roskilde, scheduled to arrive safely there on the 9th August 2008. An escort into Dublin Bay will be led by the L. E. Emer, a flotilla of heritage sailing boats, RIBs, and other vessels.

Complimentary refreshments will be served on the quayside.

Farvel, Havhingsten fra Glendalough / Farewell, Sea Stallion from Glendalough

Messages of Support

Mary McAleese, The President of Ireland
It is with great pleasure that I send my warmest greetings to the sailors of the Viking Long Boat The Sea Stallion from Glendalough — Havhingsten fra Glendalough. I wish you every success on your peaceful passage in the wake of warlike predecessors. Guim gach rath ar bhur dturas agus tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh taitneamh agus tairbhe as.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Paddy Bourke
One of my first official functions last year as Lord Mayor of Dublin was to welcome the Sea Stallion from Glendalough/Havhingsten fra Glendalough and her crew to Dublin during one of the wettest and stormiest summers we have experienced for a long time. Their voyage, eventful, challenging and exciting, was also one of great discovery, both personal and scientific, and her visit here has enriched us all. Through the Letter of Friendship between the ancient Viking cities of Dublin and Roskilde, the continuing links and friendships will continue to grow over the coming years.
With great pleasure, I wish this beautiful and inspiring vessel and her brave and stalwart crew every good wish and safe passage for their return voyage to Roskilde. Slán go Fóill.

Martin Cullen T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism
I wish The Sea Stallion from Glendalough/Havhingsten fra Glendalough every good fortune on its continuing journey. The voyage from Roskilde to Dublin last year was an inspiration to us all and will be long remembered in both our countries, as well as further afield.
The Sea Stallion symbolises the shared history of Ireland and Denmark and will continue to link in friendship and community, both our peoples and countries now and into the future.

John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment
I bid a fond adieu to Captain Carsten Hvid and the adventurous crew of the Havhingsted fra Glendalough. I was here last year when this magnificent vessel arrived in Dublin, and I must say I am as impressed now as I was then. You know, it really is inspiring to think that long ships like this were being built almost a thousand years ago. This ship has proved that even then, Ireland was a mecca for our European neighbours. The timber for the original vessel of which this is a replica was felled in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains, and last year we planted trees in Glendalough to commemorate its vicarious return to these shores.
I now wish the ship and its crew *God rejse!*

Willie O’Dea, T.D., Minister for Defence
I am delighted to have this opportunity to bid farewell to the Sea Stallion from Glendalough as she commences the formidable return voyage to Roskilde from Dublin. As Minister for Defence, I am very pleased that the Irish Defence Forces have been involved in the activities and celebrations surrounding this historic and unique visit. It is particularly appropriate that the L.E. Emer is escorting the Sea Stallion from Dublin Port on the first part of her long journey home, the Naval Service being the State’s principal seagoing agency and upholder of Ireland’s proud maritime tradition.