Viking Period

Viking

1. The Vikings in Ireland (Our Page on the Viking Network).

   The Vikings, also called Norsemen, came from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. As time went by life became harder for the Vikings.The population increased. The Vikings invaded other countries where they discovered great riches and brought them back to their own countries. The Vikings came to Ireland in 795 AD where they raided a monastery on Lambay Island near Dublin . The vikings killed the monks and stole their valuables . No monastery was safe from the Vikings. The monks built high stone round towers. These towers were from 20 metres to 30 metres high with an entrance 4 metres from the ground, At the top of the tower the monks could see out through windows facing in all directions.When they saw the Vikings they rang a warning bell. A ladder was let down to bring the monks into the round tower.When the Vikings went away the monks descended. This is a drawing of round tower. The bell has been rung and the monks and the people have fled to the round tower, bringing their valuable items with them. They have already hauled up the ladder,as the vikings draw near. Hopefully they and their valuables are safe. Later the Vikings settled in Ireland.They built forts with strong walls at the mouths of rivers.The most important forts were located at the mouths of the rivers Liffey, Slaney, Suir, Lee and Shannon. These developed into the towns of Dublin, Wexford,Waterford, Cork, and Limerick . The Vikings were the first people to use money and to have accurate weighing scales. The Vikings also attempted the military conquest of Ireland. On Good Friday in 1014 the battle of Clontarf decided the final outcome of this effort. The Vikings were opposed by Brian Boru the king of Munster who had ruled Ireland for twelve years. But Brian Boru had many enemies.The king of Leinster and Vikings of Dublin,were jealous of his power and they didn't want him as king. Brian wanted to punish them so he set off with his army for Dublin.The Vikings asked their friends in other countries to help, Dublin Bay was full of their ships. The two armies faced each other at Clontarf.Some Vikings fought with Brian,and some Irish helped the Vikings.The battle lasted a full day. In the evening the Vikings began to weaken.They turned and fled to their ships and many were drowned trying to reach their ships.Many were killed before they reached the sea. As Brodir, one of the Viking chieftains,ran from the battlefield,he saw King Brian praying in his tent.He rushed in and killed him.Just before he died brian turned,drew his sword,and chopped of his foe's legs. Brian's son,his grandson and many other were leaders were killed.After 1014 the Vikings in Ireland continued to work and trade as before.

To the left is one of a collection of historical figures, manufactured by Prince august (the toy soldier factory). To the right is a picture of a viking helmet. The vikings put horns on their helmets to make them look more aggressive.

More about Brian Boru and the battle of clontarf

2. Vikings in Cork

   In AD 820 the monastery of saint Fin Barre was attacked by sea-borne raiders . In AD 914 a great fleet from Scandivian devasted Munster and the monastery in Cork was one of the monasteries raided by the vikings . However some of the original newcomers were merchants were allowed to remain undisturbed in the port of Cork . They took over some of the neighbouring territory in Cork. The people of Cork traded with them purchasing wine , salt and and other goods from them . The Vikings most likely settled in a small cove in Cove street . Excavations revealed the existence of a tidal mill-pond stretching over the area now known as Meade's street , Cove street , Mary's street and Sullivans Quay . An archeologial dig found a heavy stone wall which surrounded the mill-pond in the latter middle ages . In 1130AD a Viking thief who stole the jewels of Clonmacnoise but could get none of the ship's from Cork to take him abroad . He was hanged by Cormac Mac Carthy whoes castle was based at the north side of the river Lee . The Lee divides in two at the western edge of Cork city. The river Lee flows eastwards into Cork city . On the western approaches it divides into two channels ; the north channel and the south channel these channels converge at the eastern edge of the city . The original viking base was at Cove street an inlet of the south channel . The area between the two arms was the marshy district from which Cork got its name [ Corcach means march ] . Here on the edge of the march is where the Vikings settled . St Finbarrs monastery occupied a ridge over looking the march from the south side . St Finbarr had moved from his original base in Gougane Barra , an remote and peaceful hermitage in an isolated valley , the source of the river Lee 64 km due west of Cork . Cork city evolved from his settlement .

3. The Vikings in our district,

   Kilnamartyra lies 48 km due west of Cork city . A small monastic settlement founded by St Lachteen survived his death in 622 AD and in fact lasted until its destruction by Cronwellian forces in 1650 . It suffered a viking raid in 832 AD which left it in a sorry state but it was subsequently restored and continued as a place of pilgrimage. The church was known as Cill na Martra [called the "Church of the Human Relic" as Lachteens hand was preserved in a shrine as an object of veneration. This name is now applied to our district