Battles, weapons and jewellery making: Bringing the Vikings to life

Time has turned back in County Down this weekend as a Viking association are showing how "hard" and "good" life was during the medieval era.

The Magnus Viking Association Summertime Festival is taking place at Ballydugan Medieval Settlement, near Downpatrick.

It's the fourth year in a row the festival has been held.

Phillip Campbell, founder of the association, said the group was formed in 2003 in honour of Viking Magnus Bareleg, who is buried in the town.

"My love of the Viking ages originates due to the impact that they had on Ireland that can still be felt today," Campbell told BBC News NI.

He said the aim of the group is to "create awareness of a different time".

"Family was so important back then, communication and storytelling," Campbell said, adding that it is "important to get children involved and educated on history".

"We try to show through living history how hard life was but also how good life was."

The Magnus Bareleg Viking Association was established 27 years ago by founder Phillip Campbell and is one of the first medieval re-enactment groups on the island of Ireland.

The association built the Ballydugan Medieval settlement in Downpatrick during the Covid pandemic and it is used as a way for members to meet up and share their passion for medieval re-enactment.

Working alongside the Education Authority the group has incorporated the settlement into the Key Stage 2 curriculum teaching of the Vikings for P6 pupils.

The settlement is used by local schools as part of educational trips and is the permanent home of the group.

The group currently has 50 adult members with recruitment being put on hold due to the demand.

Alongside this weekend's festival, the association hosts a variety of events throughout the year.

Campbell said their aim is to host about two or three festivals a year, adding: "But we are always kept busy with the local schools, providing educational school trips and living history lessons."

The group plan to sail their longboats on Strangford Lough this summer.

Workshops and living history are being featured at the festival with an authentic medieval blacksmith forge demonstrating how weapons would have been smithed a thousand years ago.

Lise Saxon, who was participating in an arts and crafts workshop at the festival, joined the group following a car accident three years ago. She said it has helped reclaim her independence.

"I wanted to do the most extreme thing possible like recreating Viking battles," Saxon said.

"The group is such good fun and everyone is lovely," she said.

Speaking of the Vikings, Saxon said: "The Vikings didn't waste anything. They were the ultimate green society, they would've recycled everything.

"The women would've used bones to make knives, needles and jewellery."

Simon Richardson said that "everything you see" at the festival is either "a replica or an archeological find".

Chainmail, swords and axes are also on display at the group's armoury which encourages visitors to roleplay as Viking warriors.

Axe throwing is offered as an activity for visitors alongside battle re-enactments.

During these re-enactments children and adults are encouraged to get involved and try out the weapons and armour in a Viking battle scenario.

Jewellery making workshops are also available for visitors to learn how the Vikings forged medieval adornments.

A special guest at the event was Dave the Raven who is a local celebrity appearing the Apple TV series Vikings.

Chris Lennon, a Viking fighter reenactor, joined the group in 2022.

He said that he "always loved history in school and medieval history".

"So when I heard of this group I knew it would be something I'd be interested in joining," Lennon said.

Raymond Mooney visited the festival with his wife and son Alfie on Saturday.

Alfie participated in a children's battle, describing it as great fun.

Mooney said it is "interesting to see a different way of life" at the festival, adding that it is a "good event for my son to try spark an interest in history".

Archaeologist Naomi Richardson joined the association in 2020 and describes it as a group "joined together by their passion for history".

She said she enjoys "talking to people about my passion".

"At these festivals, people are always willing to come and show an interest," he said.

Magnus Bareleg was better known as Magnus Olafsson III or Magnus Barefoot. He ruled as King of Norway from 1093 until his death near Downpatrick in 1103.

During his reign Magnus carried out military campaigns and conquests with many of them occurring in Ireland and Britain.

Magnus is considered to be one of the last Norwegian king to die in battle outside of Norway, and for some should be known as the final Viking king.