Olaf the Viking: a one-man mint

What do you do?
In Dublinia at the weekends, I demonstrate for visitors how the first coins were made in Dublin.

How did you get into your job?
I've two grown-up sons and when they were young they got very interested in living history re-enactment. Because I had to drive them to the various events, I thought I could get involved, and it went from there.

Is your work seasonal?
Yes, it is. I do it for the weekends of three months, June - August.

What's the best thing about your job?
That I meet people of all ages from all over the world. Four years ago, I met an American visitor who is now my wife. She came to Dublinia, I gave her one of my coins, and when she went home she emailed Dublinia to thank them. They passed the email on to me, I replied, and the rest is history.
And the worst thing?
When it gets busy! Dublinia is very popular with groups of language students, so when you get 40 Italian teenagers it's a bit of pandemonium, but they're lovely kids and I never have any trouble.

How is the local economy doing?
Judging by what I've seen with visitors coming through this summer, there's a lot of people. I think the heritage industry is holding its own.

Does it pay well?
Yes, basically I work for Dublinia as an independent contractor so I'm responsible for my transport, my costume, my equipment. I charge Dublinia for the materials I use for the coins and they pay me an adequate daily fee for the work I do.
Will you have a holiday?
I'll stop doing this at the end of August, and then my wife and I will probably have a week or two over in England and see relatives over there.

Do you find yourself staying in character?
Well, yes. I don't present myself as if we were back in the 10th century. I'm a modern person in authentic costume.

In conversation with Una Mullally