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IT’S A MODEST-LOOKING field lying alongside the River Suir, but this site in Co Waterford has been hailed by scholars as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries ever made in Ireland.
This site at Woodstown – uncovered in 2003 by archaeologists along the proposed route of the Waterford City bypass – holds the remains of a 9th century Viking settlement.
A new publication and accompanying audiobook that detail the remarkable discovery will be launched tonight (Tuesday, 4 November) in the Waterford Treasures Medieval Museum in Cathedral Square in Waterford city.
Archaeologist Neil Jackman, author of TheJournal.ie’s Heritage Ireland series, explains the findings at the site:
A large number of archaeological features like the remains of houses, and areas of metalworking were discovered all surrounded by a large ditched enclosure. The remains at Woodstown date to the ninth century, early in the story of the Vikings interaction with Ireland.The date traditionally viewed as the beginning of the Viking Age in Ireland is 795 AD, when the Annals of Ulster record an attack by the gentti or ‘pagans’ on Rathlin Island off the north coast of County Antrim, this heralded a series of raids at monastic sites and settlements around the Irish and British coasts.The reason for this sudden aggressive expansion and raiding is not completely clear, however it is possible that it is the result of a combination of factors like advances in ship design, navigation, a desire for wealth and status and perhaps through pressure brought about by an expanding population in their homelands.The excavations at Woodstown give us important insights into the establishment of permanent Viking settlement in Ireland and how the Vikings moved from raiding to trading, and reveal a wealth of information about Viking craft, metalworking, and boat building. Pieces of silver and a large number of lead weights are direct evidence of the presence of Viking traders at the site.
The finds from Woodstown reflect the range of the Viking trading networks in the ninth century and include pieces of Irish-made jewellery, amber from the Baltic, and even silver coins minted in Iraq were discovered.
One of the most important discoveries at Woodstown was that of a richly furnished Viking warrior burial.
The objects found in the grave included symbols of his status as a leader in the community; his sword, spear, axe and shield, as well as smaller personal belongings. These objects are on permanent display in Waterford Treasures at Reginald’s Tower.
The publication of the guides to Woodstown coincides with a year of celebration of Waterford’s Viking heritage (it is marking the 1100th anniversary of the 914 AD founding of Waterford city).
The excavations at Woodstown show that even before 914, Vikings were making their presence felt on the banks of the River Suir.
The new publication by Four Courts Press – Woodstown: A Viking Age Settlement in County Waterford – is edited by Ian Russell and Maurice F Hurley. It contains indepth analysis of the site and its artefacts by a variety of international experts who look at what the remains can reveal about the Vikings in Ireland.
The publication has a companion free-to-download audioguide that gives an accessible account of the excavations, using music and sound effects to give listeners a sense of everyday life in the Woodstown Settlement.
All are welcome to the launch this evening. The book can be bought here and the free audiobook downloaded here.
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Met Nicki in St Camillons nursing home
In Killucan, Co.Westmeath 3 years ago
she was visiting an uncle, she came over to my dad had a word, gave him a hug, i thought it was lovely as she did not know us, proves her heart was in the right place, and now all three have passed on, rip guys x
Nicky was an inspiration for us all! RIP
My Dad’s Dad died from motor neurone and so did my Mums Mum a horrid disease to get Rest in peace Grandma and Grandad. Rest in peace to your beautiful sister so sorry she had this xx
If there is any good news here is that Nicky McFaddens illness was not drawn out for years.
Very sad but the comment about cancer is very insensitive. Cancer can be horrific as well as motor neurone. Wouldn’t wish for either
The only i came in here was gor that statement. Cancer is a horrible leech of a thing to go through .
Cancer is certainly a leech and not something any sane person would wish for; however there is hope if you have cancer as treatment and operations may stop or halt the disease, but there is NO cure or long term hope for people with MND.
I am sorry for your loss. But Fine Gael are finished. This country needs a government who will stand on its own two feet and not take orders from bankers and the like. New fresh blood is what’s needed a party that is not tainted by greed and the clic. Again I am sorry for your loss. You would do better as an independent
David what a hideous person you are! Imagine employing someone with your mentality! It does not matter who you vote for this story is about human suffering and tragedy!
There is never a scenario where people would be “grateful to have cancer”. Walk into a hospice and say ” ye should be grateful, at least ye don’t have MND”???? It’s an awful and horrible statement to make.
Eimsley, in the nicest way possible I’m sorry to say you are wrong. I attend the hospice weekly & I assure you the cancer patients look at me with pity, in my wheelchair barely able to move a muscle. I was 38 when diagnosed with mnd & I’m “lucky” to be alive still, 2 1/2 yrs later. When I was first diagnosed I wished I had been given a cancer diagnoses. I know that sounds unbelievable but, cancer treatments & medicines have advanced so much now there is “hope” for patients. MND on the other hand = no hope, they are not even near finding a cure!
Sharon, sorry to hear this. I have a close family member with untreatable cancer so I’m really offended by the quote in this article. I’m not dismissing the gravity of MND in any way. I just believe that these things should never be compared in terms of suffering e.g. Diminish one groups suffering over another’s. Having been witness to oneupmanship over illness symptoms/outcomes (not by patients but their families) I’m horrified to witness it in the press. I detest the culture of ‘mine’s worse than yours’ that seems to exist for some (not all) people’s lives. Each persons suffering is their own and not for comment by others. There is after all a lot of focus on upholding the dignity of terminally ill patients. All the best and take care.
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