Greetings from connaght

[Huntress]

my dad was involved with viking re-enactments in the 70's and early 80's & had to give it up due to Back problems... Unfortunately he was persuaded to part with all his swords and other gear as none of my older brothers and sisters werent interested! No one expected that the youngest girl (myself) would be interested in such things lol. My interest has been revived recently and i am hoping to join up with a local archery club in january.

My other interests are growing vegetables, keeping poultry, goats and horses, hunting with ferrets and a lurcher. Im also interested in kickboxing and would like to take up muai thai
So you may have guessed im not exactly a girlie girl lol, im happily married and my husband is also interested in medieval re-enactments.

[brendan]

Nooooo! Never give away the swords...unless its to get new swords
There are a bunch of books out there on Medieval cookery and food in general, not so sure about viking specific but there must be something. There is an early medieval Irish foods Group on facebook if you can find it - some interesting stuff on there and at the very least they could point you in the right direction.
Faoi Lia is the only group I know of that does that era in Connaught - they are based up near Carrick on Shannon. I am involved in Mogh Roith who are based more around Mountshannon in Clare though we have a secret agent studying in GMIT in Galway these days.
Depending on your proximity to Galway there is a group doing HEMA there - Longsword mainly. It isn't exactly Reenactment in its traditional sense and certainly not Viking but it might meet your need for violence without having to go to the East!

Brendan

[Huntress]

Ive all the time in the world to join reenactment groups... Im going to start off learning a few skills such as archery and a few crafts, id like to learn a little about various spears... Swords are not on my agenda at this time. Medieval cookery would be of interest as it fits in with the self sufficiency skills i am trying to master

[Nerva]

What is it about Viking? Why are people not drawn to world conquest and total domination Roman style?

[brendan]

It's the sandals and socks

[Nerva]

Ah, I see, it's the socks....

[Huntress]

What is it about Viking? Why are people not drawn to world conquest and total domination Roman style?

Its the savagery that draws us in, we are barbarians at heart
I wouldnt say i would rule out the romans either, they were highly efficient soldiers and my favourite topic in history.

[brendan]

Don't forget there is also the Irish aspect to the history of the Viking age!
...don't turn to the Roman side of the force

[Huntress]

im not irish alas... Im a mongrel brit (english/irish/scottish) but as appearances go i am a celt brown curly hair, green eyes and pale skin

[Nerva]

Ah Brendan, wait until February when LIARI publish their 6th set of papers. I think the Roman dimension to early Irish life may finally be exposed. As for the barbarian appeal of the Vikings, quite frankly that raw warrior thing just doesn’t appeal to me. Me, I like to have a nice offering to the gods before a battle followed by a nice glass of wine and a back rub from a slave girl when it's finished (and watch the men clear the field and rob, er I mean carefully repatriate the belongings of the enemy, all very sophisticated don’t you know

Oh I nearly forgot, I do love to warm up by listening to a bit of Roman theme music...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzntZLHcYy0