2nd Bunratty

We fought the second Battle for Bunratty yesterday in glorious sunshine in the grounds of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. In the first battle for Bunratty the fighters went through the lists like a Knight through butter. The woodwork came apart as soon as the Buhurt bouts kicked off. This time the park builders put in far more braces and added screws to the nails and it had the desired effect. By the end of the day the list remained intact.

Three Irish medieval armoured fighting clubs participated. The Knights of Munster dazzled with their customary sartorial elegance bringing colour and glamour to the list. The doughty warriors of Fragarach from Leinster travelled far and fought hard. The boys from Athenry 1316 MFC took the spoils on the day in a hard fought round of duels, profights and group fights. Also a special mention to Oliver, our visiting French Mercenary Knight from Les Decendents du Hardi, who demonstrated his class on the field of battle.

We fought a selection of longsword duels, sword and shield duels, sword and buckler duels, a profight, and group fights (buhurt). Unlike 1st Bunratty no swords were broken on this day but we saw a shield smashed in two. We also have running repairs to make on some of the armour in preparation for 3rd Bunratty.

“It takes a village to raise a child” can be paraphrased for these events where we build a tented village and the show is impossible without the small army of announcers, marshalls, hit counters, runners, squires and helpers who assemble and dis-assemble the whole kit and caboodle. Big thanks to the folk at Bunratty who are on site to ensure everything goes to plan. And also a big thanks to the crowd to turn up and pay the fee that allows all of this to happen. You are beautiful people. Special mention to those who go the extra mile and dress for the occasion.

The Battle for Bunratty returns again on July 21st and August 11th 2024. In September we will move further north to the grounds of Claregalway Castle for the premier event of the year, the two day Claregalway Castle Shield organised by the Irish National Medieval Armoured Fighting club.

Now I’m off to do some light exercise to ease out stiff muscles but here is a final photo of the Knights of Munster presenting Oliver with a club T-shirt and pin.

-o0o-

This site is available for free and I make no money from any ads you see here. If you would like to show your appreciation feel free to leave a comment or you can buy me a coffee! http://buymeacoffee.com/DonalClancy

Knight Clancy

This is how the Clancy arms surcoat looks over a full suit of armour. I think it comes together pretty well. I didn’t have access to a mirror so I wasn’t able to adjust the folds properly but even so, it looks pretty good.

Also, much easier to make all the adjustments before you put on the helmet and gauntlets. I don”t intend this one for fighting and in serious competition they might rule the cloth out as not authentically medieval. But it should cut a dash about the list when I am not fighting. I have the lions on the back also.

For heraldry purists the Clancy arms are two lions gules passant guardant on a white field. I prefer these long skinny lions to the broader ones some people use. They look less friendly and more dangerous.

-=o0o=-

This site is available for free and I make no money from any ads you see here. If you would like to show your appreciation feel free to leave a comment or you can buy me a coffee! http://buymeacoffee.com/DonalClancy

Up in arms.

Do I look fat in this? I can promise you it rapidly becomes hot. The quilted gambeson under the armour is like wearing a duvet.

The first time you don a full suit of armour is a landmark day in the world of Armoured Martial Arts. To mark the occasion I was battered about firstly by Brendan, the club captain, with a small axe and then with by Brian with a longsword. Not much point wearing armour if you can’t take the hits :). It all went well. I could genuinely see stars a couple of times with the belts in the head, but that’s about as bad a hit as I’m ever likely to experience. The highlight was Daryl belting me with the pommel of the longsword.

The kilt, gauntlets and shoulders are all borrowed, but I should own the rest once the payments are made. Then I can order my own pieces to finish the kit. The next step is to fight in the armour. Beir Bua!

Knights of Munster are a Cork based club. In Ireland at the moment we also have 1316 in Athenry, Galway, and Fragarach in Dublin. All three are looking for members and if you would like to find out more send me a message in the comments section.

MACI (Medieval Armoured Combat Ireland) is the National body overseeing the sport in Ireland, making sure we all adhere to the international rules, and delivering insurance, training and marshalling. With clubs in Connacht, Munster and Leinster I have to ask what the Ulster lads are doing. There is definitely an opening for a Northern club.

-=o0o=-

This site is available for free and I make no money from any ads you see here. If you would like to show your appreciation feel free to leave a comment or you can buy me a coffee! http://buymeacoffee.com/DonalClancy