Medieval Warriors will invade Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare, on Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1st July ‘07 for what promises to be a Medieval Festival of mayhem and fun. Fighting is expected to be hot and heavy but unlike historic battles of yesteryear there will be no blood spilt.  Battles will be at 12N & 4pm
 
There will also be a treat in store for the younger visitors who will get an opportunity to see the Noel Lambert Puppet Theatre perform “ Dinin & the naughty dog”  in the Folk Park on Saturday 30th  June  and on Sunday the 1St of July  from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm. 
  
The re-enactment event with, over 60 medieval warriors from Ireland, Wales and England, will literally move into the Folk Park grounds, close to the Castle for the weekend. To create a real sense of living conditions at that time the re-enactors will work, cook, eat, fight and sleep on site.
 
A tented medieval encampment is being erected to house the Warriors as would have been the custom. Soldiers who were guarding a castle would have been housed in tents nearby. Just like their medieval counterparts these Warriors won’t have the luxury of modern conveniences, so there will be no showers or electric light.
 
“With medieval battles, a tented medieval village, and with craft workers displaying skills from medieval times, we intend to give visitors an opportunity to step back in time and witness first hand what living conditions were like for people in medieval times”, says John King, Heritage and Tourism Director, Shannon Development.
 
The Fingal Living History Society, wearing traditional armour, will be joined at Bunratty Castle by re-enactors from England and Wales dressed in full fighting costumes.  
 
With over ten years of experience in staging re-enactments, the Fingal Living History group will bring a lot of fun, knowledge and expertise to the spectacle. They enjoy nothing better than interacting with the public to answer any questions they may have about this colourful period in history. The Group has won several awards including Best Living History Display at Battlefest, in Palace Stables, Armagh as well as Best Re-Enactment Display. The medieval festival programme will include regular demonstrations of fighting techniques.  
 
Visitors to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will be given a unique opportunity to step back in time to witness life in a medieval village. The group of re-enactors, dressed in authentic medieval costume, are planning to recreate village life in medieval times, adding colour and spectacle to the festivities.
 
A colourful  Medieval tented village will provide displays including Bone Carving, Leather Work, Children’s Games, Weapons Display, Armour Display , Chain Mail Making, Shield making, Bronze Casting, Coin Making, Finger Braiding, and Wood Work..
 
Tablet weaving, a form of weaving which goes back to approx. 1000 BC., will also be on display. It is typically used to make long narrow trim for clothing or is used to finish the edge of plain-woven cloth.
 
There will also be a Cooking Site where traditional cooking methods will be demonstrated including, bread making and roasting a pig on a spit.
 
The action packed event will take place at Bunratty Castle on Saturday June 30th and Sunday July 1st from 11.00 am until 5.00 pm. Medieval Warriors, in full armour, will demonstrate their fighting skills. In addition to this there will be two main battles at 12 noon and 4.00 pm daily, with smaller battles, and one on one combat throughout the day.
 
The events are open to the public, and will be an addition to the regular visitor attractions at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, there will be no extra charge for these events and family tickets will be available.