Greetings and Welcome to the Derbfine Coigligh page.
What exactly is a Derbfine?
The Derbfine (pronounced Der-vinn-ah in English; jer-ub-finn-ah in Irish) is a family unit. Following the customs of Old Ireland it is basically a simple way of saying The family unit of the Coigligh (Quigley) decendants. Note I didn't use O'Coigligh, as that is used for an individual surname.
Who is the Derbfine Coigligh and what do we do?
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We are small family unit of a Mother and Father with three boys; Deglan, Cullen, and Kiran. We all share in the customs and traditions of the Gael of the pre-Christian Ireland time period. Our personal heritage like so many is a mixed bag of nations, including Irish, Scottish, Welsh, German, and Swedish. Though the one major theme and root to our families is Ireland, mainly that of Connacht with the Uí Fiachrach.
Like so many families we are into various interests, though some of them are very different than societal norms. We do our best to integrate the old customs of our ancestors into daily life. We are not trying by any means to recreate the Celtic Iron age and live as they did. We fully acknowledge being in the present, facing current issues and living in the now; all the while looking to our future as we honor the past. The difference for us is how we do this which makes us who we are.
When I mention the old customs, this is everything from Brehon law (Fenechas), our moral and ethical views, how we treat others, how we celebrate our faith, and to a degree what we do for a living based on the past within the present. For example: To us if one wishes to be apart of the Warrior class of society they would have to study the old ways & train as they did. To add to this, they would have to study and train in the martial arts, work in law enforcement, serve in the military and know the craft of the warrior of today. The same would apply to the Poet-seer, the Historian, or even the Draoi (Druid) in respect to our time and culture. If such interests and talents are found early on within ones inherent gifts they are then nurtured and supported. With the encouragement of the family and extended family this allows for the individual to follow their own path, albeit still honoring the past.
As most families go on with day to day living we have aimed our goals with a focus on practical education. Meaning not just that of the Old Ways, but placing value on being cultured in the arts for one example. Learning how to play instruments, languages such as Gaeilge, reading and writing poetry, and also learning the skills of the past like primitive living techniques, bushcraft and even homesteading. Every Derbfine, like any other modern family is different. Some families are very Scientific, others are focused on Law or even Medicine. For instance my wife's family is very involved in nursing, health care, EMT, and other areas of the medical field.
Our family is also involved with a local Celtic Reenactment Group. Our interest in educating the public through accurately portraying The Celtic Iron Age is something we find not only interesting and fun but practical and applicable. The skills developed and honed through our interests in combination with bushcraft and primitive/ancestral techniques allow us a sense of relaxation when the power goes out, or while camping. We love the survival saying by Cody Lundin which states: "The more you know, the less you need."
Derbfine Coigligh is a Hearth home which is called An Dreoilín Nead - The Wren's nest, which belongs to Poball nan Ealachan Naomha (People of the Sacred Swans) which has members in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Poball nan Ealachan Naomha in turn belongs to the Comal na nGoídel (Fellowship of the Gael) which is currently rebuilding is website.
Like so many families we are into various interests, though some of them are very different than societal norms. We do our best to integrate the old customs of our ancestors into daily life. We are not trying by any means to recreate the Celtic Iron age and live as they did. We fully acknowledge being in the present, facing current issues and living in the now; all the while looking to our future as we honor the past. The difference for us is how we do this which makes us who we are.
When I mention the old customs, this is everything from Brehon law (Fenechas), our moral and ethical views, how we treat others, how we celebrate our faith, and to a degree what we do for a living based on the past within the present. For example: To us if one wishes to be apart of the Warrior class of society they would have to study the old ways & train as they did. To add to this, they would have to study and train in the martial arts, work in law enforcement, serve in the military and know the craft of the warrior of today. The same would apply to the Poet-seer, the Historian, or even the Draoi (Druid) in respect to our time and culture. If such interests and talents are found early on within ones inherent gifts they are then nurtured and supported. With the encouragement of the family and extended family this allows for the individual to follow their own path, albeit still honoring the past.
