Viking writing is called Runes. Vikings did not use pen. They cut the letters into  wood. RUNES were straight strokes as curves were hard to cut out. Runes means
the secret knowledge and wisdom. A god called Odin was regarded as the father
of runes. Among the illiterate Vikings the runes masters were held in high regard.
The Runic alphabet was known from the first century AD among all Germanic 
tribes around the Baltic Sea. The oldest runic alphabet had 24runes.The 
Viking word for alphabet was Futhark named after the first six letters in the
Runic alphabet. Viking Rune-masters used 16 letters in theirs futhark. Towards 
the end of the Viking Age the rune -masters thought that they needed more runes in the furthark and put in some new ones. Viking graffiti has been found on wood and bone.

Thomas Boland 
 

The Vikings spoke various languages. They knew some English words like eggs, skill, sky and anger. They learned more words from their invasions. Here are some Old Norse, English and Irish words which sound alike.
 

Irish                                         English                             Old Norse
Íarla                                         Lord                                Jarl
Bád                                          Boat                                Batr
Trosc                                       Cod                                 Thorskr
Dor                                          Fishing line                     Dorg
Bróg                                        Shoe                                Brok
Pingin                                    Penny                              Penningr
Garrdha                                   Garden                            Gardr
Scilling                                    Shilling                           Skillingr 

By Aisling Mooney.

Many Viking names still remain in Ireland and other contries. Here are some Viking 
Names like Eric,Astrid,Olaf,and Thora.Did you know that Vikings were very fond of nicknames like Ulf(wolf) and born(bear). There are lots more Viking names like Harold, Ingrid and Thorvolt. There are lots of Viking surnames with the word beard, E.G. 
Redbeard and Silkenbeard.

Viking PlACENAMES

Most of Viking placenames are in east or south of Ireland because Vikings came to the east sailed down through the Irish Sea and along south coast. Wexford, Dursey, Waterford, Carlinford, Smerwick, Salttes, Lambay, Leixlip, Dalkey, Howth, Wicklow and Skellig are all Viking names.

By Serena Maguire.