Ready to watch flames dance? The Bealtaine Fire Festival 2024 is on this Saturday the 11th of May! It’s a chance to celebrate the coming of Summer on the Hill of Uisneach, in the heart of Ireland.
The lighting of the Bealtaine Fire on the Hill of Uisneach is one of Ireland’s oldest traditions.
In ancient times, a great assembly would gather on the Hill to witness the fire being lit by the High King of Ireland. The Bealtaine Fire is traditionally seen as marking the arrival of Summer in Ireland. In recent years, this tradition has been revived to become one of the key events in the Irish cultural calendar and a great family and community event.
Falling midway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, Bealtaine is one of Ireland’s four fire festivals, the others being Imbolc (February), Lughnasa (August) and the best known one, Samhain (October), which is the origin of Halloween.
The festival is particularly associated with the Hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath, where the borders of Ireland’s five ancient provinces meet at the Stone of the Divisions, which still stands there.
Today the Hill of Uisneach is the location of the Bealtaine Fire Festival which takes place on Saturday, the 11th of May in 2024. The festival presents music, arts, craft and traditional workshops, craft stalls, talks and demonstrations, games for children, yoga, as well as healing and mindfulness sessions. As the sun sets, the great Bealtaine fire will be lit.
Looking to welcome summer in an extra special way? Tickets can be found here, with a price of €60 per adult and tailored family packs running from €140.
