Exploring Viking Board Games through a modern lens.

This project aims to create a greater understanding of 'The Game Piece' sculpture in the Tranquility Garden at Aras an Chontae, Mullingar. Many people do not know that this piece is an artist's interpretation of one of the Viking Age Gaming Pieces discovered at Lough Sewdy. The gaming pieces would have been used on a board similar to that found on Archaeological Excavations at  Ballinderry Crannog (also in Westmeath) and referred to as the Ballinderry Gaming Board.  

This project will create a 3D model of the original gaming board on display at the National Museum of Ireland. That digital model will be available online and from the digital model it will be possible to make a 3D print of the gaming board that can be held and used in Mullingar Library, which is located in Aras an Chontae. Through the library members of the public will be invited to design gaming pieces for use on the board and winning entries can be 3d printed for use on the board. People will be invited to play the Viking Game Hnefatafl. 

It is planned to create a digital piece about 'the Gaming Piece' to be published on https://westmeathculture.ie/ This will include another creative interpretation of the game.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.