Norwegian links are centre of meeting

THE region’s Norwegian links were very much to the fore again last week when Norwegian Ambassador to Ireland, Else Berit Eikeland, and members of her team, visited the Boyneside to learn more about the association between both areas.

The Ambassador and her staff travelled to Drogheda to meet with Community Historian Brendan Matthews regarding Scandinavian/Viking Links to the Drogheda area, the River Boyne and of course Linn Duachaill at Annagassan where the Norsemen founded a settlement in the 9th century.

The Norwegian party also visited St Laurence Gate, St Peter’s Church of Ireland Churchyard and St Peter’s and the Shrine of St Oliver Plunkett. They were met in the Tholsel by the Mayor Pio Smith and Liam Reilly, director of Drogheda on the Boyne Tourism.

The Mayor welcomed them to Drogheda and recalled the many visits to Drogheda by Norwegian mariners with the Lys Shipping Line. The Ambassador spoke of the similarities between Ireland and Norway both having long coasts and how it was an Irish saint St Sunniva, who brought Christianity to Norway and remarked that former Drogheda resident Johnny Logan is still hugely popular in Norway.. Mr Reilly outlined the area’s great Christian Heritage and the varied attractions available to visitors. He also related that a former member of Drogheda on the Boyne Tourism, Gavin Collins is now running a tourism and accommodation business in Bergin and a number of other connections off Drogheda to Norway.

The Ambassador ended by saying that she hoped to be back in Drogheda next year for the Fleadh.