| Annagassan | |
| Native Name: | Irish: Áth na gCasán |
| Native Name Lang: | ga |
| Settlement Type: | Village |
| Pushpin Map: | Ireland |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Ireland |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Ireland |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Leinster |
| Subdivision Type3: | County |
| Subdivision Name3: | County Louth |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Population As Of: | 2022 |
| Population Footnotes: | [1] |
| Population: | 189 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Coordinates: | 53.8833°N -27°W |
Annagassan [2] is a village in the townland of Ballynagassan, County Louth, Ireland. It sits where the River Glyde enters the Irish Sea. As of the 2022 census, Annagassan had a population of 189 people.[1]
Annagassan was first mentioned as Linn Duachaill in AD 841 when the establishment of a Viking longphort was recorded.[3] [4] It is unclear whether the longphort at Annagassan continued under the Dublin Viking regime after 852 since the location is not mentioned for seventy years.[5] The longphort is estimated to have been 1.18 kilometres from north to south. Within this area, the earthwork of Lisnarann may have acted as the citadel. Thomas Wright was the first to record this area in 1748 and described it as a "Danish fort by the pass of the Llyns, upon the banks of the sea".[6] The first material evidence of a Viking presence was a honestone discovered during a field survey of the site in a field near a laneway off Castle bellington. In 2007, a geophysical survey was conducted that revealed a substantial anomaly spanning roughly 120 meters which likely extended the full 250 meters distance to the sea.[7] The longphort itself was discovered in 2010 during a small research excavation.[8]
In 827, the Annals of Ulster record that the Vikings attacked the Ciannachta people of Louth and north Meath. These early raids were sporadic coastal attacks by small seaborne forces; however, from the 830s, a new phase was characterised by larger fleets, which penetrated up navigable rivers and plundered extensive inland areas.
Annagassan was once as important as the Viking settlement at Dubh Linn (The Black Pool).[9] The modern village is generally believed to be built on what some archaeologists consider to be a man-made polder structure, constructed to provide shelter for the fjord. The original settlement was located further upstream; navigation was considerably easier on the River Glyde in the 9th century before the intervening build-up of sediment.
The Glyde Inn, located in the village, is a family owned restaurant and traditional Irish bar which was named National Irish Pub of the Year in 2018.[10] Sláns Bar is also nearby.
Annagassan is a fishing village, and the harbour still houses a number of fishing vessels that set out during the summer months for crab claws and other seafood. The main beach stretches the length of the coastline, beginning at the mouth of the River Glyde and stretching onto Salterstown beach.
From 2008 to 2013, Annagassan celebrated its Viking heritage with an annual "Viking Festival". The festival included demonstrations of sword fighting, dress up competitions, music, food and entertainment. It ended with a parade to the harbour in which a large wooden longboat was carried, and then burned in a bonfire. While the festival ended in 2014, due to insurance issues, the annual Viking 10k run still takes place. Runners complete a circuit which encircles Annagassan village, Salterstown and the surrounding areas. The Viking 10k race celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022.
In sport, the local GAA club, Naomh Fionnbarra and St Anne's GFG, compete in Gaelic football competitions. The club fields children's, men's and women's teams and plays its home matches at John Markey Park in Annagassan.
The local school is St. Finian's of Dillonstown - sharing its name with the local church.
Bus Éireann route 168 provides nine daily journeys to Dundalk, and nine daily journeys to Drogheda, on weekdays. The route also passes through Dromiskin, Castlebellingham, Clogherhead, Termonfeckin and Baltray.[11]