Paddle back in time

Paddle back in time is a kayak tour run in conjunction with NI Science Festival.

Paddle Back in Time – The Monks, the Vikings and the Smugglers of Strangford Lough

Whiterock – Nendrum | Strangford Lough
This award-winning event (National Heritage Week 2021) will take you on a kayak tour to Mahee Island following a traditional smuggling route undertaken by Daft Eddie and the Merry Hearts.
In Whiterock, you will be kitted out with wetsuit and buoyancy aid and briefed by local guide and kayak instructor Rory Martin. Rory grew up on Strangford Lough and has a real affinity and knowledge of the area, its waterways and heritage.
At Mahee Island Dr. Sarah Baccianti – researcher in literature and history of medieval Scandinavia. – will guide you through the ruins of the monastic site of Nendrum, life in the monastery in the Middle Ages, and the role played by the Vikings in the Strangford Lough area between the 9th and 11th centuries. Dr Frances Kane will join us on the 18th March (only) – linguist fluent in Irish language and a researcher in the origins of Northern Ireland’s place names for the project Place Names NI and OS200 – will guide you through the stories behind the place names of the area.

This in-person event focuses on the safe return to group activities post-Covid. Allowing the exploration of the outdoors and the heritage at our doorstep. Moving the body and engaging the mind whilst adventuring into the waters of Strangford Lough.

  • What’s Included: All Equipment, Tuition, Guide & Historian
  • Tour length: 3 Hours
  • Price £50pp
  • Dates & Times Below

Paddle Back in Time – Traders, Pilgrims and Vikings 

Jane’s Shore – Inch Abbey | Quoile River, Downpatrick

During this kayak adventure we will explore the tranquil river Quoile to Inch Abbey, exploring the rich history that unfolded on its riverbanks.

At Jane’s Shore you will be kitted out with wetsuit and buoyancy aid and briefed by kayak instructor Rory Martin. We will then set out towards Inch Abbey (12th-13th centuries), which was founded by the Anglo-Norman John de Courcy on the site of a pre-Norman church called Inis Cumhscraigh.

While paddling we will admire the surrounding landscape which has become a haven for freshwater wildlife and learn from Dr. Sarah Baccianti – researcher in literature and history of medieval Scandinavia – will explore the settlements in the area throughout history, how the Quoile offered protection but also limited the opportunities of trade and expansion. At Inch abbey you will discover the history of the monastic site and the role played by the Vikings in the area. Dr Frances Kane – linguist fluent in Irish language and a researcher in the origins of Northern Ireland’s place names for the project Place Names NI and OS200 – will guide you through the stories behind the place names of the area.

  • What’s Included: All Equipment, Tuition, Guide & Historian
  • Tour length: 3 Hours
  • Price £50pp
  • Dates & Times Below

Kayak Tour | Mahee Castle | Quoile River | Nendrum Monastic Site | Petrel Lightship | Sketrick Castle | Northern Ireland | Strangford Lough | County Down | Northern Ireland Science Festival

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