Longphort
Encyclopedia
A longphort is a term used in Ireland
for a Viking
ship enclosure or shore fortress. Longphorts were originally built to serve as camps for the raiding parties in
Ireland during the AD 830s
. These camps were fortified areas along rivers, usually at a tributary
where both sides were protected such that the Vikings could port ships. The sites were easily defended, sheltered, and gave immediate access to the sea. These camps would be of great importantance to the Vikings during their raids of Ireland, which included attacks on many churches and monasteries located on the coast of Ireland. The longphort was essential in establishing the presence of the Vikings during these attacks which could last for an extended period of time.
The word was first used in the 840s in the Irish annals
with the establishment of Viking
encampments at Linn Duachaill
and Dublin. It also describes new Viking settlements established at Waterford
in 914 and Limerick
in 922 possibly by the Uí Ímair
. Many camps along river banks and lakes did not last long, but others as such as Dublin developed into large towns, as did the other significant Hiberno-Norse settlements at Cork
, Waterford
, Wexford
and Limerick
.
This compound word was likely coined by Irish monks from the Latin word "longus" (long) reflecting the Old Norse "lang" (long), thus implying "lang skip" (long ship); plus the Latin "portus", meaning port, harbour. There are many towns and townlands in Ireland whose names bear some element of Longphort in them. This may suggest that at some point in history there may have been a longphort situated there, as is attested in some examples.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
for a Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
ship enclosure or shore fortress. Longphorts were originally built to serve as camps for the raiding parties in
Ireland during the AD 830s
Early Medieval Ireland 800–1166
The History of Ireland 800–1169 covers the period in the history of Ireland from the first Viking raids to the Norman invasion. The first two centuries of this period are characterised by Viking raids and the subsequent Norse settlements along the coast...
. These camps were fortified areas along rivers, usually at a tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
where both sides were protected such that the Vikings could port ships. The sites were easily defended, sheltered, and gave immediate access to the sea. These camps would be of great importantance to the Vikings during their raids of Ireland, which included attacks on many churches and monasteries located on the coast of Ireland. The longphort was essential in establishing the presence of the Vikings during these attacks which could last for an extended period of time.
The word was first used in the 840s in the Irish annals
Irish annals
A number of Irish annals were compiled up to and shortly after the end of Gaelic Ireland in the 17th century.Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days...
with the establishment of Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
encampments at Linn Duachaill
Linn Duachaill
Linn Duachaill is the name of a Viking longphort near the village of Annagassan, County Louth, Ireland. The settlement was built in 841 AD, the same time as the settlement of Dubh Linn, or Dublin...
and Dublin. It also describes new Viking settlements established at Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
in 914 and Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
in 922 possibly by the Uí Ímair
Uí Ímair
The Uí Ímair , or Dynasty of Ivar, were an enormous royal and imperial Norse dynasty who ruled Northern England, the Irish Sea region and Kingdom of Dublin, and the western coast of Scotland, including the Hebrides, from the mid 9th century, losing control of the first in the mid 10th, but the rest...
. Many camps along river banks and lakes did not last long, but others as such as Dublin developed into large towns, as did the other significant Hiberno-Norse settlements at Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
, Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
and Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
.
This compound word was likely coined by Irish monks from the Latin word "longus" (long) reflecting the Old Norse "lang" (long), thus implying "lang skip" (long ship); plus the Latin "portus", meaning port, harbour. There are many towns and townlands in Ireland whose names bear some element of Longphort in them. This may suggest that at some point in history there may have been a longphort situated there, as is attested in some examples.