The Ulster Wargames Society (UWS) is the longest established
historical miniature wargaming society in Northern Ireland. We started out in the 1960s as the Ulster
Military Modelling Society, but over the years more and more members wanted to
game with their nicely painted models.
Eventually we changed the name in the late 1990s, to reflect the fact
that for a long time our focus had been primarily on wargaming.
We meet monthly, usually on the last Saturday, from around 9:30am to 5pm. Most years we have about 20 members signed up,
and there’s plenty of room for more.
Visitors are also welcome, although we may charge a small entrance fee.
A typical meeting will feature a large participation game with multiple players, usually with room for people just to turn up on the day and play, and two or three smaller games. We also run an annual Bring and Buy sale.
As previously mentioned, most of the games we play are historically based. Frequently used rulesets include:
· Age of Eagles (Napoleonic)
· Battlegroup (WW2)
· Black Powder (Marlburian, Seven Years War, Napoleonic)
· Blucher (Napoleonic)
· Chain of Command (WW2)
· Dux Britanniarum (Arthurian)
· Field of Glory (Ancients and Renaissance)
· Fire and Fury (American Civil War)
· Lion Rampant (Medieval)
· Sharp Practice (Napoleonic)
· They Died for Glory (Franco-Prussian War)
Several of our favourite rulesets are published by TooFatLardies, and in 2013 we enjoyed a visit from the Lord of Lard himself, Rich Clarke. This event, dubbed the Lardy Ulster Fry, featured a selection of games from the TooFatLardies stable, and a good time was had by all. Hopefully we’ll be able to arrange a further visit from Rich before too long.
We have also put on display games at different venues, to tie in with local events, most recently a refight of the Battle of Aughrim (1691) at Carrickfergus Town Hall.
We are a friendly bunch when you get to know us, so do feel free to come along to one of our meetings and join in the fun.
