HEMA Defuniak Springs

Doyle ISF Instructor certification on 03-28-26

Irish Collar and Elbow Wrestling tournament in the Boston area on June 13th.
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🗣️ Calling all grapplers, scufflers, wrestlers, and Celtic sports enthusiasts! 🤼 🗓️ June 13th, 2026 is the date set for the Northeast Collar and Elbow Wrestling Championships, officiated by the Collar and Elbow Federation founded by @theramblingkern and @headhunterhiggins 📍 Location: Fino Field 80 Granite St. Milford, Massachusetts 01757 🍀🏆 All winners will automatically qualify for the Collar and Elbow World Championships set to be hosted in Dublin, Ireland in 2027. Multiple classes contested, men & women. ✍️ Save the date. Make arrangements. Tell your friends. Everyone is invited. Come be a part of this revival. Be a part of history. Ní Neart Go Cur Le Chéile There is No Strength, Without Unity 💪💚☘️ #collarandelbow #wrestling #grappling #mma #bjj #celtic #irish

Scottish Backhold Wrestling tournament in the Boston area on June 13th.
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Calling all wrestlers, grapplers, fighters, and Celtic sports enthusiasts! 🔔🤼 🗓️ June 13th, 2026 is the date set for the North American Scottish Backhold Wrestling Championships, officiated by the Scottish Wrestling Bond with @john.taylor1984 , the legendary Taylor Family, @maxfreyne of @hipe.scotland & @frazer8041 📍 Location: Fino Field 80 Granite St. Milford, Massachusetts 01757 🤝 All levels welcome. All ages welcome! There will be weight classes and brackets for both men and women! 🏆 Winners will qualify for the World Championships, currently set to be held in the UK in 2027. There will be awards for winners, and the North American Backhold Championship belt for the Open Class Champion. ✍️ Save the date. Make arrangements. Tell your friends. Share this announcement! Everyone is invited. Come be a part of this revival. Be a part of history. Alba Gu Bràth 💪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #scottishbackhold #wrestling #grappling #mma #bjj #celtic #scottish #tartanarmy #boston

The training bata's came in this week! These were made from white oak and crafted by my friend TheMad Clurichaun. I want to thank you once again for everything you have done, sir.

For the last few years I have been training in Doyle Family Bataireacht (Irish Stick Fighting) under the guidance of Tom Moore of the O'Mordha Faction. This past January I received my Coaching certification and will begin teaching this family style and help keep alive an important part of Irish martial culture. With that being said I would like to introduce our Faction name and logo (designed by Tom himself). We are the Celtic Hounds Faction! Time to release the Hounds!

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Jack Dempsey, born William Harrison Dempsey on June 24, 1895, in Manassa, Colorado, was an American professional boxer who became a cultural icon in the 1920s. Known as the “Manassa Mauler,” Dempsey’s aggressive fighting style and formidable punching power captivated audiences and contributed significantly to boxing’s rise as a mainstream sport. He began his professional career in 1914, quickly gaining recognition for his relentless approach in the ring.   Dempsey’s most notable achievement came on July 4, 1919, when he won the world heavyweight title by defeating Jess Willard in Toledo, Ohio. Despite Willard’s considerable size advantage, Dempsey’s speed and ferocity led him to victory in just three rounds. He successfully defended his title multiple times, including a landmark bout against French challenger Georges Carpentier on July 2, 1921. This fight was boxing’s first to generate over a million dollars in gate receipts, underscoring Dempsey’s immense popularity.    Dempsey’s reign as champion lasted until September 23, 1926, when he lost to Gene Tunney in a ten-round decision in Philadelphia. Their rematch on September 22, 1927, became infamous for the “long count” controversy, where a delayed count allowed Tunney extra recovery time after a knockdown. Following this defeat, Dempsey retired from professional boxing but remained a prominent figure in the sport. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1951 and is remembered as one of the most influential boxers in history.    #Knockout #KO

The Scottish Wrestling Bond are happy to announce the 2025 Highland Games Dates. Sunday 25th May 2025 Atholl Gathering & Highland Games Seniors only ————————————- Saturday 14th June 2025 Bearsden & Milngavie Highland Games Juniors & Seniors ————————————- Saturday 21st June 2025 Lesmahagow Highland Games Juniors & Seniors ————————————- Saturday 28th June 2025 Ceres Highland Games Juniors & Seniors ————————————- Saturday 5th July 2025 Luss Highland Games Juniors & Seniors ————————————- Tuesday 22nd July 2025 Inveraray Highland Games Juniors & Seniors ————————————- Sunday 3rd August 2025 Bridge of Allan Highland Games Juniors & Seniors ————————————- Saturday 23rd August 2025 Bute Highland Games Seniors only ————————————- Saturday 30th August 2025 Cowal Gathering Highland Games Seniors only ————————————- Hopefully see you in the summer for some great wrestling!!

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Today is 705 years since the sealing of the Declaration of Arbroath. That was a letter from the Barons of Scotland to the Pope, setting out all the reasons that Scotland should stay Scotland and Edward II of England should back off and be happy with what he already had.

It's thought to have been written by Bernard of Linton, the Abbot of Arbroath, and has become known as one of the defining moments in Scottish History.

As well as declaring all the reasons Scotland should remain independent and outlining all of the atrocities committed against them, the letter explains why Robert the Bruce is considered their rightful King instead of his predecessor John Balliol who was still alive and well.

It's the very fact that Robert stood up for his country when it needed him and claims that if he ever acted differently, then the community of Scotland would depose him in the same way they considered Balliol unfit to rule.

The most iconic quote translates as, "As long as a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be subjected to English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself"

However, one of the most interesting parts to me comes near the end, somewhere between bribery and blackmail, which also seems like a massive gamble. The letter explains how much the Scots wanted to go on Crusade to fight for the Church, but couldn't because they were tied up fighting their neighbours.

Not only that, but if the Pope didn't act, any further deaths that could have been avoided would surely be laid at his door by God. A bold move, but it worked and suddenly the Pope was referring to Robert as King and encouraging Edward to make peace.

That wouldn't actually happen until 1328, but without the Declaration of Arbroath laying the foundations, maybe it wouldn't have happened at all!

This terrifyingly beautiful piece of weaponry is the Great Sword of Dunvegan, an important relic to Clan MacLeod, kept safe in the belly of Dunvegan Castle.

It's over 500 years old, probably from the late 15th century and made for the Uilleam Dubh, otherwise known as William 'Long Sword' MacLeod.

William was the 7th Chief of the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan, leading the clan from his home on Skye, but travelling far and wide. He led raids in Orkney, attended councils in Islay and eventually died in Mull.

That happened during a rebellion in the Hebrides, as Angus Og MacDonald fought his father John for the position of Lord Of The Isles. William's clan fought for John while the MacLeods of Lewis followed Angus, with skirmishes taking place across the Hebrides.

Sadly, even with the Great Sword Of Dunvegan in his hands, William was killed during the Battle of Bloody Bay, the climax of the conflict which saw Angus Og victorious. William's body was taken to Iona, the last of the MacLeod chiefs to be buried at the abbey there.

His son Alasdair Crotach would build St Clements Church on Harris, starting a new traditional burial place for this important island clan. That's where I'm headed today, where I'll see his effigy, depicted holding this historic sword!