The Last Foot Triskelion

The following is a list of the names of individual events held as part of the Triskelion. Very little information is available about these events, as they are largely only referenced briefly in documents related to the 19th century iteration. In some cases, other details have been cross-referenced from various sources.

We have no proof that these events are in any way connected to the ancient Triskelion, but based on the names chosen and the broader stated goals of the 19th century Triskelion, it would follow that the intention was to imitate the earlier practice.

These references have remarkable similarities to the games described in the 19th century sources. Four individual “events” or “rounds” are named in both the bardic sources and the 19th century sources: (cuimhneachan) the Remembrance; fògairt (the Banishing), coinneamh (the Confrontation), and crùnadh (the Coronation). The ancient sources were not found until long after the 19th century sources were printed, which suggests that they are legitimate.

An aside in a 19th century sources claims that its list of events is non-exhaustive, and that for the ancient practitioners, the list changed every year. In fact, the 19th century practitioners did invent many of their own events.

[1] This was a rare physical challenge for the Triskelion, typically referring back to a fight that broke out within the community that year, and contested via a form of stick fighting. Contemporary correspondence suggests it was retired after a grave injury.

[2] Often held at the beginning of the Triskelion, this was more of a social event than a contest, but there was a competitive aspect, as teams put forward their best musicians and singers with a panel of judges deciding the victor.

[3] This is thought to be a practice of naming those that had been lost to the community during the year.

[4] A controversial event, this would typically involve a reshuffle of the competitors assigned to each team.

[5] This was always the final event to be held, deciding the outcome of the Triskelion for that year.