Tinna Damgård-Sørensen, Director of the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde:
Lord Mayor, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen.
I’m honoured to be here today.
Representing the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, the Sea Stallion and its crew, I’m completely overwhelmed by this spectacular and warm welcome.
And I’m happy to take part in this celebration of our common cultural heritage.
At this occasion I want to thank the crew.
During the last ten years the Sea Stallion project has given us many fabulous experiences. But your homecoming to Dublin beats them all.
You have survived, and you have brought the ship safe from Roskilde to its original homeport: Dublin.
You have tested the ship under different weather conditions.
You have proved it seaworthy, and you have identified the weak parts of the reconstruction that we have to reconsider.
You have travelled more than 1.000 nautical miles with an average speed of aprox. 5 knots.
You have spent 340 hours under sail and oars.
You have been tacking surprisingly well, you have been able to keep full sail in strong breeze, and for long distances you have kept around 10 knots.
You have experienced the conditions of the Viking sailor: The dependence on the changing weather conditions with favourable winds, severe gales, and no winds at all. Currents and tidal streams. Rain and cold. Lack of sleep, privacy and modern comfort.
You have seen the landscapes from sea, and reached the lands from the coast.
You have camped in remote places that to my surprise all were supplied with whisky distilleries and well assorted pubs.
And you have met great hospitality and generosity on your way.
During the voyage you have collected a large amount of data concerning the ship and its sailing abilities. Combined with your experiences these data will give us new knowledge on the Viking long ships, that connected kings and towns of the Western Viking world.
You have used modern technology to tell the world of your achievements.
Your story has been told in media world wide, and more than 100.000 people from all over the world have followed your voyage on the homepage.
You have brought the Sea Stallion and the two old Viking towns: Roskilde and Dublin on the lips of everyone.
Never before has a Viking long ship and its crew received a better press! Well done. I am truly proud of you!
On behalf of the Viking Ship Museum I want to express my sincere gratitude to the crew and their families. And to all the benefactors. Who made this Voyage possible.
On this occasion, I want especially to thank all our Irish Partners and all the people, who have come here to day to welcome the ship and the crew.
You make the homecoming of the Sea Stallion a great celebration - not only of the Voyage - but of our common history and our common cultural heritage.
I’m looking forward to continue and to further develop our historical and cultural relationship.
In this connection I am more than happy to leave the ship in Dublin during the winter. I and the crew are looking forward to come back for the return voyage next year.
Thank you all we are looking forward to seeing you again!