Sea battles, talks at Norman fest
THE quaint village of Carrig on Bannow will roar to life this weekend with an action packed 1169 Norman Festival.
It was exactly 850 years when the Normans first arrived in Ireland onto the shores of Bannow beach.
To mark the big anniversary of one of the most pivotal moments in Irish history, the village will host battle re-enactments, a living history tented village, historical lectures, a commemorative ceremony and concerts featuring local and French musicians.
Visitors can enjoy an entire Medieval Living History Tented Village with 14 different living history tents which will showcase life some 850 years ago, 15 living heritage craft displays will also be showcased along with a display of Norman cavalry warfare and fully trained warriors will host battle re-enactments twice per day on Saturday and Sunday during the festival weekend.
Warrior training will be on offer for younger visitors with a chance to enjoy archery and a free replica Norman coin will be offered to all children who take part.
A civic ceremony will take place at Bannow Church on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. with officials from New Ross Municipal District in attendance. There will also be historical lectures in the marquee in the village.
On Saturday historian Turtle Bunbury will take to the stage and on Sunday Emmet Stafford will be the guest speaker. Both evenings will conclude with a musical concert marquee at Colfer’s pub.
On Saturday the inaugural performance of a specially commissioned piece of music for the occasion by composer Greg French will be performed by local artists and guests and Normandy based band ‘Strand Hugg’ will headline the concert. Sunday evening’s concert will feature Strand Hugg along with well-known local band Green Road.
Further details on all of the events can be found at www.bannow1169.com. Tickets for the Living History Village are €5 per adult, U18s go free; concert tickets are €15 per person.
Speaking of the festival weekend, one of the organisers John Murphy said: ‘Bannow is a hugely historical location in Irish history. It is pivotal to the ancient heritage of Ireland’s Ancient East and we are looking forward to bringing this history to life over the May bank holiday weekend with professional historical re-enactment groups who will create a fun fully impressive medieval experience for festival-goers.’
The Bannow 1169 Norman Festival takes place as part of a year-long programme of events in Wexford to mark the 850th-anniversary of the arrival of the Normans to Ireland.
Throughout the year historical talks and demonstrations, music concerts, landing re-enactments, workshops, medieval games and a Viking Fire Festival with a Norman twist, are all set to take place in Bannow, New Ross, Wexford town, Ferns and Enniscorthy under the banner ‘The Normans Are Here.’