Muirenn inghean Uí Cléirigh

Muirenn inghean Uí Cléirigh Adiantum, Summits, An Tir

• (Modernly Katie Kelm growwildmychild@gmail.com)
• 11h C. Irish from Connacht
• Titles: Bantierna (HL), Apprentice of Raven Qara Ton, Sergeant of Adiantum
• Awards: See Order of Precedence for Muirenn

Story

Muirenn began attending events in Adiantum in 2022 with her family and they quickly realized they were home and became members. They were first welcomed into the house of Rose and Thistle and by Dame Johanna and spent the first year becoming very active in the archery and thrown weapons community together. Muirenn connected with the A&S people at their meet-ups and began to help with the painting of charters. By the end of the first year she had sewn her family's garb and they attended every event they could. Muirenn is continuing to learn and grow in the crafts as an apprentice of Magistra Raven Qara Ton of Adiantum. She and her husband, Eoghan, attend most council meetings to find out how they could continue to deep dive into serving the Barony of Adiantum. They are now part of the household of Sverre Torkillson after Eoghan became his squire. The family has been active at fighter practices, helping to organize socials and potlucks there. Muirenn has helped make and serve many meals both in camp and for events, competed often in A&S, taught many classes, set up many pavilions, assisted with many demos, and given largess as able. Her passion is art, especially making and using period pigments, but she’s also worked in papermaking, dyeing, hat weaving, bone carving, leatherworking, naalbinding, crocheting, sewing, baking, cooking, tanning, parchmenting, gardening, foraging, weaving, herbalism, raising livestock, spinning, toolmaking, embroidery, and more.

Heraldry

Vert semy of mushrooms, on a fess engrailed argent a cedar tree proper between two foxgloves purpure slipped and leaved vert

Persona

I’m Muirenn inghean Uí Cléirigh, born in 990 in Connacht in what is now as Ireland. It is a beautiful place, with temperate northern climate, though the Romans count it too cold. From my home I can see rolling hills covered in grasses for our cattle, craggy cliffs, patches of forests and streams beyond the lake that our crannog (artificial island home) is on. I was born in a neighboring clan to the south, and married Eoghan and we now have two children, Finn (named from the legendary Fionn Mac Cumhaill) and Amano Kikumatsu. Eoghan inherited this family home and we work to keep it comfortable. There are no large villages near us, but we have heard of the Viking settlement of Baile Átha Cliath (“town of the hurdled ford”, later renamed Dublin) from traders where the norse were recently driven out by Brian Boru at his death. It used to be called Eblana (140 AD), and Dubh Linn (black pool) by the monks at the monastery built there. But the Norse were not seen as often on our side of the island, at least not near our clan.

Our daily routine is very seasonal, but always includes tending to the cattle, some sheep, quail, and dogs, and our little kitchen garden. The calves come in the spring and we get milk from the cows. Sometimes we will hunt for geese or ptarmigan or fish from the river for salmon, and often we visit the hedges for blackberries, elderberries, hazelnuts or sloe in season. This is also where we would find most of our medicine. In the winter we have more time for making and mending clothing as well as music and games. Finn is teaching us neftafl, a viking game that he learned from the traders. We wear léine and brats, with shoes from our cattle’s hides. I wear my hair braided with a headband. I’ve heard of more prominent women wearing gold spheres at the ends of their braids and torcs around their necks. If I find time, I gather local pigments from ochres, woad, oak galls, buckthorn berries and cudbear lichen to sell to the monks at the monastery for their paints and inks. While we are literate, all of our traditions and stories are oral, we value knowledge and I love the intricate, interwoven designs the stories create. It reminds me of the way we weave bog reeds into baskets and hats. During this time, cattle are our main source of currency, though we see coins and jewelry from other lands from the traders. Brehon law is in effect, but we mostly rely on our old ways. My husband and I work together, both of us are free. Women have a good amount of freedom overall. We are inspired by the women of our stories, Brighid, the Morrighan, and even Maebh who went to battle against Cu Chulainn. Our battles are usually smaller cattle raids today. Our fighters wear flexible clothing and fight with axes and slings. Our closest leader is Tag in Eich Gil, and Pope John XIX is leading the Christian Church, though we only hear of him at Cong Abbey where Saint Feichin built the church a few generations ago. When I was young, Munster raiders burned that place down, but the High King of Ireland, Turlough More Ua Connor refounded it. It’s currently being established as an Augustinian settlement. My goals in life include being able to feed our family well and see our children’s children. And bask in every celebration such as hand fastings, seasonal festivals, and new births!

