Claidheamh Soluis - Claíomh's 1916 & Irish War of Independence Project
Recreating Easter Week 1916 & War Of Independence for the classroom, museums and the media. Irish Volunteer & Irish Citizen Army specialist intepreters. Claidheamh Soluis is a living history and educational group specialising in the era of Ireland during the early 20th century Gaelic revival and of Irish insurrection mainly focusing at present on the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army.
Claidheamh Soluis ('Sword of Light') is named after 'An Claidheamh Soluis' the newspaper of Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League) whose most notable editor was P. H. Pearse.
The Claidheamh Soluis project is managed under the auspices of well known Irish medieval and early modern interpretive group Claíomh - please see https://www.facebook.com/ClaiomhLivingHistory for more info on the latter.
Like Claíomh itself Claidheamh Soluis is a self funded venture with funds raised constantly being reinvested into research and to keep and maintain the highest standards of reproduction uniforms, weaponry and everyday items possible.
Enquiries from researchers, media production companies, educationalists and other interested parties are welcome
Claidheamh Soluis ('Sword of Light') is named after 'An Claidheamh Soluis' the newspaper of Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League) whose most notable editor was P. H. Pearse.
The Claidheamh Soluis project is managed under the auspices of well known Irish medieval and early modern interpretive group Claíomh - please see https://www.facebook.com/ClaiomhLivingHistory for more info on the latter.
Like Claíomh itself Claidheamh Soluis is a self funded venture with funds raised constantly being reinvested into research and to keep and maintain the highest standards of reproduction uniforms, weaponry and everyday items possible.
Enquiries from researchers, media production companies, educationalists and other interested parties are welcome
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Claíomh Irish Volunteer gear guide:
Fitness: the first thing to look to is your own frame. And not exclusively in the interests of health and safety – although that is as important a reason as any. Imagine you are a casting director with the responsibility for the look of a production with regard to actors and extras on a period piece. We need to make sure that we fit the bill so that we are the best possible 'clothes horses' for our well researched, tailored and painstakingly assembled portrayals. A film extra worth his salt does not stick out in the background for the wrong reasons. This same truth goes for any living history portrayal and with the Irish War of Independence era in mind applies to every interpretation - but especially uniformed roles - whether British soldier, Irish Volunteer, Cumann na mBan, RIC/DMP etc. To be succinct: wear the uniform with pride by keeping fit and lean. With a few rare exceptions obesity as we know it is a modern phenomenon. Consider yourself the living embodiment of a golden generation of men and women in our nation's history. It is a great honour to emulate their footsteps and so you must do your utmost to look the part. Members of the general public looking on, quite rightfully, expect a certain amount of self respect in those who have the privilege to visually lead the line at commemorations and in media work - so step up to the mark, scorn the symptoms of soft living by eating reasonably well and keeping some kind of exercise routine that works for you - what better motivator to keep in shape! Hat: both felt wool 'cronje' and peaked hat should be ideally owned by each member but like our forebears having either is ample as often was the case. The brass I'V badge must be at least partially blackened in accordance with the October 1915 directives. Officers to either wear the silver version of the cap badge or a completely blackened version. Both the uncrowned harp and the Dubllin Brigade badges are acceptable. From 1917 onwards the nationalised 'Óglaigh na hÉireann' badge may be employed. Regional badges may be worn only in appropriate circumstances. Tunic: both types (officer or volunteer) should be of serge or cavalry twill wool. Proper serge tunics and material can be difficult to source in the right shades, so if this is not possible, then tabby weave wool or 2-2 twill wool versions will suffice. Main shade can be a mid green with hues of olive, greyish green and sage all being acceptable and in line with extant tunics. Generally the shade was less green and a little greyer than the modern Irish Army dress tunic. Most currently commercially available tunics need the cuffs and epaulettes to be darkened from billiard green to the darker bottle green which we most typically see on originals. Tunic buttons must be old Irish Army squat harp types. Modern Irish Army harp and 'stay brite' buttons are not permitted. Buttons to be darkened as per the October 1915 directives. All ranks can wear the EM version of the tunic up to and including captain. As an alternative, lieutenants, captains and commandants may all wear the open blouse officer version with appropriate rank insignia to the cuffs. Bandolier: All men bearing a rifle must have a suitable period bandolier. Both 1903 and 1882 versions in brown leather are acceptable. Regarding the 1903 pattern bandolier originals are widely available at reasonable rates in antique stores or online and thus in Claíomh only originals are acceptable. Preferably all 1903 bandoliers, where dated with a makers mark, will be dated 1916 or earlier. Good quality replicas of the 1882 version may be used in lieu of an original. Volunteer belt: thoroughly researched high quality replicas are available within the group. These are modelled stitch for stitch upon originals in the collection at the National Museum of Ireland. They are produced in leather with Irish Volunteer harp two-part belt buckle with the legend 'Óglaigh na hÉireann' in relief. Shade of brown can be any shade from mid chestnut brown to a very dark walnut brown. Original Sam Brownes in brown leather with a single diagonal cross strap may be used by Irish Volunteers in lieu of an actual Irish Volunteer belt. Trousers: trousers or breeches may be made of the same cloth, or similar material, as the tunic. Corduroy is also acceptable but ensure that they are in period style and that there are no modern features with regard to jeans style pockets. Both straight cut and jodhpur styles are acceptable. Boots: workmen’s boot/military pattern ankle boots with leather uppers and soles. Soles can be furnished with or without hobnails, heel plates and/or toe plates. Laces should be of leather or other natural material and, of course, without plastic coated terminals. Colour-wise light to mid to dark brown or black are all acceptable. Undershirt: can be of wool, linen or cotton in preferably subdued shades of yellow, brown, grey or green. Collar, where present, can be attached or be of the starched detachable variety. Both pointed or rounded turned down style. Gaiters or puttees: puttees can be green, khaki, grey or blue - all these colours are represented in surviving examples. As an alternative, leather gaiters may be employed - more commonly employed by officers c.1914-16. After 1916 gaiters are seen in more widespread use throughout all ranks with IRA/Flying Column units. Bag: 'haversacks' as they were known at the time are to be of canvas and worn at the hip suspended by a strap over one shoulder. The canvas material was most usually white or off-white, and should be dirtied down for field use as per originals. Fastening should be a single button in wood, pressed leather or metal. Neck-tie: worn with the open bloused officer tunic. Must be of wool and be plain or in simple herringbone pattern or similar. Greens, khakis and browns are acceptable. For those wearing the closed collar tunic, but without a collared shirt underneath, a neck-stock of off white linen makes a nice addition to the look and prevents chafing of the neck from the serge wool collar. |