Viking Dublin – The Wood Quay Excavations
Meta Description: Explore Viking Dublin through the legendary Wood Quay excavations — uncovering over 100,000 artefacts and the heart of Norse urban life in Ireland.
Introduction
Viking Dublin was once one of the most important Norse towns in all of Europe. Hidden beneath Dublin’s modern city centre, the Wood Quay excavations of the 1970s revealed an extraordinary trove of Viking material: homes, tools, weapons, and over 100,000 artefacts that changed Irish archaeology forever.
A City Beneath the Streets
During construction of Dublin’s civic offices, archaeologists uncovered layers of Viking-age settlement — streets paved with wood, fenced homes, latrines, and workshops. The discovery was so significant it triggered massive public protests to halt development. Despite limited preservation, the findings were thoroughly documented by Dublin City Council and are featured in the Wood Quay Archaeological Archive.
What Was Found?
- Wattle-and-daub houses
- Weapons, coins, and weights
- Bone combs, leather shoes, and pottery
- Ship-building tools and trade artefacts
These discoveries proved Dublin was not just a Norse military base — it was a vibrant trade and craft centre connected to global routes.
Legacy and Museum Exhibits
Many items from Wood Quay are housed in the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology. Street names like Fishamble and Winetavern echo the Viking era even today.