llamh
Conchobar Clarsair (pronounced "Olov Conor Clarsheer" - the name means "Master
Conor the harper") is an Irish musician and artist. He is from
Baile an Doire Crannog in Clonlonan in Mide in the center of Eire.
In the time of Conchobar's persona - 1150 AD, according to the monks,
Baile an Doire means "the hold of the oaks" (modernly spelled Ballinderry).
It is right off the "Eiscir Riada" - "the riding ridge", which is the
main east-west track between Dublin and Galway. Nearby are the monastic
community of Clonmacnoise, where the great
bridge across the River Shannon is; and the Hill of Uisneach, where
the twin Beltaine fires were lit every year. In the 1200's, the Anglo-Norman
invaders would build a "motte and bailey" castle, after which the adjacent
town of Moate (2 miles from Baile an Doire) is named.
onchobar
is a member of both the Order of the Laurel and the Order of the Pelican. His current projects are to build an Irish "round
house" as a tent, and to make a replica of the Ballinderry Harp.
He composes many of the harp pieces he
plays, and also plays many period pieces. Here's Conchobar's Laurel ceremony, "SCA
resumé" and some recent projects.
oth Ollamh Conchobar and his lady, Banbharún Líadan inghean uí Séaghdha
are dedicated to the preservation of the Old Ways of their Irish ancestors. They have been members of the SCA for 24 years.
Their interests include beading , brewing, costuming, music, jewelry
making, leatherworking, weaving, glass beadmaking, woodworking and
various other Arts and Crafts. They live in the Barony
of Three Mountains in An Tir,
where the weather is remarkably like that of their native Ireland,
and the name of the kingdom is familiar, since it means "The Land" in
Irish. They are members of the royal house of Ulfredsheim,
who are some of the greatest folks in the Knowne World, besides being
a total blast to camp with.
Per fess enarched Sable and Verte,
two flames and a harp Or
This represents the Hill of Uisneach with the Beltaine fires
and of course, the clairseach, the ancient Irish harp
Bob Woods has been a computer artist for over 20 years, has had several pieces of art in national magazines and many galleries, and is a commercial web designer. He is the webmaster here at currentmiddleages.org, and has a background in publishing, photography and woodworking. He and his wife, Sam Murphy, have travelled to Ireland and England for vacation (otherwise known as persona research). His ancestors are from County Westmeath in Ireland, where Ballinderry Crannog and the Hill of Uisneach are located, and her father was born in Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland.