The 61 members of the crew raised their oars and made ready for the historic departure, a farewell in which the world’s largest reconstruction of a Viking ship set course for home in Roskilde with driving rain running down the sides.
A few minutes later, the world and Dublin burst out in sunshine, song and folk music, as the Sea Stallion after half a year in Ireland fought for space on the Liffey in sharp competition with half of the city’s pleasure boats.
The City Council had arranged the necessary and respectful mayoral speeches well-spiced with gospel music. The morning soon developed into a regular harbour party, and in contrast to Danes, the Irish seem to have a lot of “go” in them – before lunch.
The Sea Stallion was kissed at and waved to as, with a regular breeze across the stern, the ship quickly left the harbour and the pursuing pleasure boats behind and disappeared behind the low hills around Dublin Bay.