Long-Sought Viking Settlement Found

[Rowan]

The Vikings, the famed Scandinavian warriors, started raiding Ireland in 795 and plundered it for decades, before establishing two Irish outposts, according to the Annals of Ulster, a 15th century account of medieval Ireland. One outpost, Dúbh Linn, became Dublin, the other, Linn Duchaill, was lost in time. Perhaps until now. A team of archaeologists announced on Friday that it has found the lost Viking settlement near the village of Annagassan, 70 kilometers north of Dublin. "We are unbelievably delighted," said archaeologist and team leader, Mark Clinton, an independent archaeological consultant.

Seems strange that a science journal has this story, but I guess anyone can be interested.

[Ash]

I always thought Archaeology was a science of sorts.

[fljustice]

[quote=""Ash""]I always thought Archaeology was a science of sorts.[/quote]

Archaeology is an applied science and archaeologists (like engineers) use a wide range of sciences in their work: chemistry, physics, biology, and much more. Anyone who's worked on a dig can tell you that archaeologists follow strict scientific methods and procedures. I posted a "History in the News" round-up on my blog a few weeks ago which featured stories with heavy science components. I love the intersection of history and science that is archaeology!

[annis]

I wonder if this was one of the settlements founded by the Norse chieftain, Turgeis.

"Irish tradition holds that c.832, a Viking leader named Tuirgeis (also Turgeis, Thorgills, Thorgest or Turgesius), taking advantage of a civil war in Munster, invaded Ireland with a great fleet of 120 ships and some ten thousand men. He is said to have divided his force and landed half on the Liffey and himself sailed up the Boyne with the other half. To the amazement of the Irish he sailed his ships all the way to Lough Ree of the inland lakes, after which he built a series of forts across the island from Carlingford Bay to Connacht. Tuirgeis sacked many of the rich monasteries of the neighborhood and, after looting Armagh, sarcastically set himself up as the monastery’s abbot. His men plundered Clonmacnois more than once and his wife, Ota, presided at the altar there as a heathen priestess and oracle.

Tuirgeis is said to have established the first permanent Norse settlements in Ireland and his intent was to found his own kingdom in the northern portion of the country. His era marked the end of Viking raids in Ireland and began the establishment of a lasting presence, together with a melding of Norse and Gael".

Legend has it that Turgeis' weakness for beautiful Irish girls was used to lure him to his death by drowning at the hands of Irish king Malachy

There are conflicting legends relating to which lake Turgeis the Norwegian warrier who persecuted Christians was drowned in at the hands of King Malachy.

"The Annals of the Four Masters states that after he had plundered Connaught and Meath and burned Clonmacnoise that he was taken prisoner by Maelseachlainn, son of Maelruainaidh and afterwards drowned in Loch-Uair.
Local oral tradition states that Turgesius was rolled down The Captains Hill in a barrel into the waters of Lough Owel.
MacGeoghegan on the other hand gives an account of his death in Lough Ennell."

[LoveHistory]

Lots of old stuff being found lately! Very cool to find this settlement. Wish the article had more pictures.

As to Turgesius, sounds like everybody wanted to claim his demise in their own lough.

[parthianbow]

I CANNOT believe this! Annagassan is about 2 and 1/2 miles from where I grew up! They've had a Viking festival there for the last couple of years. So fantastic that they've actually found the settlement! Thanks Rowan.

[Rowan]

You're quite welcome parthian.

[annis]

Posted by LoveHistory

As to Turgesius, sounds like everybody wanted to claim his demise in their own lough.

Seems like everyone wanted to take the credit for getting rid of the pest