The Viking Trail of Dublin City Centre - The Virtual
The Viking Age, spanning from the late 8th century to the early 11th century, saw Viking seafarers venture far and wide, seeking new trade routes, resources, and lands to settle. Dublin, known as “Dubh Linn” in Old Irish, meaning "black pool", became a significant center for Viking activity.
Located on Ireland’s east coast, Dublin offered strategic advantages with its natural harbor and proximity to other trading routes. Its position allowed Vikings to establish trade connections with other European regions, including Britain and Scandinavia.
Dublin swiftly developed into a bustling trading hub, attracting merchants from near and far. The Vikings brought a wealth of goods to trade, including exotic items such as silks and spices from the East, amber, furs, and weapons.
Not only did the Vikings bring goods, but they also introduced a unique form of currency to Dublin – silver coins. These coins, known as pennies and half-pennies, facilitated commerce and stimulated economic growth in the region.
The Vikings made a lasting impact on the city of Dublin, leaving behind several visible signs of their presence. Some of the notable Viking-inspired features include street names like “Fishamble Street” and “Oxmantown Road".
Furthermore, Dublin’s architecture exhibits a blend of Norse and Celtic styles. The remains of the Dublin Castle, for example, showcase Viking influences in its defense structures and layout.
The Viking settlers established a dynastic ruling class, led by powerful leaders known as “Kings of Dublin.” These kings held significant influence throughout the Dublin region and played a crucial role in the politics of the time.
One of the most renowned Viking rulers of Dublin was Sitric Silkenbeard, who successfully allied with Irish kings and played a part in various historical events, including the famous Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
The Vikings in Dublin not only left behind a rich material legacy but also contributed to the cultural tapestry of the city. Their influence can be seen in Irish art, language, and folklore. Additionally, the city’s close ties with other Viking settlements created a network of shared traditions and stories.
To experience Viking Dublin firsthand, you should explore some of the historical sites that have preserved this rich heritage. Here are a few suggestions:
- The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology: This museum houses fascinating Viking artifacts, including intricately crafted jewelry, weaponry, and everyday objects.
- Dublinia: An interactive museum that transports visitors back in time to Viking Dublin. Here, you can
experience the sights and sounds of the era through exhibitions and reconstructions.
- Wood Quay: The excavation site at Wood Quay offers a glimpse into Viking Dublin’s past. The preserved ruins tell the story of the city’s layout and architectural features.
Viking Dublin holds a significant place in Ireland’s history, acting as a gateway to trade, culture, and political influence. Its impact can still be felt today through the city’s architecture, street names, and cultural heritage. By delving into the fascinating facts about Viking Dublin, we can appreciate the lasting legacy of these Viking explorers.
This virtual:
You should be standing by the sculpture Báite (sunken or drowned) inspired by the site at Wood Quay. The remains of this Viking settlement was excavated prior to the construction of Dublin City Council head office. The long narrow site and its Viking past is what inspired the sculpture. It is a functional sculpture, in that it connects with its past history and also offers seating for the tired and weary. The seating steps out the shape of the ship and the steel ribs give it a skeletal appearance.
The sculpture was created by artist Betty Newman-Maguire as a reminder of the Viking heritage of Ireland after a long ship was found at Wood Quay during archaeological excavations for the Civic Offices.
The sculpture is roughly in three parts. The two ends of the sculpture are the "skeletal" structures of a stereotypical ends of Viking boat and between the two ends are benches roughly as they would have been in the boat. Except now the benches are occupied by city slickers instead of Viking warriors. It’s a nice and quaint little sculpture.
Your Mission
To claim a find on this cache you must do the following:
Find your way to the sculpture.
Take a a selfie or a photo of your thumbs-up showing either of the stereotypical ends of the Viking boat and upload it with your log.
The end of the boat as well as you or your thumb MUST be visible in the photo. All logs must include the photo in question.
Do NOT email the photo to me.
Any logs without an appropriate photo will be deled without warning. Group photos must be uploaded to all relevant logs. Do not log the cache if you are not able to upload the photo.
See samples of photo below:
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025 for Geocachers who, inter alia, published caches which received at least 4 Favourite points in 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.