Roibeard mac Neill mhic Ghille Eoin
From EastKingdomWiki
| Photo |
|---|
 Roibeard working at metalsmithing |
| Information |
| Resides: Shire of Quintavia |
| Status: Active |
| Awards: Order of Precedence |
| Heraldry |
 Quarterly Sable and Gules, a Sea-Bull maintaining a Cutlass within a Dovetailed bordure Or |
| Award & Office Badges |
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Introduction
My main (and Registered) name is Roibeard (ROW-bareD or Raw-Bared) mac Neill mhic Gille Eoin (mick Gill-Owen). I live in the Shire of Quintavia along with my lady-Wife Marja Gundesindus de Leon and my two bairns, Brendan and Elanora. I am a metal artisan, teacher, instigator, cheerleader, and Laureate (preferred title is Muinteoir, or Mentor in Irish...I do not consider myself a Master of anything and anyone). My secondary persona is that of Roibeard's ancestor (on his Father's side) of Sigbrandr Varðrefjordi...he was a silversmith and merchant.
My Lady wife and I are the heads of An Taoide Iarann (The Iron Tide), a small household containing friends, artisans, and like minded history geeks.
I have two wonderful apprentices and two students. They are THLord Christoff of Swampkepe, Lord Ubba of Smoking Rocks (both Apprentices), THLady Astrid Saegirsdottir, and Magistra Audrye Beneyt (Students).
On the field of Honour I am Championed by Lady Gunnr MacKinnon.
In modern times I am Louis Garcia (Preferred pronouns He/Him/His), a multi-disciplinary artist and arts instructor living in Worcester, MA with my Wife Dee (sca Marja Gundesindus), our two children Brendan and Emerson, and five incredible cats. I run Strongford Arts, where I display and sell renditions of Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Viking Jewelry. I have begun to make reproductions of archaeological finds from Caherconnell Stone Fort in Carran, Co. Clare, Ireland for their displays.
Persona
Roibeard was born on April 26, 1551, on the Hebridean island of Barra to Gillean mac Neill, a sea captain and trader cousin to Chief Ruari mac Neill, and Brigit ingen Raghallaigh, an Irish weaver from Gaillimh, Connacht. Roibeard grew up around the Sea, sailing with his father and crew (much to his Mother's chagrin) in the many voyages around the Northern Seas. Following the death of his father during an attack from an English vessel south of Dunbarton, Roibeard left Barra and traveled to Clew Bay, where he joined the employ of long time Family friend and compatriot, Grainne in Mhaille. With sailing in his blood he was back out to sea following in the footsteps of his father, becoming an accomplished Navigator. In time he left Grainne's service and Disembarked in Spain, were he learned the Arts, primarily painting and silver smithing. He lived in Murcia for nearly a decade before the Sea called again. He began to travel the Mediterranean and beyond with a trading crew and built a lucrative business with his artistic skill. His artistry took him from Venice to Copenhagen and Every major port in Europe. His work traveled beyond his voyages to the Halls of Topkapi and to the new Colonies across the Atlantic. He now lives on the shores of Clare, Munster, with his lady-wife and children, every so often returning to the sea to visit his business partners, patrons, and friends.
He recently found out about an ancestor who lived in the Woodford settlement north of Waterford, Leinster, and is building a history of the life of his ancestor who happens to share his artistry and love of the sea.
Offices & Positions
Herald, Canton of Polis Partis (Defunct), Kingdom of Meridies, 4/1994 - 5/1995
Event Staff
Event Steward, Feast of Lughnasagh IV, Jul. 1992
Co-Feastcrat, Aphar Faire, Aug. 1998
Event Steward, Sparkly and Shiny, a Virtual Metal and Glass Althyng, Nov. 2020
Event Steward, Sparkly and Shiny goes to Birka, Feb. 2021
Event Steward, Sparkly and Shiny 3: A New Spring, June 2021
Projects, Publications, and Awards
6th Century Fowler Type F Penannular brooch, copper alloy. Private Collection.
