Boyne Valley Viking Experience Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2026

Journey into the past - Viking Festival at Slane Castle

Take a journey into the past as Ireland’s largest historic festival Boyne Valley Viking Experience returns to Slane Castle for the fifth time on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2026. This immersive family-friendly event promises a mix of free drop‑in events and low‑cost bookable sessions designed to spark curiosity in aspiring Vikings of all ages. Almost 500 re-enactors from Ireland, the UK, Scandinavia, Poland and further afield make this a stunning spectacle and dressing in costume is encouraged. New this year is a Viking fashion show and bookable blacksmithing sessions.

Walking along the path into the historic village, the view is a breath-taking sight with 200 historic tents, smoke rising from cooking fires and the sound of clashing swords on shields ringing from the battlefield, accompanied by drums and medieval music.

Nearly 200 armoured warriors take to the battlefield to measure their strength and combat skills in re-enactment battles. These skilled warriors train on a regular basis and are among the best in Europe. See the mightiest crowned as Champion.

Hundreds more re-enactors dressed in authentic outfits camp in the grounds below the Castle. It’s a living Viking village with the sights, sounds and smells of the medieval world - a feast for all the senses showing life as it was 1,000 years ago. Skilled demonstrators from the period include blacksmiths and wood workers, leatherworkers and bone carvers, nalbinders* and tablet weavers**. The craft village has dozens of stalls packed with Viking crafts and souvenirs to take home. Musicians play ancient instruments adding to the atmosphere while Skalds tell mesmerising Viking sagas and stories.

Visitors can try their hand at archery, meet wolfhounds and have a photo taken with them, and get up close and personal with birds of prey including owls and the iconic Viking raven. For a  more permanent memory, a Viking tattoo is a great option. The children’s Viking treasure hunt and Fuinseog Woodland Crafts historic games area are a big hit with smaller visitors ensuring they have a great time.

Each day at lunchtime two magnificent full size Viking longboats sail up the River Boyne and land their warriors. Watch in awe at this majestic display and talk to the Viking boat crew about their adventures in the Viking TV series and Vikings Valhalla.

On each day gifted Icelandic fashion designer Sigrun Bjoerk Olafsdottir hosts a spectacular mythological fashion show Yggdrasil where models, Vikings and even some members of the public take to the catwalk. Sigrún’s unique work has featured in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar – she uses all manner of unusual materials including feathers, fish leathers, insects, horse hair, wool and sea shells. She has designed the spectacular costumes for the Norse gods who will arrive by longboat on the River Boyne on Sunday.

If the ring of a hammer on white hot metal, flying sparks and naked flames float your boat, don’t miss the opportunity to book a Blacksmithing session with Sylvankin. It’s a chance to smith your very own hand forged item (hairpin, S-hook, scrollwork pendant or scrollwork bracelet) during the hour-long guided sessions. (€40 per session, prebooking is essential).

Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome and there’s an invitation to join in a photo competition to choose the Most Handsome Viking Dog from the festival.

This is the supreme showcase for all things Viking and an entertaining and educational day out for everyone. The  festival is organised by local reenactors from Lakes Vikings and Boyne Valley Events, supported by hundreds of historic reenactors from all over Ireland and 12 EU countries, who are passionate about what they do and want all visitors to have a wonderful time. Spend a day exploring the Viking world in a captivating atmosphere – a real time travelling holiday.

Booking
www.boynevalleyevents.com/events/2026-at-boyne-valley-viking-experience  
Saturday 16th May 10.30am-5pm
Sunday 17th May 10.30am-4.30pm
Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children and car parking) €80
Adult €40
Child (4-16) €15.
Toddlers and infants free.