LIMERICK people can experience what it would have been like to live in a Norman settlement this weekend.
Bunratty Castle and An Gaill Glais re-enactment group will hold ‘Rebels and Rivals’ a day-long re-enactment set in the Norman period on Saturday (July 29).
Members of the public will be able to witness life in a Norman encampment up close and personal, experience the sights, sounds and smells of Norman knights on campaign, and hear their stories of how they fought and sought to conquer the island of Ireland.
Stephen Hanley, General Manager of Clare Tourism East, said: “We can’t wait for the lawns of Bunratty Castle to be taken over by An Gaill Glais who live the history of the period and not just the conflict.”
“They also show what day-to-day life was like for warriors and their families, as well as the gallant Gaels who stood against the Normans and defeated them on many occasions,” he said.
Marie Brennan, Events Manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, explained: “Gaill Glais, or ‘The Grey Foreigners’ was the name given by the Irish to the Invading Normans in 1170. The An Gaill Glais group of re-enactors live the history of the Norman period.”
Ms Brennan added, “During the Normans visit to Bunratty this Saturday, the public will be able to enjoy medieval mirth and merriment, educational demonstrations, arts and crafts, and get a true insight the life of the Knights of old, ladies and warriors of An Gaill Glais as they bring the past to life for one day only.”
Cornelius O’Sullivan from The Gaill Glais group of re-enactors said: “The public will be able to meet the troop of gallant warriors and loyal soldiers from Brother Jason, the returned crusader and now leader of the Lord’s bodyguard to Cathal the Archer, the lord of the battlefield.”
Tickets for the event can be booked on bunrattycastle.ie.
