12 June 2006
FUN AND FIGHTS AT HILLSBOROUGH
1000 years of warfare will be brought to life in Hillsborough this Saturday, 17 June.
The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) has brought historical re-enactors to stage a free event 'Military Mayhem' at Hillsborough Fort.
EHS Built Heritage Educator, Ivan Minnis encouraged everyone to bring a picnic and enjoy a fun, free day for all the family in Hillsborough. He said, "The day gets off at a gallop with medieval jousting at 11am followed by demonstrations of archery and medieval foot combat. At 12.45pm the event fast forwards to the 17th century with cannon and musket teams in action before crossing continents to the American Civil War. The 20th century will be re-enacted by British, German and U.S. soldiers from the First and Second World Wars. Demonstrations by each of the groups will continue throughout the afternoon until 5.30pm with ample time to chat to the combatants in their camps.
"Military Mayhem will give the public a rare opportunity to see jousting, foot combat, archery, cannon's and muskets up close and in action. It will be amazing to have all these different fighting eras on display at the one time. It is a fun way to learn about the past'
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Military Mayhem is part of the EHS Archaeology Days Events taking place throughout Northern Ireland this weekend.
Free programmes of events are available from libraries and Tourist Information Centres throughout Northern Ireland. Archaeology Days information is also available on our website www.ehsni.gov.uk
This is the third year that Northern Ireland has provided archaeological events throughout the country. This event is supported by the Council of British Archaeology (CBA) who has been sponsoring a National Archaeology Days, this year on 15th - 23rd July in England and Wales. Scotland hosts Archaeology Day in September.
The following are some of the events taking place in other areas:
Belfast: Make your own prehistoric pottery, Ulster Museum. Tours of Edenderry village.
Co. Antrim: Lisburn Castle Gardens, Tours of the town and walls and at Carrickfergus and also a fencing competition at Carrickfergus Castle.
Co. Armagh: Tour of historic monuments in South Armagh, Navan Centre and Fort.
Co. Down: Tour of early medieval churches in Down.
Co. Fermanagh: Storytelling on Devinish Island. Guided tours of Tully and Monea Castles.
Co. Londonderry: Tours of the 17th-century plantation bawn. Tours of Historic Sites of the North West.
Co. Tyrone: An Creagan - Bronze age Symposium.
For further information please contact DOE Press Office Tel: 028 9054 0003.
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