The Vikings first came to Ireland as raiders but began to settle here by the ninth century. In the south of the country they founded the towns of Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Cork and Limerick.
Archaeologists have found evidence for these southern towns, but no traces of settlements, and relatively few Viking objects, in the north of Ireland. However, the name ‘Strangford’ is a Viking word, referring to the strong currents in the Narrows of the Lough.