10-11th Century Irish Warriors

[Celtic505]

@Vortigern/Robert....Hey, I looked into the painting above depicting the battle of clontarf and as it turns out the painting is similar to McBrides depictions because it IS McBride's work. At first glance it doesn't seem like his style but looking closely at the Irish warrior's face and the stylization of the warriors in the background then it becomes clear it is McBrides work. I read in the book though that it's his work, I am not going by the style of the image. Anyways, McBride gave both of his paintings of Clontarf Berkasovo helmets because the author must have told him to. The Irish cotemporary work "War of the Gaedhil with the Gael" says of the Irish warriors "they had on them also crested golden helmets set with sparkling transparent brilliant gems and precious stones on the heads of chiefs and royal knights". I'm guessing the author and artist at a loss for explanation as there has been no Irish helmets found looking anything remotely close to the description, must have gone with the only known helmet that fitted the description. It is known that the Irish chiefs and warriors picked armor that is more flashy or heroic than practical or protective. I think it's weird, because the Tain writes of Cuchulainn wearing a helmet described almost exactly the same way, but clearly the time period Cuchulainn is placed in is far older than the appearance of the Roman helmets that fit the description. Unless they were being written down during the time period of the helmets usage. I honestly don't know. I am totally confused as to the whole thing. I mean c'mon, Irish warriors wearing Berkasovo Roman helmets in the 11th Century? WTF? I mean it sounds waaay off but I don't know. What the hell are they describing then? Is it just imagination or creative description to add to the story? Or perhaps did some Irish chieftan use a captured Roman helmet from Britain or where ever his ancestors got it and was passed down as an heirloom? Still I find it doubtful because this description pops up in many more Irish works concerning mythic heroes as well as real life chronicles of Irish history. I being Irish find it very difficult and exhausting trying to put together an idea or detailed vivid image of how the Gaelic warriors appeared, as there is such little art and artifacts and descriptions that seem to describe completely different pieces of armor. I mean I just wish I had a time machine so I could go back and see firsthand...but until then I shall keep digging and reading and looking to find as much as I can to bring about a vivid picture of a medieval Gaelic warrior.