THE annual festival celebrating Ireland’s greatest king took place this year from Wednesday, July 2 to Sunday, July 6.
Brian Boru, Ireland’s High King from 1002 to 1014, broke with tradition, choosing to build a fortress away from the Hill of Tara, the established residence for Ireland’s kings. Instead, he selected a site about a mile from modern-day Killaloe in Co Clare overlooking the vast expanse of Lough Derg. Here, Ireland’s first – and last – High King resided while keeping watch for any would-be invaders from the spectacular vantage point until his death during what is described as his greatest triumph – victory over the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
Today the High King is remembered in many ways. The most well-known of these is the Féile Brian Boru, an annual summer five-day festival, held in the twin-towns of Killaloe and Ballina. Féile Brian Boru features a range of events aimed at all ages and usually includes a living history camp with re-enactors, guided trips on Lough Derg aboard a 40ft replica Viking Longboat, craft demonstrations and battle re-enactments.
Bringing it up to date – stand-up paddleboarding, water zorbing, kayaking, wild swimming and sailing taster sessions also feature. For children a variety of Brian Boru workshops such as sword, shield and crown making and facepainting. Historical talks and guided walks will take place and the event culminates with a spectacular firework display over the River Shannon.
Visitors to the area can board a guided boat tour taking in some of the sites linked to Brian Boru. Those with their own boats or choosing to hire a craft for a few days can cruise Lough Derg in more leisure, taking in some of the areas which Ireland’s High King would have known; Killaloe and the site of Kincora, Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) where Brian Boru was reputedly educated and his brother was Abbot and of course Béal Boru, Brian Boru’s great fortress.
New bridge
In May of this year a new bridge crossing the Shannon and linking Killaloe in Co Clare and Ballina in Co Tipperary was officially opened by the Minster for Transport, Mr Darragh O’Brien. Aptly named the Brian Boru Bridge, it is the first new vehicular bridge across the Shannon in more than three decades.
Set to improve the quality of life for residents of both towns, the bridge will take away through traffic from the town centres and reduce congestion. The new bridge has 10 viewing platforms located at each of its five piers as well as both pedestrian and cycle ways crossing it.
The original multi-arched stone bridge crossing the Shannon stands about 1km south of the new Brian Boru Bridge. Being a single lane bridge, it has, for many years, struggled to keep the 7000 or so vehicles a day which cross it constantly flowing. As an iconic feature of the twin towns the fate of the bridge has been of concern for many but it would seem that it still has an important role to play as a vital link for pedestrians which is currently being trialled.
And so, more than 1000 years on, Ireland’s High King will continue to play a part in thousands of people’s everyday lives as they cross the bridge dedicated to his memory.
