Festival of the Fires is bringing Bealtaine, the ancient Celtic Mayday festival of lighting fires to celebrate summer, back into being. When darkness falls next Saturday, a chain of fires will be lit on 50 hilltops in 20 counties, starting in Uisneach, outside Mullingar, reputed to be the centre of Ireland.
There will be a mini festival on the hill of Uisneach, with Kíla, Mundy and Sharon Shannon playing. Tickets cost €30; see festivalofthefires.com for details.
The festival, supported by Fáilte Ireland, and launched by minister Mary Hanafin, aims to empower communities all over the country to join in, by commandeering a local hill and lighting their own fire. Whether it’s ticketed or free, for the entire village or a bunch of friends, ask your local farmer for permission, light a big fire and enjoy being part of a spectacle stretching back through centuries.
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