In November 1315, the heritage Irish town of Kells was the site of one of the most important battles in Irish history, the Battle of Kells. Scottish Prince Edward Bruce had been proclaimed High King of Ireland earlier that year, and promptly set about decimating English strongholds, eventually facing Ireland’s Lord Lieutenant, Roger Mortimer at Kells. In medieval cinematic-historic terms, we’re talking shortly after Braveheart but long before Robin Hood. Now the town is set to be invaded again when the Battle of Kells Medieval Fayre gets underway at the weekend. Jousting, falconry, lectures, archery, street theatre and living history demonstrations are among the events taking place. There will also be dogs … really big dogs.
Among the highlights will be a demonstration of Medieval cooking and ancient Irish food practices by Irish celebrity Druid Chef Rory Monahan, and a lecture on the battle by academic Gavin Hughes. The Fayre is designed to highlight the importance of historical links between Ireland and Scotland, and of the historical importance of the town of Kells (birthplace of one of the most famous documents in the world, the Book of Kells), a crucial place in the development of Ireland’s Ancient East. It also hosted a precursor to the original Olympic Games. For more information about the weekend’s events, contact Lucy O’Reilly at the Kells Experience.
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