Celebrate the arrival of summer this saturday at uisneach fire festival

The May bank holiday weekend has finally arrived and so too has the biggest celebration of Bealtaine with the Uisneach Fire Festival this Saturday in Mullingar, County Westmeath.

The Uisneach Fire Festival's unique ceremonial fire parade at dusk will be the centrepiece of the day long celebration which will also feature, artisan foods and crafts, holistic healing, a heritage talks tent, re-enactments and guided heritage walks.

The main stage area will feature a full music programme including the Máirtín O'Connor Band and Mary Coughlan.

The family friendly theme is being further developed through a recreation of a traditional children's Uisneach Games and a wide visual arts programme.  

It's understood that our ancestors on Bealtaine (May time), lit a fire on the Hill to mark the coming of summer. The lighting of the Uisneach fire was the signal for igniting fires on many hills across the whole island creating a unique fire eye with Uisneach being the pupil.  

Uisneach, the mythological and sacred centre of Ireland, is one of the five Irish Royal Sites likely to seek UNESCO World Heritage Status recognition.

For this years festival there will be a special tour of the site free to all festival goers taking in features such as the world famous Catstone & the ancient palace site of the Clann Cólman. 

A special Clarke's Bar Tent will also feature a traditional music programme throughout the day.

Due to the special heritage nature of the site tickets are limited and only available through www.uisneach.ie at 33e (U-12yrs go free).

 

There will be no camping facilities available on site as this is a one day festival.