Blood and Terror on The Barrow

Did You Know ?

The Viking Raids on St Mullins

When the river Barrow falls as the tide goes out, rocks appear at the bend just below the Mill, known locally as the “Scar” a Viking name for weir.

“Around the swelling waters a graceful swallow glides

As the ever patient Heron awaits the falling tides.

Shadows of raiding Viking ships about the scar appear

The clash of swords, the shouts men, the ancient smell of fear.”

The Vikings used the rivers to raid inland Ireland and were very fond of monasteries as that was where the wealth of the country lay. Rape, pillage and Plunder was their game and they struck fear into the natives as no mercy was shown.

In 824 a large fleet of Vikings sailed up the Barrow from Waterford to St Mullins and plundered the monastery of St Moling (Four Masters).

In 888 Riagan,son of Dunghal  defeated the Vikings at St Mullins after which 200 hundred heads were left behind.

In 915 The Chiefs of Liphe of “Broad Deeds” waged a battle with the Vikings leaving 500 heads in the valley over Tigh –Moling St Mullins. The Irish were no Angles and great men for counting the heads of their enemies.

[Annals of the Four Masters, Vol 2. pp 590-1]

AD 951 Teach Moling was plundered by Laraic from Waterford the same fellow that Waterford is named after Port –Lairge .