Down Recorder

Three days of fun-filled action kick off in Killyleagh this weekend as the town prepares for an unprecedented Viking invasion

Long hair, burly men and bustling biceps will be the order of the day as the town stages its first ever international Viking boat race across the picturesque harbour.

Hundreds of visitors are expected to pour into Killyleagh for the festival which starts this Friday with some much-needed tuition and practice for the teams competing in the boat races.

In the evening, there will be a folk night and barbecue at Ringdufferin Golf Club at 7.30pm. A special festival flute band will also be making an appearance.

Saturday's action commences with the rowing heats in the morning to decide who goes through to Sunday's final, before attention switches to Delamont Country Park for Down Council's Magnus Barelegs festival. At the same venue later that evening, the magnificent grounds of the country park will host a Viking banquet.

The event will feature a Viking re-enactment and there will also be live music and food recommended by top television chef Rick Stein. Among the tempting delights will be succulent Venison burgers supplied by Finnebrogue Venison. Tickets for this event, priced £10, are available from Magee's Wine Lodge, Crossgar, Viva Ceramica, Dufferin Coaching Inn and Picnic, all in Killyleagh.

Sunday's festival starts with a service at Killyleagh Parish Church, before a spectacular Viking parade through the town in the afternoon, with the salute at the castle scheduled to be taken by Down Council chairman, councillor Peter Craig and Killyleagh's world champion water-skier, Rodney Watson. Children from local schools will also be taking part in the parade.

The event will feature a brass band and a host of vintage tractors, buses and cars and is scheduled to leave the former Killyleagh High School site at 1.30pm

After the parade, the final of the boat race takes place with the winners receiving a superb hand-crafted Viking ship. The course for the competitors has been specially designed to ensure that people from the harbour right round to Cuan Beach will have a perfect view of all the action. The festival ends with a grand fete at the Gocean.

The boat race is a key part of Down Council's annual Magnus Barelegs Festival and the competitors taking part in the event will be raising money for charity.

Two replica Viking boats will be used over the 300-yard course over two days of gruelling competition and the organisers are hoping everyone who takes part will have a great time.

A number of major businesses have provided sponsorship and a ballot will be run offering a number of top prizes, including free flights, wine, flowers, designer perfume, Translink tickets and a car valet.