Rendition of the Clough Penannular Brooch, a 7th century piece made in fine silver with amber cabochons for the knighting of Count Ozurr the Bootgiver.
Collaboration with Sir Zhigmun’ Czypsser on Bronze, Viking Plaited spurs for the Knighting of Count Ozurr the Bootgiver.
The Reliquary of St. Brendan's Tooth, a representation of an Insular Tomb Reliquary made for the St. Eligius Arts and Science Competition. Winner- Metalwork, Glass, and Leather category.
Collaboration with Baron Fergus Redmead of a 1st century Celtic Torc as a prize for the Heavy list tournament at Ice Weasel 2020.
Collaboration with Master Antonio Patrasso on the Elevation collar for Lilias de Cheryngton, Master of Defense, February 2021
K A&S 2021 entry "The Evolution of Zoomorphic Penannular Brooches". Honorable Mention
Pelican Medallion for Master Mathias von Würzburg's Elevation, April 2021
Laurel Medallion for Amalie von Hohensee's Elevation, May 2021
Laurel's Challenges, May 2021: La Téne mirror study and Pounding Silver Leaf from ingot.
The Elevation suite of Magistrissa Audrye Beneyt: Pelican Diadem, Pelican Medallion, and assorted finery including Lambay Island Romano-British torc, Romano-British Fibulae set, and matching bracelets, June 2021
Roman Era Laurel Diadem for the Elevation of Gnaea Celera, Crown Tournament of Alberic and Tindal, July 2021
Laurel Wreath for the Elevation of Arabella de Mere, Hundred Minutes War, November 2021
The Thunder Tyger Crowns of the East, first worn by TRMs Ryouko'jin and Indrakshi, Coronation, April 2022 https://wiki.eastkingdom.org/wiki/Thunder_Tiger_Crowns
Upcoming projects can be seen on my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/RoibeardmacNeill/
Award of Arms - Market Day at Birka, Jan. 2020
Clothier to the Crown - Ciao Bella Regina: Last Court of Margarita De' Siena, Aug. 2020
Maunche - Second Ethereal Court of Alberic and Tindal, Oct. 2020
Artisan to the Crown - Crown Tournament of Alberic and Tindal, July 2021
Writ from Emperor Ioannes and Empress Ro Honig, Order of The Laurel, Harper's Retreat, Sept. 2021.
Laurel, War of the Roses, May 2022.
Classes Taught
Metalwork Jam Session - Harper's Retreat 2019. Demo-Style class covering Silver forging techniques, Viking wire plaiting, and bronze fusing and forging
Metalwork Jam Session - Ice Weasel 19
Ancient Wire Plaiting techniques - Gulf Wars XXIX (Event Cancelled) Forging a Gotland Silver Ring - Gulf Wars XXIX (Event Cancelled)
Weekly Live Feed on Facebook from Art Studio where I cover a variety of jewelry making subjects during the Covid-19 Pandemic. All are accessible through the Strongford Arts Facebook page.
-Forging a Hiberno-Norse bracelet- 3/18, 2020
-Forging a Silver Spiral Ring- 3/25, 2020
-Basic Viking Plaiting Techniques- 4/1, 2020
-Advanced Plaiting Techniques- 4/9, 2020
-Making Fibulae- 4/15, 2020
-Forging a silver Thor's Hammer- 4/22, 2020
-Making Viking Stamps for metal- 5/1,2020
-Making Anglo-Saxon Spiral and Looped Rings-5/7, 2020
-Recreating a Celtic Torc, March 2021
-Forging Silver Wire from ingot, April 2021
Gallery of some of my work
In Case of Court
Surprises are all good!
Please contact Marja Gundesindus de Leon (Dee Rowe-Garcia) to marjadeleon@gmail.com.
For an updated "In Case of Peerage", please contact Lady Marja to the address above
Apprentices and Students
I have two exceptional Apprentices...they are THLord Christoff of Swampkepe and Lord Ubba of Smoking Rocks. My students include THLady Astrid Saegersdottir and Magistra Audrye Beneyt.