Waterford Viking Living History/Reenactment group

looksee

I am looking at starting a Viking living history/re-enactment group for Waterford and would like to make contact with a few people who might be interested in forming a core group to get it off the ground.

If you have never heard of this kind of group it is a history interest group that makes costumes and crafts relating to a particular period in history. Some members learn to fight and perform set-piece battles at public events and festivals, others demonstrate (and sell, sometimes) crafts or just wander around in costume.

The key words are research, authentic, practise and craic.

There are a few groups in Ireland doing this, in Dublin and Limerick and there was a group in UCC, I don't know whether it is still running.

It is very popular in the UK http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/ and there are major Viking gigs in Norway, Denmark etc. Participants tend to take their costuming very seriously - no synthetics! and authentic accessories and weapons, but they also take their socialising seriously and adjourn to the pub to discuss - whatever needs discussion!

It is suitable for all ages, and can be as energetic as you wish.

With the development of the Viking areas of Waterford and the building of the Viking longship, a reenactment group seems inevitable. If you would like to get involved please reply, and pm me your email address so I can let you know what is happening.

dayshah

ooh ooh, can we pillage,

please

looksee

dayshah wrote: »

ooh ooh, can we pillage,

please

You only get to pillage the opposition - like Dublin and Limerick

dayshah

looksee wrote: »

You only get to pillage the opposition - like Dublin and Limerick

Fine by me. I suggest we start by pillaging New Ross, to perfect our pillaging skill, then move on to Kilkenny and then Limerick and so on. Waterford Vikings versus the McCarthy-Dundon gang.

Seriously though, any plans for a boat? You could do some mad recreations with a raid on Ardmore.

looksee

dayshah wrote: »

Fine by me. I suggest we start by pillaging New Ross, to perfect our pillaging skill, then move on to Kilkenny and then Limerick and so on. Waterford Vikings versus the McCarthy-Dundon gang.

Seriously though, any plans for a boat? You could do some mad recreations with a raid on Ardmore.

There is in fact a replica viking longship being build by Fas in association with the Museum of Treasures and Waterford Chamber of Commerce http://www.waterfordchamber.com/index.php/about-waterford/784-launch-of-viking-longboat-project

c - 13

Very interested here, plus I reckon I can bring another as well.

Psychedelic

This would be fantastic to see in the city. Would you consider doing more than just Viking times? We have a very long history so I think re-enactments of other eras would be cool too e.g. the marriage of Aoife and Strongbow. But even just the Viking era would be great.

You should also find some interested people in the likes of Spraoi and the local drama/threatre groups. You should speak to Eamonn McEneaney in the Museum of Treasures too.

Dan133269

Psychedelic wrote: »

This would be fantastic to see in the city. Would you consider doing more than just Viking times? We have a very long history so I think re-enactments of other eras would be cool too e.g. the marriage of Aoife and Strongbow. But even just the Viking era would be great.

You should also find some interested people in the likes of Spraoi and the local drama/threatre groups. You should speak to Eamonn McEneaney in the Museum of Treasures too.

The Granary will certainly be interested and helpful with this too. There was a Viking re-enactment last summer in Waterford. A crowd based mainly in England if I recall correctly. They did a mock battle in John Robert's Square and then a gathering in the undercroft underneath the motor tax office the next day.

looksee

Psychedelic wrote: »

This would be fantastic to see in the city. Would you consider doing more than just Viking times? We have a very long history so I think re-enactments of other eras would be cool too e.g. the marriage of Aoife and Strongbow. But even just the Viking era would be great.

You should also find some interested people in the likes of Spraoi and the local drama/threatre groups. You should speak to Eamonn McEneaney in the Museum of Treasures too.

Certainly a re-enactment group can do more than one 'time', but it will be quite complicated to set up initially in terms of getting people costumed etc, so I think it would be easier to just do one period to start with. Once it is established people can follow other leads individually or as sub groups if they wish.

I would imagine getting weapons training would be a major interest with a lot of people. The mock battles that groups do actually have a good bit of practise and training behind them.

I have spoken to Eamon McEneaney in a very preliminary way, and he was very enthusiastic about the idea.

Good groups (people who have the weapons training etc and authentic costumes/ appearance/ behaviour) are picked up as film extras and for displays. I have a contact in another group who would, I think, come and tell us about this.

Dan133269

looksee wrote: »

Good groups (people who have the weapons training etc and authentic costumes/ appearance/ behaviour) are picked up as film extras and for displays.

