Heading off to photograph Myths & legends of Uisneach, it was a relief to go inland, away from the many flooded towns and villages in the east and southeast, where I had been recording the devastation wreaked on people by constant rainfall over St Brigid’s bank holiday weekend.
I made for Uisneach, the sacred centre of Ireland in Co Westmeath, as they readied to mark “Awakening the Land” and the first stirrings of spring.
Firstly, we walked to a ring fort where St Brigid crosses sway in the branches of an ancient gnarled hawthorn tree, and resident guides share stories of Brigid, Imbolc, healing and renewal.
We followed the ancient pathways as we passed Lough Lugh and the nearby prominent bronze-age mound, Carn Lugdach.
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At the summit, we stopped at the ancient cairn known as St Patrick’s Bed, where it feels as if the view encompasses almost all of Ireland, with apparently up to 20 counties being visible on a clear day.
We then went downhill to the most famous feature of Uisneach, Ail na Mireann (the stone of divisions), known locally as The Catstone.
This marks the centre of Ireland, where the provinces came together, and it is underneath this stone that Ériu, after whom the country is named, was laid to rest.
It was fascinating, discovering Brigid as goddess and saint, keeper of flame, protector of home and animals and a symbol of new beginnings.
I think we will all welcome spring this year after a long, grey and remarkably wet winter.
