An event is usually a themed weekend with a selection of typical SCA activities. There are regularly held events in the Clara Scout Den, Co. Offaly and some events held in Clonbur near Cong. There is often crash space (an indoor space to lay your sleeping bag on the floor) or bunk beds.  Our events, unless otherwise specified, are usually in garb (costumed) and we use our "Medieval" names and personas.  We try to make things as Medieval as possible and plan lots of activities throughout the event, that go with the theme of the event.  Themes can be activity-based (a specific combat tournament, or teaching classes) or concept-based (Love theme for valentine's day, Halloween-theme in October etc.).

Events last for a day or a weekend.  If it is just for a day it is often described as a "Revel". Weekend events typically start on a Friday evening with a small meal and some activities like games (chess, backgammon, gluckhaus, cards and dice etc) before bed.  Saturday starts with breakfast and then morning activities before Lunch, followed by afternoon activities.  Saturday evening will often consist of whatever Royalty is present holding an official "Court", followed by a Feast/Banquet and then whatever fun evening activities have been arranged.  Sunday usually starts with breakfast followed by any planned or ad hoc activities people want to do before the event ends. Everyone then lends a hand to cleaning up the venue before everyone leaves.

The society places a lot of emphasis on courtesy and service.  We encourage the use of old-fashioned titles when addressing people, and expect everyone to help out if someone needs a hand with anything.  Service is often seen when people pitch in to help clean the kitchen that the cooking team has just spent hours in, or helping people to load/unload vehicles upon arrival and departure.

In our events and practices page you will find upcoming events.

What is covered by the event fee?

The fee mentioned on each event page covers the whole weekend or the daytrip, including accommodation, food (breakfast, lunch and feast) and site costs. You are free to bring your own snacks or treats and definitely bring your own drinks, especially alchohol. When booking you will be asked certain questions - like whether you have any food allergies or dietary requirements.  The cooks like to make sure everyone is fed. You will also be asked things like whether you require any loaner gear or in what capacity you would like to volunteer to help.

A word of caution — do please book in advance if you do decide to try an event. We need to know you're coming to make sure there's room and food and to make sure the regulars know to keep an eye out for new people. We also need to make sure that you get insurance coverage for the event as members have that automatically.

What do I need to bring?

Examine the event page information carefully.  Usually it will let you know if you need to bring any extra/all bedding.  Make sure you bring what you need to ensure your own comfort.  Members also bring "Feast Gear": tableware that fits in with the look and feel of medieval tableware, so wooden, pottery or pewter style dishes, goblets/tankards and cutlery, taking care to cover modern bottles and cans. We can loan you a set of tableware (feast gear) for your first event. It will be your responsibility for the weekend, you wash and dry it after each meal, each person taking care of their own setting. Then simply return it to the same person before you leave.

Medieval clothes — we all wear them and, as each event is about participation and not just looking on, you will need to too. It's surprising how fast you feel totally at home in medieval clothes when everyone around you is too, and it really does help with the experience. If you don't have your own, we can organise loaner garb (the name for the medieval clothes we wear) for new people: just let us know sizes and preferred gender presentation when you book. If you want to bring along your own garb, we will be super impressed! There are lots of online resources, patterns and advice.  When it comes to footwear, go with comfort, but try to reduce the modern look, so shoes rather than trainers.  If you tend to feel cold, bring plain clothes that you can build up and wear under garb.

If you already have crafts that you are into, or want to try and have the materials with you - then bring them along and geek out with the rest of us!  We are always excited to talk Arts and Sciences especially with someone who might have a new perspective.

What should I expect?

A very social bunch of people, some loud, some quiet.  A safe space where you can be your authentic self, however that presents.  A place where discrimination and bigotry is not tolerated.  We want to recreate the old days in the way they should have been, not as they actually were.  Anyone regardless of gender expression can participate in any of our activities.  The rules we have surrounding our activities mainly deal with physical safety, otherwise anyone can take part.  You can read our inclusivity statement and code of conduct here

Combat
Our combat activities are divided into 3 main areas and you will probably see one or other of them at every event you attend.  Fencing uses a safety mask and rigid bladed swords that are blunted and tipped for safety.  Fencers have to wear gloves and a fencing jacket that passes the punch test.  They also need to wear groin and throat protection.  Armoured combat involves using full force, full contact and full speed, so for safety reasons it uses rattan weapons instead of steel and all participants have to be armoured.  This involves a full coverage helm and throat protection, groin, shoulder, elbow, hand and kidney protection.  Many members also protect other areas that may get hit.  Both types of combat have Marshals supervising, but it is honour based and you are expected to acknowledge when you have been bested.  You cannot participate in tournaments without first being trained and then being tested and fully authorised.  There are also age restrictions in place.

