Medieval Festival to create mayhem and merriment. Medieval Warriors will invade Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare, on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July ‘06 for what promises to be a Medieval Festival of mayhem and fun. Fighting is expected to be hot and heavy but unlike historic battles of yesteryear there will be no blood spilt.
The event is being organised by Shannon Heritage, Shannon Development’s tourism subsidiary, and has been designed to give visitors a unique insight into what life was like in medieval times.
The re-enactment event with, over 60 medieval warriors from Ireland, Wales and England, will literally move into the Folk Park grounds, close to the Castle for the weekend. To create a real sense of living conditions at that time the re-enactors will work, cook, eat, fight and sleep on site.
A tented medieval encampment is being erected to house the Warriors as would have been the custom. Soldiers who were guarding a castle would have been housed in tents nearby. Just like their medieval counterparts these Warriors won’t have the luxury of modern conveniences, so there will be no showers or electric light.
“With medieval battles, a tented medieval village, and with craft workers displaying skills from medieval times, we intend to give visitors an opportunity to step back in time and witness first hand what living conditions were like for people in medieval times”, says John King, Heritage and Tourism Director, Shannon Development.
The Fingal Living History Society, wearing traditional armour, will be joined at Bunratty Castle by re-enactors from England and Wales dressed in full fighting costumes.
With over ten years of experience in staging re-enactments, the Fingal Living History group will bring a lot of fun, knowledge and expertise to the spectacle. They enjoy nothing better than interacting with the public to answer any questions they may have about this colourful period in history. The Group has won several awards including Best Living History Display at Battlefest, in Palace Stables, Armagh as well as Best Re-Enactment Display. The medieval festival programme will include regular demonstrations of fighting techniques.
Visitors to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will be given a unique opportunity to step back in time to witness life in a medieval village. The group of re-enactors, dressed in authentic medieval costume, are planning to recreate village life in medieval times, adding colour and spectacle to the festivities.
A colourful Medieval tented village will provide displays including Bone Carving, Leather Work, Children’s Games, Weapons Display, Armour Display , Chain Mail Making, Shield making, Bronze Casting, Coin Making, Finger Braiding, and Wood Work..
Tablet weaving, a form of weaving which goes back to approx. 1000 BC., will also be on display. It is typically used to make long narrow trim for clothing or is used to finish the edge of plain-woven cloth.
There will also be a Cooking Site where traditional cooking methods will be demonstrated including, bread making and roasting a pig on a spit.
The action packed event will take place at Bunratty Castle on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July from 11.00 am until 5.00 pm. Medieval Warriors, in full armour, will demonstrate their fighting skills. In addition to this there will be two main battles at 12 noon and 4.00 pm daily, with smaller battles, and one on one combat throughout the day.
The events are open to the public, and will be an addition to the regular visitor attractions at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, there will be no extra charge for these events and family tickets will be available.
“We are delighted to be reliving the days of medieval chivalry at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park with this living history event. It will give visitors a unique opportunity to experience medieval Ireland in all its colour, passion and excitement. It will also allow the medieval re-enactors to fulfil their dream of demonstrating their skills and their interest in Irish heritage within the context of an authentic 15th century medieval castle here at Bunratty”, says Mr. John Ruddle, Chief Operations Officer, Shannon Heritage.
There will be a treat in store for the younger visitors who will get an opportunity to see the Noel Lambert Puppet Theatre perform “ Dinin & the naughty dog” in the Folk Park on Sunday the 2nd of July from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm.
For further enquiries about the event at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, please call Shannon Heritage at Tel: 061-360788.
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Nandi O’Sullivan
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