As most families go on with day to day living we have aimed our goals with a focus on practical education. Meaning not just that of the Old Ways, but placing value on being cultured in the arts for one example. Learning how to play instruments, languages such as Gaeilge, reading and writing poetry, and also learning the skills of the past like primitive living techniques, bushcraft and even homesteading. Every Derbfine, like any other modern family is different. Some families are very Scientific, others are focused on Law or even Medicine. For instance my wife's family is very involved in nursing, health care, EMT, and other areas of the medical field.
Our family is also involved with a local Celtic Reenactment Group. Our interest in educating the public through accurately portraying The Celtic Iron Age is something we find not only interesting and fun but practical and applicable. The skills developed and honed through our interests in combination with bushcraft and primitive/ancestral techniques allow us a sense of relaxation when the power goes out, or while camping. We love the survival saying by Cody Lundin which states: "The more you know, the less you need."
Derbfine Coigligh is a Hearth home which is called An Dreoilín Nead - The Wren's nest, which belongs to Poball nan Ealachan Naomha (People of the Sacred Swans) which has members in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Poball nan Ealachan Naomha in turn belongs to the Comal na nGoídel (Fellowship of the Gael) which is currently rebuilding is website.
Allison
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The voice of reason in our family. She is the logical one who uses critical thinking skills to deduce through reason and objectivity. She is quiet and reserved, often conservative in nature; though when she does speak her mind your head will spin all the while you try and gather what you planed on saying next. She grew up from an early age involved in the local Irish community in WNY, and for many years she danced for Rochez Acadamy of Irish Dance. She even placed 1st at Nationals!
Growing up Allison spent a lot of time with her Father. From an early age she took naturally to marksmanship. Presently more comfortable with a handgun, she does not bat an eye to pick up a rifle and show off to those that would otherwise be fooled by her good looks. She loves Science and although she can be introverted, once she knows you you'll see a side of her nature that was otherwise hidden. Subjects like biology, geology, physics, mechanics, robotics, and anything that is hands on is what she lives for.
Motherhood is very important to Allison, as she is an advocate for Breast Feeding, cloth diapers, and organic living. In the future she hopes to be a lactation consultant in her spare time. Currently she works for Geico as an auto damage adjuster and is very focussed on her career. She loves her job and she takes pride in what she does for a living because she enjoys it.
In her spare time Allison enjoys the following: reading novels, arts and crafts, scrap booking, baking, gardening, canning, hiking, camping, bush craft, hands on learning, home brewing, and other activities with her family and friends. She is presently learning to knit and crochet. In the future she would like be able to own a large amount of property, be in involved in homesteading, and make an effort to live off the grid focusing on sustainable self reliance.
Growing up Allison spent a lot of time with her Father. From an early age she took naturally to marksmanship. Presently more comfortable with a handgun, she does not bat an eye to pick up a rifle and show off to those that would otherwise be fooled by her good looks. She loves Science and although she can be introverted, once she knows you you'll see a side of her nature that was otherwise hidden. Subjects like biology, geology, physics, mechanics, robotics, and anything that is hands on is what she lives for.
Motherhood is very important to Allison, as she is an advocate for Breast Feeding, cloth diapers, and organic living. In the future she hopes to be a lactation consultant in her spare time. Currently she works for Geico as an auto damage adjuster and is very focussed on her career. She loves her job and she takes pride in what she does for a living because she enjoys it.
In her spare time Allison enjoys the following: reading novels, arts and crafts, scrap booking, baking, gardening, canning, hiking, camping, bush craft, hands on learning, home brewing, and other activities with her family and friends. She is presently learning to knit and crochet. In the future she would like be able to own a large amount of property, be in involved in homesteading, and make an effort to live off the grid focusing on sustainable self reliance.
Gabriel
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He is also know to many as Dreoilín or Wren
Unlike his wife he did not find his Celtic roots until much later in life being in his late teens. Gabe has always been the dreamer, poet, musician, artist and the emotional one in life. He was born on the spring equinox and has often felt a personal mission in his life about achieving balance, given the symbolic pull of light and dark on his birthday. He is often very bold, outspoken and expresses braggadocio in what could be seen as pretentious self ego boosting. Perhaps its the fiery aries nature of his? Though to assure you this is very far from the truth. You won't find a man that cries as often or feels emotionally involved in topics that pains him like Gabriel. If you need a trail blazed in the woods or in life it is he who beats to his own drum that will make that path. Stubborn but not close minded, he can be a very hard person to get to know. He studied Psychology and Anthropology at College and is still very passionate about those subjects.
