In all of the Irish legends I've read, be they the Ulster or Ossianic cycles, Four Masters, Invasion etc - I don't recall any mention of archery as a facet of waging war. I'm guessing this had something perhaps to do with the heroic emphasis on hand to hand, face to face combat. Perhaps the bow and arrow was considered an unmanly weapon. But no mention at all? It seems odd that such a warlike people would eschew the use of such an effective weapon. Also, there are many references to javelins and such, so the face-to-face argument doesn't seem to hold.

Does anybody know anything about archery in ancient Ireland? Or in pre or sub-Roman Britain? Or even Gaul for that matter.

PS

And this is not related, but if anyone has any links to any galleries featuring illustrations of Celtic warriors - Irish, British, Gaulish, Galatian etc - I'd appreciate it if you could post it up. Thanks.

I love this site.

Hi Victor.........Gee, finding any info on almost anything useful to us all on Irish gear is harder that finding a Leprechaun's picnic........I have this Deremilitari article here by Andrew Halpin... " Military Archery in Medieval Ireland " http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/pdfs/halpin.pdf ...but it also mentions the earlier periods. From what Ive read, you cant go too wrong with slightly later gear as things didnt change so dramatically in Ireland over a fair period, like it did elsewhere. I presume you seen Na Degad ?... http://www.geocities.com/na_degad/ Thank goodness for Niall Murrays site...if it werent for his site , I dont think there would be any info. at all ! Apparently its similar with earlier Scottish / Pictish info.......not much seems to have been written down. Either that or its all buried in some Library or Museum bookshelf somewhere ! Anyone else got anything ? Irish archery, darts, spears, clubs, leprachaun-throwing ? Anything ? :eek:

Fantastic - thank you so much! I'm not familiar with either of those sites.