Ah so that's your end goal. It's all about the $$$$$$! only joking.

looksee

Anyone interested in a bit more information have a look at http://livinghistory.ie/community/index.php

and http://livinghistory.ie/community/index.php

I am currently trying to organise a meeting place (any suggestions for a pub etc in Waterford that would give us space for a meeting? Give being important in that sentence, as against hire) and a couple of experienced re-enactors to talk about what it is all about.

jayboi

If you get back on to the granary again they have a theatre in there,
garter lane do plays in it and I think other people rent it out for talks im sure as they have a vested interest in you doing well that they would accomidate you maybe even help organise and speak at it.

looksee

jayboi wrote: »

If you get back on to the granary again they have a theatre in there,
garter lane do plays in it and I think other people rent it out for talks im sure as they have a vested interest in you doing well that they would accomidate you maybe even help organise and speak at it.

Thats interesting, thanks, I didn't realise they had a theatre.

looksee

Just to add, things are moving on quickly, Jim at Revolution has very kindly offered space for a meeting so I will get out a press release and we will hopefully have an introductory meeting in the next couple of weeks.

Roomic Cube

sounds like a lark

Psychedelic

Fair play looksee, just saw a press release on the front page of the Waterford Today.

Online here if anyone wants to see it:
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=z12KAp040Z8m&PBID=b9a151ef-720a-437e-a92d-eaca4227b150&skip=

Roomic Cube

nice to see it in the paper, also funny to see the pic of leonardo lol!

looksee

Roomic Cube wrote: »

nice to see it in the paper, also funny to see the pic of leonardo lol!

He and Peter Grogan (photographer) were supposed to be credited, but it didn't happen. Delighted it made front page!

Badviking

Brilliant stuff,
A few of us Viking re-enactors came over last year to Waterford to help out with the Harvest Festival - Lovely city.
We aim to come over again in September 2011 for another invasion !!!
Hope to meet up and have the craic !

Bjarni 'Skullsplitter' Olafson of the BloodAxe Vikings !!!

wwwwwwwwaaaagggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Badviking

Badviking

looksee

Thanks for the good wishes Badviking, nice pics, and kit!

Er, I think they are good wishes...

Badviking

OOh ! yes - best wishes - haha, we could possibly -( Me and my Viking Queen ) be in Waterford in the first week of may, who know's we could meet up for a pint, or if you are after anything from http://www.vikingcrafts.co.uk/ - he is not far from me and I see him on a regular basis, can bring stuff overe for you- and save on p+p

Badviking

D'oh - just looked on the site and post is free to Europe !! hehe- mmm his prices have gone up tho a fair bit - I do have seax's, axes and spear heads for sale plus all sorts of leather stuff- this is my facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=275843061126

wellbutty

Great idea I think, anyone ever been to Puy du Fou (one of France's main attractions)? They have maybe 7 major shows per day, "The Vikings" being one of them.

Check out this link, everything that's shown in the animation happens in reality while you're there...fires, boat crashing down the embankment, boats rising from the riverbed with people on them, fighting etc. While not technically accurate, it shows what can be done!

looksee

First meeting of this group is tomorrow Thursday 3rd March at 8pm in Revolution Bar (upstairs). If you are interested but can't make tomorrow you could email waterfordlivinghistory@gmail.com and I will send out information to anyone on the email list.

hellfireie

very interesting meeting last night guys, good turn out too. any useful links that i can look at??

Badviking

Well done Waterford Vikings !!
I have put a little piece about the viking ship on our website - hopefully it will give the town a little boost and create a wider awareness of the most beautiful city in Ireland - apart from Galway - where I'm from -- haha

http://r-a-t-s.webs.com/apps/blog/show/6438143-how-ireland-is-treasuring-its-past-

looksee

Hellfireie - have a look at the facebook page for lots of links - Waterford Viking Reenactment Group

looksee

Since the last posts in March the group has made great progress.

We now have a core of 13 people who have recently been 'sworn in' - they have assembled an authentic Viking costume and have passed the test that qualifies them to do reenactment fighting with metal weapons (as against padded broom handles ).

The non-fighters in the group have shown they have a Viking craft or some other skill to offer the group, and are also kitted out with costume. Another 4 or 5 are due to be sworn in in about 3 weeks time.

The fighters are basically competent to fight with long swords, axes and spears. They are currently learning to use slings and bows. They will continue to practise to develop demonstration battles. Even though they are choreographed they are still dangerous and require protective gloves etc. They wear maille and helms, carry shields and swords and are discovering how fit they need to be as the whole lot is very heavy!

looksee

There will be a lecture by Eamon McEneaney, Director of Waterford Treasures Museum on Thursday 17th (Thursday week) November at 8pm in Revolution Bar, Johns Street. He will talk about the Viking founders of Waterford city, why they came, where they settled and how they lived. All welcome, admission free.

The following week, 24th we will have an open evening when you can come and have a look at what we are at, crafts, kit and fighting demo. Again, all welcome (over 18s), admission free. Also in Revolution, John Street, 8pm.

Thanks Zeidth for the ok to spread the word!