Linn Duachaill facts for kids

Linn Duachaill (pronounced "linn DOO-a-khill") was a Viking settlement in Ireland. It was a type of fort called a longphort, which means "ship fort." This settlement was built in 841 CE. It was located near the village of Annagassan in County Louth. Another famous Viking settlement, Dubh Linn (now Dublin), was built at the same time. Unlike Dublin, Linn Duachaill was eventually left empty. Some people think this happened because the tides changed. This might have made it hard for Viking ships to reach the sea from the fort.

History of Linn Duachaill

The first time Linn Duachaill is mentioned is in old Irish records from the 840s. These records say that a Viking leader named Tergeis (also called Turgesius) set up forts at both Dubh Linn and Linn Duachaill. From these forts, the Vikings would raid the nearby lands and churches.

Turgesius was a very powerful figure. He took control of northern Ireland. He even placed his wife on the main altar of the church at Clonmacnoise monastery. However, his rule did not last long. In 843, an Irish king named Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid captured Turgesius. Turgesius was then drowned in a lake called Loch Nar.

Finding the Ancient Site

The old site of Linn Duachaill was found in 2010. It is located on a flat area near the River Glyde. A team of archeologists and a geophysicist had been searching for it since 2005. They found a pattern of straight ditches. This was unusual because local Irish forts were usually round.

A local filmmaker named Ruth Cassidy helped start the search. She was a member of the local history group. The discovery was announced in September 2010. Because the site is on farmland, it has been very well preserved over time.

Archeologists dug three test trenches at the site. The team was led by Mark Clinton. They uncovered a "defensive rampart," which was a deep ditch and a bank. This wall would have protected the fort on one side. The other sides were naturally protected by the River Glyde and the Irish Sea.

Many interesting objects were found there. These included rivets from Viking ships. They also found pieces of cut-up Viking silver. Other finds included Irish metalwork that had been taken by the Vikings. A piece of a human skull was also found. Other items included a whorl for spinning thread and a brooch pin.

A nearby hillfort called Lisnaran Fort was once thought to be connected to Linn Duachaill. However, some now believe Lisnaran is an older Irish fort, not a Viking one.