The Toy Collectors: Model citizen relives ancient battles in miniature and through re-enactments

“I call it my pile of shame” he laughs. Shane is of course referring to his collection which also includes several nods to Roman history, from chainmail to tunics.

The history lover has an encyclopaedic knowledge of this time period having earned a joint honours degree in classical civilisation and archaeology and a Masters degree in museum studies.

Currently working in the retail sector, the 40-year-old spends much of his downtime working on his mini figurines.

“Normally these models are from a company called Warlord Games.” He points to one model by way of example.

“These are called the Macedonians silver shields, simply because they had silver shields. It’s not a copper-fastened rule but most model companies make a standard set of poses to form a display that can get particularly boring.

This is why a lot of figure painters do what are known as conversions. 

"The idea is to make them more aesthetically pleasing, If you’re looking at 3,400 models that are all posed the same way it gets very monotonous to look at. 

"For example I swapped the arm of one to make the posing that bit more dynamic. You can swap a head to make it look more pleasing.

“Another idea is to do a weapon swap. One of my models has a torch in his hand and weapon strapped to his back. It just gives the idea that he has lost his sword and he’s fighting through dirt or through warring streets.”

Shane explained that the figurines mean different things to different people.

“People do this for a multiplicity of reasons. Some people paint them to play a game. Others paint them as art. If you go on Youtube and search for miniature painting, you will often see Lord of the Rings figures. It might appear that the people you see online are just painting models but these are artists by any definition.

There are a few categories of collectors. A lot of people have these simply to play. The game people like collecting for the sake of collecting. Then there are the people who paint them as pure unadulterated art. There are artists who do these on commission. The figures are done to an ultra-high standard that is almost photographic in detail.”

The Cork man began collecting two decades ago.

“I started collecting when I was 20 years old after watching Lord of the Rings. The very first model I got was High King Elendil. 

If you ever watched The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring you’ll know he’s only mentioned in the first scene. 

It was like any hobby in that you have peaks and troughs of interest. 

"When covid came and we couldn’t go anywhere I started painting the models again.” 

Shane enjoys the real deal too and often sports Roman soldier attire for events with Legion Ireland.

When you’re six-foot-four and wearing a crest that adds about four inches you’re not going to be able to hide very convincingly. 

I get mixed reactions from my family. Some love it. There is a tinge of embarrassment even though they’re kind of used to it. The hobby in itself is very unique and niche.”

Shane estimates that, over time, he has spent around €10,000 on his pastime.

“You could argue that golf is as expensive between the driving, buying decent clubs, and everything else that goes with it. When it comes to making kit we do our best to make as many by hand as possible.

“This also gets you into the mindset of how people did things in the past. It gives you more appreciation for those who lived through that period.”