The third type of combat activity is Archery and Thrown Weapons.  This usually takes the form of Target Archery and children can participate in this under parental supervision. The usual protection applies in this case: finger tabs, forearm guards and chest guards.

Classes and A&S Activities
Most events will include some form of Arts and Crafts whether it is in the form of classes or simple activities.  Classes are usually practical affairs taking an hour or so of a demo or talk on a specific craft, science or artform that was done in the Middle Ages.  These classes are usually advertised on the schedule before the event and unless the teacher has specified a fixed number (in which case there are usually signup opportunities), anyone can attend if they wish. A&S activities are usually non-taught affairs like poetry, music, dancing or singing, but can also be making things or decorating things.  We very much encourage the Bardic arts and love to be entertained.

Events can sometimes be overwhelming to the senses, so if you are someone who struggles with sensory overload, make sure you bring what aid you need to help you.  There are usually quiet spaces that can be found for someone who needs to decompress for a while.

Lots of Food!

Our events feature a myriad of varied and delicious Medieval food.  This is because we have a lot of members whose interest lies in the research and reproduction of the food that was eaten pre 1600CE.  Some of it comes from actual recipe books that have survived, and others are based on delving through archaeological reports and documentation relating to what was found in middens and what was known to have been imported into the country.  The cooks need someone to experiment on and that is where the rest of us gladly come in.

Your fee for an event covers not just the hire of the venue, but also the food that comes with it.  A day event usually features at least one large meal.  A full weekend event start with the Friday evening meal known as "Traveller's Fare" which mimics the meal that a traveller would typically have in an inn when arriving in the evening. Saturday includes breakfast, Lunch and the evening banquet or Feast. Sunday includes breakfast.

Food at events is often themed - you might get dishes from a single source recipe book, or from a specific culture such as Middle Eastern.  What is certain is that you will eat well and learn that our ancestor's tastes were not that dissimilar to ours.  The cooks will also try to cater as much as possible for food allergies and dietary requirements (vegan etc.) so it is important that you list only those when booking, and not likes/dislikes.  When we say Feast, we mean it.  Think multiple courses consisting of several separate dishes!

So you are now familiar with the concept of an event that provides all food – you show up, you get fed! Easy!

But what do you do when an event is advertised as being “Potluck”?

A Potluck is typically a day-event when everyone attending brings a dish or an assortment of small dishes that would be enough to feed between 4 to 6 people. This does not have to be something big and elaborate either. The idea is that if everyone does this, there will be a sumptuous enough of a meal to amply feed everyone, but without anyone having to make a big financial investment.

So what should you bring?

Suggestions for the complete newcomer, or person who doesn't cook:

• • • A large loaf of Tiger Bread/Sourdough/Stone Cobb etc and a small selection of cured meats and cheese
    • A whole Rotisserie chicken from the hot counter at a Tesco or other place where you can buy this.
    • Grapes, pre-made applie pie, selection of scones
    • Pots of Olives, sun-dried tomatoes, Feta Cheese and a bag of mixed-leaf salad
    • Soda/wheaten bread, smoked salmon
    • Cartons of Soup and some small rolls

Suggestions for people who like to cook:

• • • • A Big bowl of roasted vegetables in olive oil
      • A pot of Stew/Goulash/similar one-pot meal
      • Home-made chunky vegetable soup
      • A casserole of meat or vegetables or both
      • A large meat or vegetable Pie
      • An amount of smaller individual pies
      • A cheesecake
      • A rice salad
      • A risotto
      • A fancy porridge/frumenty
      • A quiche
      • Courgette/pumpkin/molasses/banana bread or pound cake
      • Fruit loaf or Fruit Cake
      • Gingerbread
      • Sausage stews or other easily cooked/prepped recipe
      • Boiled eggs with dips, or devilled eggs with various fillings
      • Pancakes sweet or savoury

There are many more that could be listed and I am sure your imagination will have an idea now of the sort of thing we mean. Those who wish to be particularly authentic can look up actual Medieval recipes to make, or perhaps avoid tomatoes and potatoes (possibly known just before 1600CE) or chocolate (18th century). But nobody is going to complain if those appear on the table!!

If you have any food allergies or dietary requirements then we recommend that you cater to your specific needs.

More information you may like to read:
What is the SCA?
What is Court?