The document discusses the Viking age in Ireland from 795 to the 11th century. It describes how the Vikings initially raided Irish monasteries for their riches, taking treasures and valuable objects. The monasteries were wealthy targets as they held large land holdings, livestock, and crafts. Over time some Vikings settled in Ireland permanently. The document provides background on early Irish monasteries and why they were vulnerable to attack, and names some famous monasteries like Clonmacnoise and Glendalough that were raided. It also describes religious differences between the pagan Vikings and Christian Irish, and profiles two major Viking gods, Thor and Freya.

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The Viking age in Ireland: 795 – 11th
century
From raiding to settlement

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The first Viking attack – monastery on Rathlin Island, 795
Ireland 'became filled with immense
floods, and countless sea-vomiting of
ships, and boats, and fleets'.
Click here for simple timeline
University brooch

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At first the Vikings raided Irish
monasteries and returned to
Scandinavia with their treasure.
The Vikings attacked the
monasteries because they were rich
in land, stock and provisions.
They also took valuable objects but
this was not their primary concern.
The Vikings inspired fear.
One monk wrote:
Since tonight the wind is high,
The sea’s white mane a fury,
I need not fear the hordes of Hell
Coursing the Irish Channel.
Viking Raids

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Link
Ireland – an easy target ? Rich monasteries
When they were first set up around
500 AD, Irish monasteries were not
worth attacking.
Later many grew in size, forming
small monastic towns, with
agricultural dependants, craftsmen,
and traders, forming.
They also became very rich and
produced beautiful and valuable
metalwork.

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Artist’s impression of an
early Irish monastery
Artist’s impression of an
Irish monastery in Viking times

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Leading Irish monasteries aerial views
Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly
Glendalough, Co. Wicklow

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Artist’s impression of Glendalough

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Were you listening…..
• What were early monasteries like?
• Name some monasteries.
• Why did the Vikings attack monasteries?

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The round tower
Round towers in monasteries were first
and foremost bell houses.
They were five stories high.
Each storey had a wooden floor,
reached by a ladder
The top storey had four to six windows,
from which a small hand-bell would have
been rung.
Round towers were also used for defence
against attack – a refuge for people and
possessions.
Their chimney-like form meant they were
not ideal for such defence – fire could easily
spread.
In 1097, for example, the tower of
Monasterboice was burned ‘with its books
and many treasures’.
Templeoran monastic site, Co.
Westmeath

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Treasures
Moylough Belt Shrine
Ardagh chalice O’Donnell Battle Book

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Book of Kells

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Were you listening…
• Tell me about round towers.
• Name some famous treasures.

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Pagans versus Christians
The Vikings were pagans.
The Irish were Christians.
Christians worshipped one God.
The Vikings believed in several
gods.
The most powerful was Odin.
Others included Thor, the God of
Thunder, and Freya, goddess of
love.
Christians had a symbolic
sacrifice in the mass.
Vikings made sacrifices of
animals and people. They
believed that this kept their gods
happy.
Thor
Odin
Freya

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Viking gods - Thor
In Norse mythology, Thor was the god of thunder.
He produces thunder with his hammer, called Mjolnir, which means ‘The Destroyer’.
This hammer was made by dwarfs, and would magically return to Thor's hand whenever he needed it.
Thor is depicted as a tall, muscular man with red hair and a beard.
His magic belt could double his incredible strength, while his iron gloves protected his hands.
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Viking gods - Freya
In Norse mythology, Freya is a goddess of love and the most beautiful and propitious of the goddesses.
She is the patron goddess of.
She loves music, spring and flowers, and is particularly fond of the elves (fairies).
Freya lives in the beautiful palace Folkvang (‘field of folk’), a place where love songs are always played.
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Were you listening…
• What religion were the Vikings?
• Name some of the gods the Vikings
believed in.
• Tell me about Thor.
• Tell me about Freya.