In This Month’s TIFAM: Gold Medals, Political Philosophy Through the archer’s scope, and a Trip Through the Woods
The September 2025 collector’s edition of TIFAM is here, packed with tournament triumphs, deep dives into history and philosophy, and stories from the heart of the Irish archery community. Kicking off with an editor’s note from James Byrne, this issue celebrates the skill, camaraderie, and intellectual curiosity that define the sport.
Highlights
Irish Victories at EFAC 2025: We celebrate the incredible success of four Irish ladies who competed at the European Field Archery Championships in Estonia. This issue features a detailed account of the grueling five-day competition, culminating in two gold medals for Helen Kavanagh and Michelle Jay.
- The Prince’s Arrow—Machiavelli at Full Draw: Take a journey into the mind of Niccolò Machiavelli in the fascinating feature, “An Arrow Knows no Master”. This article explores how the skill, discipline, and cunning of an archer provide a powerful metaphor for understanding Machiavelli’s concepts of virtù (skill) and Fortuna (fortune).
- Andrew’s 20 Questions with David Dempsey: Get to know David Dempsey in this month’s in-depth interview. David shares his journey into archery, his proudest moments in the sport, and his inspiring story of positivity and determination through personal trials.
- Community and Competition: This issue is filled with photos and stories from across the country, including the “Adventures with Fluffy” charity shoot in Laois, the inaugural North Munster 100 tournament, and the Slaney Classic.
- Regular Favourites: Read the regular columns, including “Smack my controversy,” which explores archery as a form of remembrance and community, and a feature on the life of Ming dynasty archery master Gao Ying.
With dozens of photos, club reports, and many more articles to read inside, this is an issue you will want to keep.
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