Categorical Resume

Event Service

• Midwinters 2026 - assist set up, tear down, tea station, and feast serving
• Amergin’s 2025 (Adiantum) - Steward (in progress)
• An Tir-West War 2025 (Tymberhaven) - served as on-site scribe to Their Royal Majesties
• June Investiture, 2025 (Myrtleholt) - site set up and scribal assist
• Egil’s Tourney 2025 (Adiantum): in addition to set up, I hosted a weekend-long period painting project, served as Principality and Baronial scribe on site, and helped with site tear down.
• Tain Bo 2025 (Glyn Dwfn) Scribe on site assisting Principality and Kingdom court coordinators
• Bar Gamels 2025 (Terra Pomaria) Kitchen Lunch Lead
• Baronial Birthday Bash 2025 (Adiantum) Steward with Katherine of the Lakes and Bohemond
• Midwinters Feast 2025 (Adiantum) -set up crew, organized A&S competition
• Bead drive for Siletz Confederation Indigenous beading community (2024)
• Amergins 2024 (Adiantum) - set up crew
• Camp cook for household (lead and assist) - 2024-present
• Fast and Loose Tourney 2024 (Adiantum) - General steward assist and tear down
• Bar Gamels 2024 (Terra Pomaria) - Kitchen assistance
• Birthday Bash 2024 (Adiantum) - Set up, tear down, hosted door prizes, organized volunteers, organized bardic circle.
• Adiantum Birthday Bash 2024 Site clean up day for event prep
• An Tir-West War 2023 (Tymberhaven) Assist with An Tir Family Activities
• Bar Gamels 2023 -Kitchen assistance
• Baronial Birthday Bash 2023 (Adiantum) - set up and tear down, staffed scribal table
• Twelfth Night 2023 (Adiantum) - Site set up and tear down
• Adiantum Yule 2022 - Organized youth activities
• Egil’s Tourney 2022-present (Adiantum) - Site prep, set up

Competitions

• Alpine Festival of the Arts (2025) - entry: ochres, painting on metal, and pigment binders
• Briaroak Arts & Sciences Championship (2025) - won with wool nälbinding
• Adiantum Bardic Championship (2024) - entry of bouzouki with singing and Irish whistle
• Alpine Festival of the Arts 2024 (Corvaria)- side competition; entry: molded, home-churned butter
• Egil’s 2023 (Adiantum) - won Three Pillars Competition Overall; competed in archery, thrown weapons, voyage cooking, largess (won), decorated useful object (won), and scribal (won).
• Long and Short of It Tourney 2023 (Terra Pomaria) - won Arts & Sciences Baroness’ Choice with cone incense.
• Martinmas 2022 (Terra Pomaria) - won bread baking competition (homegrown wheat and herbs, wild caught yeast, sourdough)
• Long and Short of It Tourney 2022 (Terra Pomaria) - won stationary illumination competition

Displays

• Midwinters 2026 - Natural pigments
• Amergin’s 2024 - Displayed and discussed natural paint making processes and similarities between European and Pacific Northwest pigment sources
• Fairy Portals 2024 - Demonstrated historic paint- making techniques and invited visitors to Egil’s Tourney
• March Coronet 2024 (Tymberhaven) displays: Bone Comb carving, natural pigments
• Twelfth Night 2023 (Adiantum)- Natural Pigment Display Table

Demos

• Tymberhaven Birthday Bash 2026
• Lane County Fair SCA Demo 2023-2025: showcasing natural paint or flax processes
• Children’s Legacy Foundation Demo 2025
• Art in the Park Demo 2018, 2023-2024
• OakLea Middle School Demo 2024
• Creswell Movie in the Park Demo 2024
• Flash Demo at Island Park 2023

Retinue

• Attendant for Baron Brynjarr and Baroness Isis of Adiantum - 2023-present
• Baronial Scribe Baron Brynjarr and Baroness Isis of Adiantum - 2023-present
• Reign Scribe for Legati Rufus and Livia of the Summits - 2025
• Attendant for Legata Livia of the Summits - 2025
• Attendant for Crown Princess Ana de la Sara of An Tir - 2025
• Scribal team for King Nicolai and Queen Ana of An Tir - 2025
• Scribal team for Princes Amalric and Z of the Summits - 2024
• Attendant for Prince Z of the Summits - 2024
• Attendant for Princess Mina of the Summits - 2024, 2025
• Scribal team for Prince Ivan and Princess Mina of the Summits - 2024
• Attendant for Prince Eduardo of the Summits - 2024
• Scribal team for Princes Finn and Eduardo of the Summits - 2024
• Scribal team for Prince Weylon and Princess Lindis of the Summits - 2022

Offices & Roles

• Thrown Weapons Junior Marshal 2023-2024
• Baronial Scribe - 2023-present
• Volunteer Coordinator - Egil’s Tourney 2024
• Arts & Sciences Champion of Adiantum - 2024-2025
• Student to Magistra Raven Qara ton - May 2024-October 2025
• Apprentice to Magistra Raven Qara ton - October 2025-present
• Birthday Bash Event Steward - 2025
• Sergeant of Adiantum - 2025
• Sponsor Sergeant for Sergeant candidate Kaisa Turkuinen - March 2025 - March 2026
• Arts & Sciences Champion of Briaroak - February 2025-February 2026
• Amergin’s Event Steward - 2025
• Reign Scribe for Legati Rufus and Livia - April 2025 to December 2025

