John Nicholl is crew member on board the Sea Stallion from Glendalough but – in contrast to his daughter Triona – not participating in the expedition on board the ship itself. Instead he devoted himself to the preparations ashore making the expedition possible to carry out.
The Sea Stallion newsletter asked John Nicholl how on earth an Irish teacher became aware of the Sea Stallion and decided to sign up despite the distance to overcome in articipating in the expedition:
"Well, I first heard of this project in 2000 when I was in Roskilde for the launch of the Ottar (a Viking cargo ship replica). I had been asked to bring my Viking re-enactment group Gael agus Gall to take part in the Roskilde Viking Market," John explains. The invitation from Denmark was a result of the 'Vikings in Ireland' exhibition in the National Museum of Ireland. Here John met with a representative of the Viking Ship Museum School Service.
John’s daughter signed up first
"As a teacher with an interest in Viking history and archaeology I was very taken with the project. I followed the construction through the newsletters. In 2003 I brought a group of students from my school for a sailing week to Roskilde and also to see the building process of the Sea Stallion".
John’s Viking re-enactment group Gael agus Gall were once again invited to Roskilde to the launch of the Sea Stallion in 2004. "About 20 of us went over and were delighted to be there for the event. At that point I began to consider the possibility of sailing on the ship".
John’s daughter, Triona Nicholl, needed little less time to consider. She signed up as crew member and on this summer’s expedition she will jump on board the Sea Stallion somewhere north or west of Scotland and do the second part of the venture.
"Yes, Triona was first to apply and I eventually put my name down for a place on the crew list and was accepted. I was a little anxious to say the least, not having any previous sailing experience and having just celebrated my 50th birthday but I wanted to be a part of this project in some way. A further disadvantage was not speaking any Danish".
"Almost my last day"
"Triona and I travelled over for our first sail-training. It was quite an experience! The first day was almost my last. Apart from not understanding anything being said around me it took me a while to follow the procedures in the Halsrum (forward part of the ship). The other members of the team Toke, Mads and Lasse were very patient and tried their best to explain things to me in English. I began to follow what was happening. That evening I spent a lot of time just thinking through the events of the day and eventually decided to go back for day two. The sailing on Sunday was much better. I knew what I had to do and had begun to understand the various shouts and orders and could really enjoy the day," says John. Since then, I have been back for as many of the sail-training weekends as I can and I really enjoy sailing on the ship.
"Meanwhile, back in Dublin I was organising the visit of the Norwegian Viking ship 'Gaia' to Dublin and Wexford. It was quite a voyage and quite a project to take on. This visit was a great success and I made valuable contacts in Dublin. For various reasons I decided not to put my name forward for the Sea Stallion Dublin voyage but felt I could still put my experience of the 'Gaia' visit to good use for the Sea Stallion expedition. I suppose the most valuable contact I made was with Dublin Docklands who offered mooring facilities for the visit. I am now working with them on arrangements for the exhibition which will be held on the quayside when the ship arrives and I hope also to join the ship when she reaches Ireland".
The ultimate experiment
What do you fancy most about sailing with the Sea Stallion?
"Sailing on the Sea Stallion is a great adventure and also a great experiment. As an experimental archaeologist I have tried my hand at crafts such as medieval shoe making, flint knapping or bronze-casting but this project has got to be the ultimate experiment. I like the camaraderie of the crew and their enthusiasm for the project. Everyone has different reasons for taking part but all want it to succeed. I like being open to the elements and to sail in such a unique ship. My one complaint is that the ship is based in Denmark and so not easy for us to get to!."
Not much interest in Vikings?
What would the reactions in Ireland be as the Sea Stallion approaches?
"It is difficult to assess. It will depend on the publicity in advance. Unfortunately, it arrives on a Tuesday, a Saturday would have been better. Dublin is also a large city with a lot going on during the summer. There should be a good reaction from the Irish media. I know there are plans to organise a good reception for the ship and crew all we need is the weather".
"But to be honest, Irish people in general would not have a great interest in Vikings. However, the chance to see a Viking ship coming in to Dublin could change that. Already, the TV coverage of the press launch weekend is generating interest. Anyone I speak to has been struck by the size of the ship and its magnificent sail.
The voyage is an opportunity to take part in what could be called an adventure, something out of the ordinary and to make contacts and friends with people from Denmark and elsewhere," John says.
Prior to the Sea Stallion’s arrival John will be working in co-operation with the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde and Dublin Docklands to organise a Viking Craft Exhibition on the quayside where the Sea Stallion will be moored.
"We will have craft demonstrators from various parts of Ireland demonstrating crafts such as leatherwork, silversmith, wood-work and so on to the public".