During his late teen years he began a personal quest to understand himself through his ancestors culture and faith which ultimately lead him to the Celts and the Druid path. Eventually he joined a few Druid Orders, completed course material, and made pilgrimage to his homelands. Gabriel would say that he has just as many gripes with the Pagan community as he does with anyone who ultimately claims they have all the answers. For many years he was in the role of what you would consider Clergy to his community. He offers service through weddings, house blessings, naming/baptisms, marriage counciling, and other rites of passage. He is a teacher/professor (Ollamh) of the Celtic path and offers a very formal lesson plan for those students he has taught and is teaching presently. Gabriel is fully aware of the Social-Political status of the Old Draoithe (Druids) and feels very strongly about anyone calling themselves a Druid; that without an education, an evaluation by your mentors, and a community to accept, support and utilize your services there only exists an educated person of the culture. One must examin in detail what the Draoi (Druid) role was in Celtic culture and how then can we in todays culture honor the past and still consider ourselves as Druids in our own time.
Currently Gabe is a stay at home father and homesteader. With a six year old, a four year old, and 1 year old, life is full of wonder, joy and as you expected... delightful-chaos. Being a father and a good one at that, ask yourself how many men do you know that would sacrifice their years, time, and sanity staying home with the children? Surely not a common practice in todays society. In his spare time he enjoys hand crafting items and selling them on his Etsy site: DruidCrafts. He loves music and plays Guitar, Mandolin, Tin whistle, Low D whistle, Bodhran, and has a good foundation on the Harp. Gabe has a passion for poetry, and has been writing and stockpiling verse since 1992. He loves the art of storytelling, and looks forward to being more proficient in traditional tales. He loves to sing and often is found carrying the baby around the house dancing and singing. Gabe simply loves life, loves the Celtic culture and loves sharing it with the world.
Gabriel's interests are as follows: Psychology, Kinesics, Psychosynthesis, Primitive wilderness skills, Archery, Wilderness living, Paleo-Craft, Self Reliance-Self Sufficiency, Wild Edibles/Foraging, Edible forest-gardens, Backpacking, Permaculture, Hiking, Camping, Celtic Iron Age (La Tene Culture), Druidry, Cláirseach Ghaelach (Irish Harp) Home Brewing, Celtic Mythology, European Neolithic culture, Wild Fermentation, Bard-Craft, Gardening, Off the Grid living skills, The Indo-Europeans, Freemasonry, Pipes and Cigars, Sourdough Breads, Mead, The Ogham, Baroque Music, Classical Guitar, Poetry, Sea Shanties, Reenactment & Living History, Lucid Dreaming, Alternative building methods: Straw bale & Earth berms, The megalithic yard, Renewable energy, Brehon Law, Canning, Lacto-fermentation, Meditation, Martial Arts, and lastly the big one- Just spending time with my family and friends.
Inspiration & Influences: The Shining ones, My Grandmother, My family (you know who you are) Yoda, Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, Philip Carr-Gomm, Rabbie Burns, Ray Mears, Lion-O, William Blake, Aldous Huxley, Jim Morrison, Bruce Lee, J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter B. Ellis, Dáithí Ó Hógáin, Alexei Kondratiev, Ellen Evert Hopman, Emma Restall Orr, Cody Lundin, Dave Canterbury, Stan Rogers, Liam Clancy, Ronnie Drew, Johnny Cash, Luke Kelly, Dougie MacLean, Damh the Bard, Brak from Space Ghost, The Monty Python Crew, Kids in the Hall, & Sun Tzu.
