I am glad I found your channel. I am not Irish, just a Yank from Massachusetts. Very interested in the history and culture of your people. More people need to know about them.
Thank you for the kind words and that's a big part of why I started the channel even in Ireland this is not a well known part of history and I feel it should be.
I've seen the broad barbed head on fletched javelins that were meant to be used on horses. I would be very interested if a bodkin tip would be effective against armor.
Are you familiar with any use of spear-throwers in combination with these war darts in the corresponding time periods? If they weren't used, do you have an opinion as to why not?
They used throwing cords which provide much of the same advantages without needing and extra tool. These were often used in rapid attacks so I imagine having the ability to draw a sword quickly was important.
Another very interesting video. I have never understood why there has not been more interest or research from Irish historians on Irish weapons of this period. Anything I have seen is almost dismissive. I am sure you are correct about their heads being misidentified as arrow heads. I have seen pictures of improbably large arrow heads that seem like they would be better suited to a Javelin or Dart type projectile. Do you think that an atlatl or strap would have been used on these types of darts?
There are two depictions of straps being used on them so that was definitely done. As for atlatls I have not yet seen anything about them. I have seen some people get pretty impressive accuracy with similar style darts so it is something I have to try. As for historians Andrew halpin has done amazing work as have a few others such as Dave swift but I think there is a bit of cultural hangover in the country wanting to distance itself from violence.
Cool video, do you think irish war darts would of had fletchings on their ends, they seem to have some kind of cord for your finger to increase throwing power.
Yes they did indeed have fletching as you can see in the thumbnail image and in two seperate paintings the finger loops have been show as well. Something to test for me in both.
