Noticia: Fortaleza vikinga descubierta en Irlanda

Photo: © Luke Torris Photography

Los restos de la legendaria fortaleza vikinga de Duachaill Linn han sido descubiertos en el noreste de Irlanda, 45 kilómetros al norte de Dublín, siendo este un enclave que los arqueólogos han estado intentando localizar a lo largo de 200 años. Este lugar era conocido por figurar en numerosos documentos medievales, donde solían referirlo como un longphort, un término usado para describir una fortificación construida por los vikingos para guarnecer sus barcos.

La fortaleza de Linn Duachaill fue fundada en el mismo año que Dublín (841) y utilizada por los vikingos como centro de comercio, como un lugar de encuentro para organizar ataques contra los monasterios del interior de Irlanda, o como punto donde llevar a los esclavos capturados para enviarlos a otros lugares.

extracto de un artículo original de Erin Mullaly publicado en Archaeology Magazine

Fragmento de "The history of Irland to the coming of Henry II", uno de los textos antiguos donde se menciona esta fortaleza.

840 - A fortress was made by the foreigners at Linn Duachaill, out of which the territories 

and churches of Teftia were preyed. Another fortress was made 
by them at Dublin, out of which they plundered Leinster and the 
Ui Neill (South) as far as Slieve Bloom. 

841— The killing and 
burning of the Abbot of Linn Duachaill.^ A fleet of Norsemen 
on the Boyne at Rosnarce, another on Lough S willy, and a 
third at Magheralin. Olonmacnoise, Castledermot, Birr and 
Seirkieran were plundered. 

842 — Clonfert was burned. 

843 — Cluana-an-dobhair, near Killeigh, in the King's County, and 
Dunmask were plundered. Nuadhat and the Abbot of Tir-da- 
Glas were martyred, and Forannan, the Primate of Armagh, was 
captured, with his relics and Muintir, and taken to Limerick 
to their ships. Here comes the first mention of Turgesius in 
the Annals (843 F.M., recte 845). An expedition by Turgeis, 
lord of the foreigners, upon Lough Ribh, so that they plun- 
dered Connact and Meath, and burned Cluain-mic-Nois, with 
its oratories, Cluain Fearta Brennain, and Tir-da-Glas, Lothra 
and many others in like manner. A battle was gained over 
the foreigners by King Niall, the Bon of ^dh, in Magh Itha, 
and a countless number fell. Turgeis was taken prisoner by 
Maelseachlainn " and his drowning afterwards in L. Uair 
(L. Owel), through the miracles of God, and Kiaran, and the 
saints in general."

* St. Kiaran's special anger is accounted 
for by the fact that Ota, the wife of Turgesius, took her seat, 
we are told, on the high altar in the church at Olonmacnoise, 
and gave audience and answer from it.