My Planner
Currently nothing planned yet in your itinerary. Have a browse through the site and begin to add things you're interested in.
Please note, all events subject to change.
For more infomation and to book, scroll below for the event(s) you are interested in.
Plan your trip
-
Stay
-
What's On
-
Things to Do
-
Food & Drink
-
Shopping
Accommodation Search
Things to Do Search
What's On Search
Food & Drink Search
Shopping Search
Book now...
Viking reenactors will be in Portaferry and will tell the shared Viking story of the two villages to visitors. A full-size replica longship will be on display.
Primary school children from the wider Strangford and Portaferry areas are being visited by some of our fierce Vikings and will make an artwork to go on display.- Primary school children from the wider Strangford and Portaferry areas are being visited by some of our fierce Vikings and will make an artwork to go on display. The winner from each school will receive a family ticket to the amazing Ballydugan Medieval Village near Downpatrick.
- Each person will leave with either a solid silver pendant or ring they have made.
- Make your own leaf pendant, Viking brooch or a cuff.
- Make your own leaf pendant, Viking brooch or a cuff.
- Make your own leaf pendant, Viking brooch or a cuff.
- A Master Herbalist will talk about the healing power of herbs since Viking times and how to apply the knowledge today.
- An archaeologist, specialising in ceramics from the neolithic to the Viking era, will talk about construction and design. This is a two part event, the first of which takes place on 25 March in Strangford. In Part 2, Jacqui will expand on the contribution Vikings made to ceramics in Ireland. She will show replica items made in her own kiln.
- Two of Europe's leading exponents of Celtic knotwork meet to discuss their work. A rare opportunity to meet this quality of practitioner face to face. This is a two part event, part 1 takes place in Strangford on 25 March. Sean Parry and Sean Fitzgerald will debate if there was a natural artistic progression during the Viking era, or whether the Vikings copied Celtic art forms.
- Come along and make your own demijohn of Viking mead, under the instruction of local foraging and hedgerow cuisine tutor Alison McGrenaghan and Norway's own Oddgeir Lutzen.
- Come along and make your own demijohn of Viking mead, under the instruction of local foraging and hedgerow cuisine tutor Alison McGrenaghan and Norway's own Oddgeir Lutzen.
- World-famous Celtic and Nordic artist, musician and tattooist Sean Parry, will talk about his work.
- World-famous Celtic and Nordic artist, musician and tattooist Sean Parry, will talk about his work.
- Walking Tour Strangford led by Brigid Watson of Sustainable Journeys Ireland, with a Viking and natural history emphasis.
- A walking tour of Portaferry led by the knowledgeable Brigid Watson of Sustainable Journeys Ireland, with a Viking and natural history emphasis.
An evening with a difference! There is nothing more magical than being on your Paddleboard and watching the sun setting into a beautiful purple sky as the glow reflects off the water!- Following the torchlit parade and declaration of war by the followers of King Magnus Barelegs at the steps of Portico, the Viking celebration will begin!
- Narrator - Finbar McCormick has a lifetime of knowledge about local history.
More about the Festival and the area...
- A round up of all the Strangford Lough Viking Festival events happening in Portaferry and Strangford on Thursday 24 March.
- A round up of all the Strangford Lough Viking Festival events happening in Portaferry and Strangford on Friday 25 March.
- A round up of all the Strangford Lough Viking Festival events happening in Portaferry and Strangford on Sunday 27 March.
- The Strangford Lough Ferry links the beautiful Ards Peninsula to the scenic Lecale Peninsula and the villages of Strangford and Portaferry, crossing a stretch of water known as the "Narrows", where 350 million cubic metres of sea water surge in and out of Strangford Lough with each tide.
- Strangford Lough was originally called Loch Cuan which means the quiet lough. When the Vikings came they renamed it Strang Fjord (Strangford) which means the ‘fjord of the strong currents’. The Narrows is renowned for its’ fierce currents. Read more about the history of the Vikings in the region.
- With over 100 miles of coastline, many Areas of Special Scientific Interest and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty we want to protect this special place and the impact we have on our natural surroundings.
Back to Top
Ratings Powered By
© 2025 Ards and North Down Borough Council. All Rights Reserved
