One thing that find frustrating about colgaffneyis is that members seem quite happy to repeat generalities about the past (sometimes quite implausible) without checking the historical facts. I have a pretty good BS detector, and it frequently goes off in our camp. Here is a draft of the latest result of this. I will be publishing it in colgaffneyis newsletter. Whether ( Read more... )

Including veterinary medicine: Horse-lover 'gave poteen to his nag'

via Agus Araile.

....originated in the late 19th century. It is not traditional Irish dress. See What is Traditional Irish Dress by kass_rants (Kass McGann), a well known expert on historical clothing. I have checked and confirmed her references on the subject. Also see this letter from Patrick PearseAnd that is why I will not be wearing a kilt to the local Irish Fair (A ( Read more... )

A follow-up to my book note and link about armor I subsequently posted: Galloglaich: History and Equipment. It is part of the Na Degad: Medieval Ireland site.

The Highland Cotun. ( Read more... )

Galloglas: Hebridean and West Highland Mercenary Kindreds in Medieval Ireland, by John Marsden. ( Read more... )

Bog Man

Irish village gets its 'harlot' back.

Via Agus Araile.

St. Patrick is the Patron Saint of Engineers because ( Read more... )

mia_mcdavid and her mother are in the northern Chicago suburbs, staying with a family friend. They fly to Dublin tonight.

I got J up and off to school yesterday and today, without too much whining on his part.

Last night I started a sewing project for my colgaffneyis kit. I had been procrastinating about it for months. Not a big job, but the fitting is fussy ( Read more... )