Waterford's Viking Festival is officially launched  in Reginald's Tower

On Thursday, July 11, Déise Medieval, Waterford based Living History and Medieval Combat Enthusiasts gathered with invited guests in Reginald’s Tower in Waterford City to launch their Viking festival on Waterford’s Greenway, ‘Aonach na nDéise’.

On Saturday, August 17, from 1pm to 5pm and Sunday, August 18, from 10am to 5pm, on the Greenway at Carriganore (via the SETU carpark entrance), Déise Medieval in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Waterford City & County Council Heritage Office will be delighted to host Aonach na nDéise, a free family friendly festival with Viking reenactors as they recreate the daily life of our Hiberno-Norse ancestors in Vadrefiord.

During the day the living history and craft village will feature traditional Viking activities, such as spinning and weaving, cooking and food, the spice trader, kids games and pastimes, daily life, witchcraft, medicine and a full weapon display, with the chance to try on a helmet and hold a sword or axe.

Battles will also take place during the day and there will be 'Kiddie Vike' where the under 10's can take part in their own battle against Déise Medieval’s warriors!

There will also be archaeologists on site from TVAS Ireland, Raven Haven Aviaries, and Paul Kavanagh from Lakes Vikings will be there with a replica Viking Ship to talk about how important boats were in Viking life.

Again, representatives from the National Museum of Ireland will be attending with the museum's replica Viking artefact handling collection.

This will be the sixth year of this popular event and Déise Medieval representatives say they are excited to be able to welcome many fellow reenactors to Carriganore, who will be coming from all around Ireland and from beyond our waters.

Déise Medieval would like to thank their sponsors without whom this event would not be possible: TII, Waterford City and County Council, The Heritage Office, National Museum of Ireland, Clem Jacob Hire, Prestige Painters and many other individuals.

The team also expressed a very special thank you to their guest speakers on the day of the launch, including James Eoghan, Senior Archaeologist with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh, TD.

With just under a month to go to Aonach, preparations are now well under way. Updates and further all the information over the coming weeks will be available on Déise Medieval's Facebook and Instagram.

Aonach na nDéise is organised and ran by Déise Medieval, who are based in and around Waterford and are a voluntary group dedicated to authentically recreating the daily lives of the Hiberno Norse and how our Viking ancestors lived 1,000 years ago.