Bealtaine, Uisneach, and Rekindling the Sun
Written by Ciaran on Apr. 21, 2026 | 0 Comments
Met Éireann, the Irish National Meteorological Service, says offical summer is not until June 1st. But the ancient Celts saw the start of May, Lá Bealtaine, as the "first of summer." Who wouldn’t like an early start to summer?
Read on to find out more about the ancient festival of Lá Bealtaine, and the traditions that continue to this day in Ireland.
Sunrise at the Beltany stone circle in Co Donegal. This Bronze age stone monument is up to 4000 years old with the name "Beltany" originating from Bealtaine. It features an outlier stone to the southeast, suggesting alignment with solar events or sunrise-related rituals. An Iron Age stone head found here further suggests ritual use of this site for several millennia.
Photo Credit: Gareth Wray (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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 some real warmth and longer days.
It was one of the major seasonal festivals in Ireland long ago, together with Imbolc (Spring), Lúnasa (Autumn) and Samhain (Winter) that split the year into four quarters.
Along with the winter and summer solstice and the autumn and spring equinox, these were the most important days in the Celtic calendar for an ancient people reliant on the land and by association the sun, for their survival.
Uisneach and Ériu, Mother Ireland
Lá Bealtaine traces its roots back thousands of years to Uisneach, a hill at the symbolic center of Ireland where the Goddess Ériu, she who gave her name to Ireland, reportedly rests. With a name that means 'plentiful' or ‘abundant,’ Ériu was a queen, representing the verdant land on which she lived.
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, the "Mother Goddess," tying their fate to the land.
A statue of Ériu created by artist Patsy Preston on the Hill of Uisneach.
It seems that this is more than just a story too, with archaeological excavations at the site uncovering the extensive remains of a large ritual site over 2 square KM including a "royal palace" and ceremonial fires.
The flames from these fires on this hilltop would have been visible from over a quarter of Ireland. Other great Bealtaine bonfires were lit from it, with local people lighting their own hearth fires from them in turn.
This tradition carried on for many centuries only dying out in the 20th century. Happily it was rekindled, if you will excuse the pun, in 2017, when 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
Long ago, the Bealtaine gathering evolved into a festival and neighbours took the chance to catch up with each other after a long winter. Celebrations with feasting, dancing, music, tournaments and trade ensued, not only at the great fire at Uisneach, but throughout the country.
Start of the Summer Holidays
Across Ireland these days, 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.
Continuing Celtic Traditions
And we continue Celtic Traditions in our own way through stunning Celtic Jewelry design and craft. Check out our extensive range of Celtic and Irish Jewelry.
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Ciaran
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!
I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!
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