ENTERTAINMENT (Medieval Ireland)

Medieval Ireland features a wide variety of entertainment, professional entertainers, and performers. Most prominent is an array of performing fools. Several early Irish terms exist for these performers. Foremost as a performing fool was the druth. The term is related to the term druid, although the two figures are distinct. The druth offered various kinds of entertainment, most prominently physical and vocal antics best associated with the medieval jester. Impersonating and mocking the congenital fool, also known as druth, was also featured. Several descriptions of the druth include comments suggesting the performing fool was indeed mentally deficient. The professional druth is often described in colorful motley clothing, with long shaggy hair. This semblance was clearly an important part of his trade. According to several Law Tracts, damage to his clothing or hair demanded compensation. A common figure of the saga texts, the druth is most closely associated with royal and other high-ranking members of society. A professional fool was often part of a retinue, receiving both payment and protection from his patron.

A further entertainer of medieval Ireland was the fuirseoire, best described as a jester or buffoon. Like the druth, the fuirseoire is most often connected with the royal court. Likely a paid professional, the fuirseoire entertained through mimicry, contortions, and elements of fright. Judging from descriptions his performance may also have included singing and other vocal antics. In several descriptions he performs to accompanied music. Named alongside the druth and lapdog in a trio expected at a royal banquet, the fuirseoire seems to have been a common professional performer, likely maintained by his employer as part of a retinue.


Several entertainers of medieval Ireland are difficult to identify. The creccaire, attested alongside other performers, seems to have been a type of mummer or perhaps scarifier, eliciting fear from his audience through physical and vocal antics. He is described in one text as making a green branding upon his eyes, possibly referring to a disguise or commonly accepted and recognizable tattoo. The creccaire was clearly not very highly regarded in society and in one text is described receiving a "crooked bone" as his portion at a feast. A further unsavory, although clearly popular, entertainer was the braigetoir. This performer is the early Irish representation of the widespread and apparently popular medieval entertainer the "farter." An early Law Tract offers the clearest, most unequivocal definition, stating that these performers render their craft "out of their backsides."

Beyond various types of fools and jesters, further popular Irish entertainment was performed by magicians, jugglers, featsters, and acrobats. Several entertainers are described as conjuring magic, while others are noted for particularly athletic and acrobatic performances. Juggling was a popular entertainment, often taking place in alehouses. As noted in a Law Tract, jugglers were culpable for damage or injury caused by errant throws. Culpability and compensation for their errors depended on several factors, including the shape of the juggled objects and the distance of the audience from the performance. According to several descriptions, juggling and similar feats were often accompanied by music.

Music was a popular entertainment of medieval Ireland. Expected at assemblies, festivals, and banquets, music played an important role in medieval Irish entertainment. Music was a standard accompaniment to any occasion and an entertainment available to all classes of society. While music was often the result of amateur improvisational sessions, professional musicians held a relatively high status and were well paid, either as retinue to wealthy patrons or as traveling performers. Most prevalent among professional musicians were harpists, timpanists, and pipers. Vocalists also provided entertainment, although lack of mention in the sources suggests performances were largely spontaneous and probably not professional. By the late medieval period, English influence brought about critical change in Ireland’s music tradition. The introduction of sheet music counteracted traditional oral transmission, while classical voice training moved away from the conventional rhythmic, lilting tones, and melodies that continue to characterize Irish music of today.

Various sporting events also provided popular entertainment in medieval Ireland. Field games attracted large audiences, evidenced by legislation providing protection and compensation in case of injury for both participant and spectator. Horse and chariot racing were also popular. Races at seasonal fairs and festivals were often the high point of such gatherings, drawing eager crowds. Presumably to ensure enjoyment and prevent conflict, strict guidelines at the fair at Carman describe bans on arguments, warfare, politics, and judgments while the races were held. Particularly associated with the Liffey Valley, horse racing and breeding in medieval Ireland enjoy a continuum to the present day, reflected in the prominence of Kildare and environs in modern racing.

Next post:

Previous post: