Aonach na nDéise goes international in Waterford
Attending were Jackie Hennessy, Willow, Rob, Orin and Cora Thiessen. Photo: John Powet
A number of events took place this year in County Waterford to mark national Heritage Week.
They offered up a wide range of activities for locals and visitors to the county.
However, the week of events kicked off in spectacular fashion with the annual Aonach na nDéise Viking Festival.
A spokesperson for Waterford City & County Council described the event, which took place adjacent to the Waterford Greenway on Sunday, August 17, as "a thrilling start to Heritage Week".
This was the eight year of the festival, which grows ever-more successful each year.
This time around around 2,000 visitors attended the event which played host to over 120 re-enactors from Déise Medieval - including six visiting re-enactors from Iceland, who made the event a truly international specactle.
The increasingly popular festival is supported by Waterford City and County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, National Museum of Ireland, TVAS Archaeology, The Discovery Programme, Abarta Heritage and SETU.
A great addition this year was Fuinseog Woodland Crafts who brought entertainment and a new world of wooden games to everyone aged 3 to 73.
There were also features such as Irish Wolfhounds, Viking Boat and a wide range of wonderful craft displays in the Viking Village.
Members of the Outreach Education Team from the National Museum of Ireland, TVAS Archaeologists and the Discovery Programme were also on hand with fun challenges and fascinating displays.
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan was in attendance and praised the level of activity, energy and entertainment provided at the event.
Also on site to view the activities and the value of the Community Monuments Fund for supporting such events, were Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD.
They met with the participating groups and commended the strong collaboration behind the project, acknowledging the significance of the Woodstown Viking Site, which is unparalleled in Ireland. The local authority spokesperson also confirmed the good news that Aonach na nDéise will be back next year with more battle tactics and Viking craftwork.
