irish military reenactors

Published: Irish Times, September 13 2008

“Salted porridge. Dried meat. Leeks. Goats milk…”

“Anything that doesn’t require refrigeration, basically. Chuck it all in a pot and then boil it up…” It’s hard to say quite which element of historical military re-enactment least appeals to me. It could be the drafty costumes. It could be the public scorn. Then there’s the very real possibility of having my eye taken out by some hyperactive fund manager with a lance. But a new contender has just crept up along the outside rail: the horrific-sounding lunchtimes.

“Oh no, that’s not just your lunch,” laughs John Looney, the founder of re-enactment website LivingHistory.ie. “That has to last you two days – that’s your breakfast dinner and tea!” Read the rest of this entry »

Published: Irish Times, September 13 2008

“SALTED PORRIDGE. DRIED MEAT. LEEKS. GOATS MILK…

“Anything that doesn’t require refrigeration, basically. Chuck it all in a pot and then boil it up…” It’s difficult to identify quite which element of historical military re-enactment least appeals to this squeamish civilian of the 21st century. It could be the drafty costumes or public scorn. Then, of course, there’s the very real possibility of having my eye taken out by some hyperactive fund manager with a lance. But a new contender has snook up along the outside rail: the horrific-sounding lunchtimes.

“Oh no, that’s not just your lunch,” laughs John Looney, the founder of re-enactment website LivingHistory.ie. “That has to last you two days – that’s your breakfast dinner and tea!” Read the rest of this entry »