Bealtaine, Uisneach and Rekindling the Sun

Met Éireann, the Irish National Meteorological Service, says summer is not until June 1st. But the ancient Celts saw the start of May, Lá Bealtaine, as the "first of summer." And who wouldn’t like an early start to summer? Read on to find out more about the ancient Celtic "cross quarter day" festival of Lá Bealtaine, and the traditions that continue to this day in Ireland.

Rekindling the sun

Mid-way between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, Lá Bealtaine at the start of May is an ancient celebration of the “rekindling” of the sun. Welcoming back real warmth with longer days and shorter nights. It was one of the four major seasonal festivals in Celtic Ireland along with Imbolc (Spring), Lúnasa (Autumn) and Samhain (Winter) that split the year into quarters. Along with the winter and summer solstice and the autumn and spring equinox they were the most important days in the Celtic calendar for an ancient people reliant on the land and by association the sun, for their life.

Uisneach and Ériu

Lá Bealtaine traces its roots back thousands of years to Uisneach, a hill at the symbolic center of Ireland where the Goddess Ériu, who gave her name to Ireland, reportedly rests. Legend has it that Celtic leaders lit a great fire atop this important spot each year to usher in a good summer, with Ireland's High kings ceremonially marrying Ériu, tying their fate to the land.

Visible from over a quarter of Ireland, other great Bealtaine bonfires were lit from it, and local people lit their own hearth fires from them in turn. And in 2017, Ireland's President Higgins became the first head of state to light the Bealtaine fire since the last King of Ireland, over a thousand years ago!

Bealtaine Festival

In ancient times, the resulting gathering evolved into a festival and neighbours took the chance to catch up with each other after a long, hard winter. Celebrations with feasting, dancing, music, tournaments and trade ensued, not only at Uisneach, but throughout the country.

Summer Holidays

Across Ireland today, many will take advantage of the long May bank holiday weekend to unwind and relax, and perhaps like their Celtic ancestors, have some fun with family and friends to kick off the summer season.