Unlike his wife he did not find his Celtic roots until much later in life being in his late teens. Gabe has always been the dreamer, poet, musician, artist and the emotional one in life. He was born on the spring equinox and has often felt a personal mission in his life about achieving balance, given the symbolic pull of light and dark on his birthday. He is often very bold, outspoken and expresses braggadocio in what could be seen as pretentious self ego boosting. Perhaps its the fiery aries nature of his? Though to assure you this is very far from the truth. You won't find a man that cries as often or feels emotionally involved in topics that pains him like Gabriel. If you need a trail blazed in the woods or in life it is he who beats to his own drum that will make that path. Stubborn but not close minded, he can be a very hard person to get to know. He studied Psychology and Anthropology at College and is still very passionate about those subjects.
During his late teen years he began a personal quest to understand himself through his ancestors culture and faith which ultimately lead him to the Celts and the Druid path. Eventually he joined a few Druid Orders, completed course material, and made pilgrimage to his homelands. Gabriel would say that he has just as many gripes with the Pagan community as he does with anyone who ultimately claims they have all the answers. For many years he was in the role of what you would consider Clergy to his community. He offers service through weddings, house blessings, naming/baptisms, marriage counciling, and other rites of passage. He is a teacher/professor (Ollamh) of the Celtic path and offers a very formal lesson plan for those students he has taught and is teaching presently. Gabriel is fully aware of the Social-Political status of the Old Draoithe (Druids) and feels very strongly about anyone calling themselves a Druid; that without an education, an evaluation by your mentors, and a community to accept, support and utilize your services there only exists an educated person of the culture. One must examin in detail what the Draoi (Druid) role was in Celtic culture and how then can we in todays culture honor the past and still consider ourselves as Druids in our own time.
Currently Gabe is a stay at home father and homesteader. With a six year old, a four year old, and 1 year old, life is full of wonder, joy and as you expected... delightful-chaos. Being a father and a good one at that, ask yourself how many men do you know that would sacrifice their years, time, and sanity staying home with the children? Surely not a common practice in todays society. In his spare time he enjoys hand crafting items and selling them on his Etsy site: DruidCrafts. He loves music and plays Guitar, Mandolin, Tin whistle, Low D whistle, Bodhran, and has a good foundation on the Harp. Gabe has a passion for poetry, and has been writing and stockpiling verse since 1992. He loves the art of storytelling, and looks forward to being more proficient in traditional tales. He loves to sing and often is found carrying the baby around the house dancing and singing. Gabe simply loves life, loves the Celtic culture and loves sharing it with the world.
Gabriel's interests are as follows: Psychology, Kinesics, Psychosynthesis, Primitive wilderness skills, Archery, Wilderness living, Paleo-Craft, Self Reliance-Self Sufficiency, Wild Edibles/Foraging, Edible forest-gardens, Backpacking, Permaculture, Hiking, Camping, Celtic Iron Age (La Tene Culture), Druidry, Cláirseach Ghaelach (Irish Harp) Home Brewing, Celtic Mythology, European Neolithic culture, Wild Fermentation, Bard-Craft, Gardening, Off the Grid living skills, The Indo-Europeans, Freemasonry, Pipes and Cigars, Sourdough Breads, Mead, The Ogham, Baroque Music, Classical Guitar, Poetry, Sea Shanties, Reenactment & Living History, Lucid Dreaming, Alternative building methods: Straw bale & Earth berms, The megalithic yard, Renewable energy, Brehon Law, Canning, Lacto-fermentation, Meditation, Martial Arts, and lastly the big one- Just spending time with my family and friends.
Inspiration & Influences: The Shining ones, My Grandmother, My family (you know who you are) Yoda, Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, Philip Carr-Gomm, Rabbie Burns, Ray Mears, Lion-O, William Blake, Aldous Huxley, Jim Morrison, Bruce Lee, J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter B. Ellis, Dáithí Ó Hógáin, Alexei Kondratiev, Ellen Evert Hopman, Emma Restall Orr, Cody Lundin, Dave Canterbury, Stan Rogers, Liam Clancy, Ronnie Drew, Johnny Cash, Luke Kelly, Dougie MacLean, Damh the Bard, Brak from Space Ghost, The Monty Python Crew, Kids in the Hall, & Sun Tzu.