Classes Taught

• Assisted Eoghan with YAC sword making - January 2026
• “Stones and Bones: Intro to Pigment Foraging” Online Sunday Night with the Scribes - January 2026
• "History of Natural Pigments” class - Eugene Public Library - January 2025, Adiantum
• ”Introduction to Scribal and Color Theory” class - 2024, 2025, Adiantum
• ”Foraging Tea Walk” - Egil’'s Tourney 2023, 2024, Adiantum
• ”Stones and Bone” pigments class - 2024-present Summits and Known World Color Symposium
• “Foraging Natural Pigments” -2024 Known World Color Symposium
• ”Pacific Northwest Counterparts to Historic Pigments” class - June Investiture 2024, Coeur du Val
• "Pigment Playdate” class" - foraging and concocting medieval paints at Dorris Ranch - June 2024, Adiantum
• “Natural Pigment Day Camp” four- day youth camp in Roseburg, OR - 2024, Briaroak
• “Earth Pigments” at Eugene Geology Camp - July 2024, Adiantum
• “Oak Gall Ink” class - August 2024, Adiantum
• ”Fixing Scribal Mistakes” class October 2024, Adiantum
• “Natural, Historical Pigments” classes - 2023- present, including City of Eugene Parks and Recreation, and multiple events throughout the Summits

Gatherings

• Period Painting Tent classes/demonstrations at Egil’s Tourney 2025, Adiantum - demonstrated and instructed participants in the full process of medieval painting, from parchment and canvas making, foraging pigments, making paints and using them.
• Organized Youth Feast for our May potluck: the kids cooked all the food! - 2025, Adiantum
• Scribal gatherings - nearly monthly: 2023-present at many locations including our home.
• Bardic gatherings - nearly monthly: 2023-present at many locations including our home.
• Apple Cider Pressing Party - our home, annually - 2017-present
• Host seasonal over-fire cookouts at our home - 2022-present
• Host Scribal table weekly at Adiantum fighter practices - 2024-present
• Co-host monthly potluck at Adiantum fighter practices - 2024- present
• Created “Award Spotlights” on Facebook to inform populace of Adiantum Baronial Awards and encourage award recommendations - 2023-2024
• ”Favorite Things” party at our home - 2024
• Historic Paints demo at Kalapuya Books in Cottage Grove, OR - August 2024 and September 2024

Large Batch Largess

• Coordinated and created art for an artist-signed calender of original artwork for auction to raise travel funds for their incoming Majesties at Coronation - January 2025 (project began March, 2024)
• Sewed and crocheted hats and donated cups for Principality of the Summits newcomers - 2023-present
• Historical Pigment Basket for Auction to raise travel funds for their Highnesses - 2025 (Twelfth Night, Adiantum)
• Made site tokens (beaded bells) for Baronial Birthday Bash 2024 (Adiantum)
• Made site tokens (proverb scrolls) for Baronial Birthday Bash 2024 (Adiantum)
• Made and donated various volunteer prizes for Egil’s Tourney 2024 (Adiantum)
• Crocheted Mushrooms (8), given to enter spring coronet 2024 (Tymberhaven)
• Sewed bunny stuffed animals - Three Pillars Competition, Egils 2023 (Adiantum)
• Dried garden herbs in hand-painted jars - baronial largess 2022 (Adiantum)

Art and Sciences

• In progress: elk hide leather, wild clay urn, vine hair catches, research paper
• Painted 3 shields for Eoghan - 2023-2025
• Tested period paint binders on plate metal for the fighting community - 2024-2025
• Made War Giardiniera (pickled veggies) - large batches for An Tir-West War - 2024-2025
• Made period paint brushes from a squirrel hide I collected - 2024-2025
• Made parchment from the skin of a sheep I raised for Viscount Antoine’s knighting scroll - 2024-2025
• Painted Xenophon’s shield boss and linen-wrapped shield with period natural pigments and binders - 2024-2025
• Calligraphed in imitation gold on wood for Baroness Millisandria’s Pelican scroll - 2025
• Designed, calligraphed and illuminated MOD Scroll for Alejandro using late period techniques - 2025
• Designed, calligraphed, and illuminated Order of the Grey Goose Shaft scrolls for Mungke and Iulliana - May, 2025
• Designed, calligraphed and/or painted countless (over a hundred) charters and original scrolls - 2022- present
• Made a woodburned spear shaft as a prize at Egil’s Tourney - 2024
• Assisted in painting “Grasses of An Tir” by Antoine Tue Aved des Mots for their *Majesties of An Tir in response to King Morgan’s speech on inclusion and diversity of An Tir. - 2024
• Assisted Dame Yseult and Victoria De Kente in painting tall banners for Twelfth Night Hall - 2023
• Flax: grew from seed (2 years) and processed into cloth - 2023-2026
• Made bone carved comb and period pigments with leather bag, with which I won Adiantum’s *A&S championship at Birthday Bash - 2023
• Painted disabled parking signs with Dame Yseult for Egils - March, 2024
• Organized the creation of Adiantum Calendar Fundraisers with the scribes of Adiantum, earning nearly $450 for the barony. - 2024
• Wove hat from blackberry brambles, swamp rushes, and lake sedges. - 2024, Plaited rush hat 2025
• Sewed many pieces of garb for our family, mostly leines (shirts), tunics, pants, hats, and skirts - 2020-present