Knight fever! Irish village transformed into medieval battlefield

Knights duel with swords during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

CLAREGALWAY, Ireland (Reuters) - Once the chief fortress of a powerful 15th century family descended from an English knight, the west of Ireland castle of Claregalway went back to its roots on Saturday.

The grounds of the fully restored Anglo-Norman era tower house were transformed into a medieval battlefield as hundreds of enthusiastic visitors, many from around the world, re-enacted full contact combat and games from centuries ago.

Karl Dornan in costume as a Knight and Donna Dornan in costume as a Celtic warrior patrol the great hall of Claregalway Castle during a medieval combat festival in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

"It's a nice weekend away and it's something different," said Denise Fitzgerald from County Kerry, who as the tavern owner for the weekend prepared food for the competitors by frying vegetables off in lard on a campfire.

"For me it's like getting back to basics. I've been trying to do everything properly," said the theater worker, who was taking part in her first armored combat festival.

On the field, fighters dressed head to toe in authentic chain-mail armor battled it out and while their swords may have been blunt, some left with dented helmets and one, a cut lip.

Donna Dornan posing for a photograph in costume as a Celtic warrior patrols the roof of Claregalway Castle during a medieval combat festival in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Others on horseback showed off their skills by slicing cabbages and aubergines in half while on the move. Nearby, metal smelters hammered weapons into shape, spice merchants prepared remedies and tradeswomen spun and dyed wool.

Deadly serious and exquisitely dressed, few dared to break character.

"Anyone can get dressed up but staying in character is an art form, I think," said Helena Stackpoole, who as 'Lady Eleanor Fitzgerald' was putting her fashion design background to unique use.

Karl Dornan in costume of a medieval Knight patrols the roof of Claregalway Castle during a medieval combat festival in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

"All the costumes are hand stitched. I have a belt here that I'm embroidering and it's taken two years so far and the dress that I'm working on at the moment, the sleeves alone have 800 pearls hand sewn into them. I'm a bit serious about this," she said.

(Writing by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Helen Popper)

Karl Dornan in costume as a medieval Knight a patrols the roof of Claregalway Castle during a medieval combat festival in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Karl Dornan in costume as a Knight and Donna Dornan in costume as a Celtic warrior patrol the roof of Claregalway Castle during a medieval combat festival in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

The ruins of Claregalway Friary, a medieval Franciscan abbey is seen during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway Castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Denise Fitzgerald playing a tavern owner gets a fire ready to cook pottage during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway Castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Helena Stackpoole playing Lady Eleanor Fitzgerald teaches her ward how to embroider during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway Castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Helena Stackpoole playing Lady Eleanor Fitzgerald embroiders during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway Castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Helena Stackpoole playing Lady Eleanor Fitzgerald embroiders some 800 pears onto a dress during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway Castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Helena Stackpoole playing Lady Eleanor Fitzgerald teaches her ward how to embroider during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway Castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A woman combs wool to spin during in a medieval combat festival at Claregalway Castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Hand dyed wool is laid out to dry during in a medieval combat festival at Claregalway Castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A pot of pottage is stirred over a fire during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A combat helmet, weapons and body armour are seen resting against a canvas tent during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Andrew O'Donnghaile dressed as an Ottoman warrior prepares to mount horse Bilbo to demonstrate horseback archery skills during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A woman dressed in medieval costume walks with a book during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A woman dressed in medieval costume gathers nettles to make pottage during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A man dressed as an alchemist demonstrates chemical tricks with bottles of liquids during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A man dressed as an Ottoman warrior skewers a cabbage onto posts for riders to demonstrate sword skills during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Gokmen Altinkulp dressed as an Ottoman warrior rides horse Bento to demonstrate sword skills in slicing down vegetables from poles during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Gokmen Altinkulp dressed as an Ottoman warrior rides horse Bento to demonstrate horseback archery skills during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Knights duel with swords during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Knights duel as one hits another in the head with an axe during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Knights duel with swords during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A man in medieval costume looks on during a medieval combat festival at Claregalway castle in Galway, Ireland September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne