Ailis inghean Ui Riagain

Photo

Lady Ailís inghean uí Riagáin.

Information

Resides:	Barony of Sacred Stone, Atlantia
Status:	Active
Awards:	Order of Precedence Entry

Heraldry

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Introduction

Greetings! I am Lady Ailís inghean uí Riagáin.

Protégé to Mistress Lorelei Greenleafe
September 6, 2025

Pronunciation
Ailis: Ay (as in 'bay') lis (as in 'miss') or A-list but without the "t" on the end.
Riagáin: Ria (as in 'free') gáin (as in 'gun') or Ree-uh-gun

Pronouns

she/her

My journey into the Society for Creative Anachronism began in 2014, sparked by a lifelong fascination with history and the immersive atmosphere of Renaissance festivals. At the suggestion of a friend, I set my sights on War of the Wings—a name that, at the time, was just an event on a calendar, but would soon become a turning point in my life. Before setting foot on the field, I reached out to the Canton of Crois Brigte, whose members welcomed my curiosity with open arms. Walking into War of the Wings 2014 for the first time, I didn’t just find a hobby; I found a place that felt like "home." While my early years were rooted in the hospitality of Crois Brigte, I now proudly reside within the lands of the Barony of the Sacred Stone.

In the years since, my path has been defined by a deep commitment to Service. I find my greatest fulfillment working behind the scenes, ensuring that the "cogs" of our Society runs smoothly. Drawing on my professional background in Information Technology, I have dedicated myself to building and maintaining digital homes for our community. This has included developing numerous websites for local events, as well as the digital presence for both our regional Cantons and the Barony of the Sacred Stone itself.

While my service is often digital, my artistic and intellectual pursuits are tactile and ever-evolving. I am a self-taught practitioner of crochet and embroidery, though I tend to approach the Arts and Sciences like a sponge, always ready to absorb a new craft or historical technique. Beyond the needle and the keyboard, my heart lies in the more visceral experiences of an event. You can almost always find me where the arrows are flying or where the drums are beating; I am a dedicated enthusiast of archery, open-fire cooking, and the rhythmic pulse of the drum circle.

Mundanely, my life is a blend of technical precision and natural wonder. When I am not navigating the world of IT, I am a passionate Beekeeper, a craft I have lovingly practiced since 2011. There is a profound peace in tending the hives and observing the intricate lives of the bees. This fascination with the natural world has blossomed into a significant personal collection of Orchids, which has recently shifted from a hobby into a dedicated research project.

I have spent considerable time tracing the historical lineage and botanical evolution of orchids, documenting their presence through the centuries. Through my recently launched research platform, The Potted Historian, I chronicle my findings, mapping out the intersection of primary historical research and modern orchid care. I am a proud member of the American Orchid Society and the Piedmont Triad Orchid Society, always seeking to bridge the gap between historical record and living specimens. I may be quiet at first, but if you wish to see my "talk your ear off" side, simply ask me about honeybees or the historical journey of orchids or what orchids in my collection are blooming!

Persona

My historical persona takes me back to the year 1270 in the lush Boyne Valley of modern-day County Meath, Ireland. As Ailis inghean Uí Riagáin, daughter of a nobleman whose lineage traces back to the ancient tribes of Tara, I occupy a world caught between Gaelic tradition and the shifting tides of the 13th century.

Much of my time is spent in the study of apiculture; in the Ireland of my birth, bees are so highly valued that they are protected under the Brehon Laws. The Bechbretha (Bee-judgments) govern the ownership and honey-tribute of every hive, and as a keeper of the "bright people of the air," I am a student of these ancient legalities as much as the hives themselves.

However, my curiosity extends beyond the apiary to the wild flora of the Boyne. I am a dedicated student of the Herbals, seeking to understand the hidden virtues of the plants that carpet our valley. My particular fascination lies with the Magairlín—the wild orchids of Ireland. While others see only a flower, I see a specimen of great mystery and "signature."

Following the tradition of the early medieval herbalists, I document the appearance, habitat, and medicinal "virtues" of these blooms. To study the orchid is to study the intricacies of creation; I work to bridge the gap between the ancient Gaelic herbal lore and the growing botanical knowledge of the continent. Whether translating the properties of a root from a vellum manuscript or observing the way a bee interacts with a wild orchid in the meadow, my life is a pursuit of the natural world's hidden history.

Peer Relationship(s)

On Saturday September 6, 2025, at Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday in Apex North Carolina, Mistress Lorelei Greenleafe and I formalized our Peer/protege relationship in a quiet, meaningful ceremony. We signed a contract, sealed it with wax, and cut it in half to exchange, a gesture that felt both ancient and deeply personal. The ceremony was attended by approximately ten guests, with the Baron and Baroness of Sacred Stone graciously serving as witnesses to the signing and sealing of the contract.

For media and personality inquiries, please direct your correspondence to Mistress Lorelei Greenleafe at ladygreenleafe(at)gmail.com.

Heraldry

Pupure, a bee skep beset by bees between in chief two trees eradicated argent

Research Interests

Orchids:

What started as a small collection has grown into a full-scale obsession. My work with orchids has evolved from a personal collection into a dedicated research project focused on the plant's role throughout history. Through my website, The Potted Historian, I document my ongoing primary research, historical findings, and the developmental progress of my own botanical collection. I am an active member of the American Orchid Society and the Piedmont Triad Orchid Society.

https://www.thepottedhistorian.com/

Apiculture: Period & Modern:

I have been a practicing beekeeper since 2011, maintaining a balance between modern sustainability and historical (period) apiculture. I am a member of the North Carolina and Davidson County Beekeepers Associations. My commitment to the craft includes teaching specialized classes and hosting Field Days to demonstrate hive management and honeybee biology.

Offices

Office	Jurisdiction	Date Held
Webminister	Canton of Crois Brigte	January 2015 - May 2021
Webminister	Barony of the Sacred Stone	July 2018 - current
Webminister	Canton of Middlegate	October 2018 - September 2025
Webminister	Kingdom Exchequer (Atlantia)	November 2019 - current
Deputy Chronicler	Barony of the Sacred Stone	January 2024 - current
Webminister	Kingdom of Atlantia College of Heralds	April 2024 - January 2026

Positions & Event Staff

Position	Jurisdiction	Date Held
Baronial Beekeeper	Barony of the Sacred Stone	June 2018 - current

Event Staff	Position	Date	Group
Southern Atlantia Archery Day	Webminister	2017	Barony of the Sacred Stone
War of the Wings XII	Cartographer	2017	Barony of the Sacred Stone
Return to Crecy	Webminister	2018	Barony of the Sacred Stone
Gardens of Thyme	Webminister	2018	Canton of Crois Brigte
Atlantian 12th Night	Webminister	2019	Atlantia
Known World Agriculture & Forestry Symposium	Webminister	2019	Known World
Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday 2019	Webminister	2019	Barony of the Sacred Stone
Southern Atlantia Archery Day	Webminister	2020	Barony of the Sacred Stone
Mists of Atlantia: Gawain & the Green Knight	Webminister	2020	Barony of the Sacred Stone
Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday 2021	Webminister	2021	Barony of the Sacred Stone
Gardens of Thyme & Oakwood	Webminister	2022	Canton of Middlegate
Below the Salt	Webminister	2022	Barony of the Sacred Stone
In a Phoenix Eye	Webminister	2023	Barony of the Sacred Stone
Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday 2023	Webminister	2023	Barony of the Sacred Stone
Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday 2024	Webminister	2024	Barony of the Sacred Stone
Ice Castles & Baronial Investiture	Content Coordinator	2025	Barony of Black Diamond
Royal Archery Tournament	Webminister	2025	Barony of the Sacred Stone
Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday 2025	Deputy Autocrat and Webminister	2025	Barony of the Sacred Stone

Projects & Publications

Websites

Group	Project	Description
Canton of Crois Brigte	Webminister	construction and maintenance of website
Castle Elchenburg Website	Cartographer	creation of maps for website and for use at events
Barony of the Sacred Stone	Webminister	construction and maintenance of website
Canton of Middlegate	Webminister	construction and maintenance of website
The Potted Historian	Research and Documentation	Growing orchids as well as research into the history and evolution of Orchids

Online Publications

Publishing Authority	Article Name	Date	Weblink
The Oak	Beginnings of Research on Orchids Through History	February 9, 2025	https://oak.atlantia.sca.org/beginnings-of-research-on-orchids-through-history/

Physical / Offline Publications

Group	Project	Date	Description
Barony of the Sacred Stone	Event Booklet	September 5, 2025	Creation of an event booklet for guests to reference regarding the various activities at Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday

Arts & Sciences Entries

Event	Year	Project	Description	Outcome
War of the Wings	2017	Science Faire	Entry on a Brief History of Beekeeping	Won
Tournament of Ymir	2018	Cheese Competition	Entries of Sweet Strawberry & Rosewater Labneh Kabiss and Labneh Kabiss	Won
Trial by Fire	2018	Dessert Entry	Fine Cakes	Won
Tournament of Ymir	2022	Dessert Entry	Ka'ak: a Middle Eastern cookie, made three ways
Tournament of Ymir	2023	Kingdom Royal Baker Competition	Maid of Honour Tarts and Pandemaine with Rosemary & Garlic
Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday	2024	Azza's Aviary	Artist's Interpretation of the Barony of the Sacred Stone's Arms	Won

Classes Taught

Known World Agriculture & Forestry Symposium August 25, 2018

Beekeeping

Affiliations

Sacred Stone Cooks Guild (member)
SE Blue Feathers (member)
Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Guild of Atlantia (member)
Guild Grey (member)

Awards and Achievements

Award Date	Award Name	Event	Bestowed By
23 September 2017	Award of Arms (Atlantia)	Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday and Investiture (Atlantia)	Cuán VII and Signy I
23 September 2017	Award of the Fountain (Atlantia)	Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday and Investiture (Atlantia)	Cuán VII and Signy I
6 June 2020	Award of the Flame of the Phoenix (Atlantia) (Sacred Stone)	SAAD - Oh, For Cog's Sake - VIRTUAL EVENT (Crois Brigte)	Murienne
19 September 2020	Companion of the Sacred Stone (Atlantia) (Sacred Stone)	VIRTUAL Event: Sacred Stone Baronial Birthday (Sacred Stone)	Murienne
27 February 2021	Baronial Award of Excellence (Atlantia) (Sacred Stone)	VIRTUAL: Ymir - The Giant Sleeps (Windmaster's Hill)	Alain and Azza
27 February 2021	Companion of the Opal (Atlantia)	VIRTUAL: Ymir - The Giant Sleeps (Windmaster's Hill)	Anton V & Luned IV
7 June 2025	Order of the Golden Dolphin	Royal Archery Tournament (Atlantia)	Abran II & Anya II