My latest forays in Viking era Ireland took me on a road of discovery.
Tag: Ireland
10th Century Irish Fashion
I confess. One of the first aspects that attracted me to the Middle Ages was fashion.
Longphorts
When Norse raiders first appeared in Irish waters in the year 837 AD, one can imagine the stir they caused. None could have guessed that their presence would mark a transition to forever change the cultural landscape of Ireland. When we typically think of Vikings, the first images are always that of raiders plundering monasteries….
Authenticating Irish Characters: Irish Surnames in the Middle Ages
One of the first tasks any fiction author sets out to do is to name characters. Creating memorable names helps readers connect to your characters. But believable characters are a challenge all around, and no less so in Historical Fiction. In this genre we’re faced with the added weight of… Historical Authenticity If you’re going…
The Battle of Clontarf Reborn
On Good Friday, April 23, 1014, an epic battle waged near Dublin’s shores. A battle culminating the reign of a man considered by many to be the only true Ard Ri (High King) of Ireland – Brian Boru. This struggle served a bittersweet victory. While King Brian’s forces came out victorious in the end, the…
