The Vikings are coming!

A Viking ship has set sail for Dublin from the Danish port of Roskilde, in an attempt to recreate the voyages undertaken by early Norsemen.

The 30m (98.5ft) long replica, called Sea Stallion, is said to be the world's largest reconstructed Viking vessel.

It is based on a ship made nearly 1,000 years ago in Ireland, which in 1962 was excavated from the Roskilde fjord.

A crew of 65 volunteers will travel the 1,900km (1,200 miles) to Dublin, using only oar and sail power.

The original, which was made in 1042, is believed to have taken part in clashes between the Anglo-Saxons and Normans in 1050-1060, when many Danish Vikings lived in Ireland.

The boat sank in the Roskilde fjord at the end of the 11th century, while defending the country's coast from Norwegian Vikings. (Source)

During the 8th century the Vikings raided and pillaged up and down the Irish coast. They fought battles with the kings of Ireland for two centuries, until they were defeated by the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru.

It was a tad complicated due to the intermarrying. Brian was married to Gormlaith, who was the mother of Sitric Silkbeard, who was the leader of the Norsemen in Dublin and Sitric, himself, was married to Brian's daughter.

On the 23th of April in 1014 Brian's forces met Sitric's on the field of battle. Brian won the Battle of Clontarf, but he and his firstborn son and grandson were killed on the field of battle. The Norsemen suffered heavy losses including those who drowned in an attempt to swim back to their ships. The battle essentially ended the Viking Age (795-1041) in Ireland.