Viking enthusiasts gathered in County Down this weekend for a festival showcasing daily life a millennium ago. The Magnus Viking Association hosted its fourth annual summer event at the Ballydugan Medieval Settlement near Downpatrick, offering hands-on activities including axe throwing, jewellery making, and battle re-enactments.

The association was formed in 2003 by Phillip Campbell to commemorate Magnus Bareleg, a Norse king buried in Downpatrick after his death in 1103. Campbell stated that the group’s mission is to create awareness of a different time, highlighting the importance of family, storytelling, and education.

During the festival, a blacksmith demonstrated how weapons were forged, and an armoury displayed replica swords, chainmail, and axes. Children and adults joined mock battles, while workshops showed participants how to craft medieval adornments. A local figure known as Dave the Raven, who appeared in the television series Vikings, made a special appearance.

Member Lise Saxon, who joined after a car accident three years ago, said the group helped her regain independence. She noted that Vikings recycled extensively, with women fashioning tools and jewellery from bone. Archaeologist Naomi Richardson, a member since 2020, described the group as united by a shared passion for history.

The association has around 50 adult members and has paused recruitment due to high interest. It runs two to three public festivals each year alongside educational visits for primary schools. The group plans to sail replica longboats on Strangford Lough later this summer.

Magnus Bareleg, also known as Magnus Olafsson III, ruled Norway from 1093 and led military campaigns in Ireland and Britain. His death at the Battle of Strangford Lough marked him as one of the last Norse kings to fall outside Scandinavia.