Longphort

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A longphort is a term used in Ireland for a Viking ship enclosure^[1] or shore fortress. Longphorts were originally built to serve as camps for the raiding parties in Ireland during the AD 830s. These camps were fortified areas along rivers, usually at a tributary where both sides were protected such that the Vikings could port ships. The sites were easily defended; sheltered; and gave immediate access to the sea. ^[1]

The word was first used in the 840s in the Irish annals with the establishment of Viking encampments at Linn Duachaill and Dublin. It also describes new Viking settlements established at Waterford in 914 and Limerick in 922^[1] possibly by the Uí Ímair. Many camps along river banks and lakes did not last long, but others as such as Dublin developed into large towns.

It is a word invented by the Irish monks from the Latin words "longus", meaning boat/ship, and "portus", meaning harbour. There are many towns and townlands in Ireland whose names bear some element of Longphort in them. This may suggest that at some point in history there may have been a longphort situated there, as is attested in some examples.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Connolly S.J (1998). The Oxford Companion to Irish History. Oxford University Press, 580. ISBN 0192116959.