A day in the life of Viking Ireland

A new book offer unrivalled insight into life in the 9th century. Clodagh Finn turns the clock back.

TAKE away the fearsome weapons (and perhaps the showy mantle) and the Viking warrior found at one of Ireland’s most important archaeological sites at Woodstown, Co Waterford, would look like any hipster strolling down a modern street today.

James Eogan, senior archaeologist at the National Roads Authority, makes the comparison to show that our comic-book perception of Vikings – as savage, hairy and uncouth invaders – is wide of the mark.