Celebrate Ireland's Viking past this Easter

FROM the ancient Viking traces of Waterford city in Ireland’s Ancient East, to the foundations of medieval Dublin, #Ireland invites the world to celebrate its Viking past this Easter, with two wonderful events: the Viking Festival 2018, Waterford (31 March-April 2nd) and Dublin city’s Dublinia VikingFest 2018 (30 March-April 2nd).

Not sure how the #Vikings came to be part of this island’s legacy? Well, far from being just rampaging warriors, the Vikings also brought civilisation, founding many of Ireland’s towns and cities as time went on. It all started for Ireland in the late 8th Century, when the Vikings realised there were lands not far away that were richer in land, stock and provisions than their own. And so their journey overseas – and to Ireland – began.

These mighty Nordic warriors battled chieftains, forged alliances and settled into the history of Ireland’s rich heritage. And despite their terrifying arrival in Ireland, the Norsemen were settlers by inclination. The result, Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Youghal, Arklow, Wicklow and Dublin all have Viking origins. Even place names give notice to their Nordic roots (Waterford ends with a variant of fjord).

The key event will be in both cities. Follow the Vikings, a live outdoor spectacle involving film, dance, live animation and battle reenactment takes place at both events. Save the dates for live action on Saturday 31 March at the historic Wood Quay amphitheatre in Dublin, and in Waterford’s Apple Market on Easter Monday 2 April.



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Kent tops trending UK & Ireland destinations list

TRAVEL search site momondo.com has done an analysis of its search data in order to make its UK domestic travel predictions for 2016. The data showed that domestic destinations accounted for 10% of all searches made on the site in 2015.

Kent topped the list of the seven trending destinations they expect to see growing in popularity this year. Waterford in Ireland and Dundee in Scotland came second and third respectively. Searches for Cambridge were up by 288%, Bournemouth by 200%, Guernsey by 149%, and Kerry by 89%.  

Lasse Skole Hansen at momondo.co.uk, said: ‘Our findings suggest that cultural breaks may be on the up for Brits. This is due to a rise in interest for specific domestic destinations known for historical tourism.

‘For example, in Kent, Canterbury was once itself a pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages. Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city, and Dundee in Scotland is home to the 15th century Broughty Castle. Cambridge is home to arguably the world’s best university.

‘It seems many Brits do still like a view, though, as scenic destinations County Kerry and Guernsey, which both boast striking coastal terrain, are both also trending destinations.’

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Picture Credit: www.flickr.com/photos/65272231@N00/10625980414">Cathedral in Canterbury</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin