Experience Medieval Archery

The phrase to “chance your arm” refers to a gamble being taken, a risk of some sort, with the following Irish legend tracing the origin of it all the way back to a family feud in Dublin of 1492.
Two rival families, the Butlers and FitzGeralds, were locked in a dispute. Both wanted a member of their own to be Lord Deputy and neither would concede. The FitzGeralds however, were more powerful, so when tension erupted into all out warfare the Butlers found themselves swiftly overpowered and outnumbered.
They sought refuge inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, hoping that the FitzGeralds would not slaughter them inside a house of God.
The Fitzgeralds surrounded the cathedral.
But instead of forcing their way in as was expected, they offered the Butlers a safe exit, free of bloodshed. Understandably unwilling to believe such a seemingly sketchy offer, the Butlers rejected it.
In response, the head of the FitzGeralds, Gerald FitzGerald, had a hole sawn in the church door, in through which he thrust his full arm and with it the offer of a hand in friendship - a daring act of good faith.
Black James, leader of the Butlers, upon seeing that Fitzgerald was willing to so brazenly “chance his arm” being chopped off accepted his word as good. Black James and Gerald FitzGerald shook hands through the hole and the two families made peace.
The door still survives today inside the same St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin where it’s known as the Door of Reconciliation.

Some lovely medieval names here.

Which of these rare medieval names would you like to see make a comeback in 2026? 🛡️ ⚔️

West Waterford News.

Waterford Rural Tourism Network event on Tuesday 31st March 2026, 10am -12pm at Dooleys Hotel.
The Waterford Rural Tourism Network has been developing in recent years across five cluster areas: Blackwater Valley, Comeragh, Copper Coast, Gaeltacht na nDéise and Waterford Estuary. The event is a great opportunity to connect and collaborate with businesses from across Waterford.

This showcase event, which is open to all tourism businesses, will highlight the offering of Rural Waterford and our colleagues in the tourism offices.

We would encourage you to organise for as many of your front facing team members to attend the event so as to increase their knowledge of Waterford’s offering.

This will be a fantastic event with some amazing prizes available for attendees through our on the day competition.

Waterford Rural Tourism Networks Event Registration 31-3-2026 Fill out this form.

A powerful message.
A friend once told - trust no one but your family. We agreed that thus did not mean siblings.

In Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, history is heavily dramatized: Commodus is killed in the Colosseum by Maximus, and Marcus Aurelius is suffocated by his own son. Neither event reflects what actually happened.

In reality, Commodus was assassinated in 192 CE as part of a palace conspiracy and strangled in his bath by his wrestling partner, Narcissus. Marcus Aurelius died earlier, in 180 CE, from illness while campaigning along the Danube—possibly due to the Antonine Plague, which ravaged the Roman Empire from roughly 165 to 180 CE.

The plague is believed to have been either smallpox or measles, though its exact nature remains debated. It likely spread when Roman troops returned from eastern campaigns. Ancient accounts, including those by the physician Galen, describe symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, throat inflammation, and a blistering skin rash.

The outbreak caused severe population losses, weakened the military, disrupted the economy, and fueled instability during Marcus Aurelius’ reign. Some estimates suggest between 5 and 10 million deaths—around 10 to 15 percent of the empire’s population.

European study on Viking DNA sequencing.

The study on Viking DNA sequencing reveals several key findings that challenge the traditional image of Vikings. Here are the main discoveries:

- Viking Identity Wasn't Exclusive to Scandinavians: The study shows that Viking identity wasn't limited to people with Scandinavian genetic ancestry. Individuals with no Scandinavian DNA were buried in Viking graves, suggesting that being a Viking was more about cultural identity and allegiance than bloodlines.
- Genetic Diversity: Vikings had high levels of non-Scandinavian ancestry, indicating ongoing gene flow across Europe. The study found genetic influences from Southern Europe and Asia in Viking DNA, dating back to before the Viking Age.
- Not All Vikings Were Blonde: Genetic analysis reveals that many Vikings had brown hair, debunking the stereotype of blonde-haired Vikings. This challenges traditional notions of racial purity and cultural identity.
- Family Ties: DNA analysis of a boat burial in Estonia shows that four brothers died together, suggesting that Viking raids were sometimes family affairs. Other burials also indicate that close relatives traveled together.
- Trade and Commerce: The study highlights the Vikings' commercial activities, such as trading furs, walrus tusks, and seal fat. This suggests that Vikings were entrepreneurs as much as warriors.
- Regional Differences: Viking populations across Scandinavia were genetically distinct, contradicting the idea of a unified Viking people. Different regions had different genetic profiles, indicating localized identities.
- Legacy in Modern Populations: The study estimates that up to 6% of the UK population and 10% of Sweden's population carry Viking DNA, showing the lasting impact of Viking movements on European genetics.¹ ² ³

A massive effort to sequence the DNA of Vikings across Europe was published in 2020. The study revealed family histories of Vikings who set forth—and died—far from home.

Learn more on : https://scim.ag/4rncYIt

When religion and politics mix, people die.
As the sun rose on 21 February 1431 Joan of Arc appeared before a tribunal of 43 men tasked with questioning her on matters of faith. A little over four months later the court found her guilty of heresy. Joan submitted to the charges and signed an abjuration, but was nonetheless sentenced to life in prison. Officials visited her cell days later after learning that she had disobeyed a court order forbidding her from wearing men’s clothing. Far more damning than her attire was her statement that she no longer stood by her abjuration, which she admitted to having accepted only out of a ‘fear of the fire’. Her recantation made certain that that fear would become her fate. Two days later, on 30 May 1431, Joan stood before a large crowd at the Old Market in Rouen, where, declared a relapsed heretic, she was excommunicated. No longer responsible for her, the Church transferred her to secular authorities representing Henry VI, the declared king of France and England. She was condemned to death by fire.

The Trial of Joan of Arc: An Account Welcome to Famous Trials, the Web’s largest and most visited collection of original essays, trial transcripts and exhibits, maps, images, and other materials relating to the greatest trials in world history.public $MetaDesc =

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts. -John Locke, philosopher (29 Aug 1632-1704)

Quite

I've a couple of units (beard trimmers) where the charging cables have 'gone missing'.
The female socket is about 12mm across - thus smaller than the usual one used for computers, CD players etc. Does anyone have one to spare or know of where I can order one? No shop in W. Waterford has 'em.
I've even tried the local recycle place.
Blue line to indicate the 12mm span.

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This could be of great interest to someone you know!

Starting January 2025 in Kilkenny, our new thatching training course with Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board - KCETB is designed for individuals wishing to pursue a career as a thatcher in Ireland.

See https://ow.ly/Hhtf50UfXoX for details