A cháirde uile,
Samhain, celebrated on the 31 October, is one of the eight 'fire festivals' - Féile Tine which have been celebrated in Ireland for some 5,000 plus years. The Tuatha Dé Danainn, that almost mythical, and certainly mystical race, built astronomical devices to determine the correct dates to celebrate each one, the most well known one being, of course, Brú na Boinne, or Newgrange, which heralded the start of the new year together with the re-incarnation of their rulers on the journey to Tír na nO'g. In truth, while they were designed by the Tuatha Dé they were actually built by the Fir Bolg, the lower class bag men who brought the earth, stones and boulders in hessian sacks (nothing changes!). The timing of the festival of Samhain was determined by construction of Cairn T on Sliabh na gCailligh, on hills not to far from the Brú.
When the Gaels arrived they were happy to continue the ancient traditions, but being mainly pastoralists they gave a greater emphasis to the festival of Imbolc, when animals could be released into the wilds and procreate, and Samhain, when they had to be rounded up against the winter. However, they changed the ancient customs somewhat by determining Samhain as the ending of the old year and the beginning of the new! Many of the old celebrations continued, huge fires were built on strategic hills and a night of feasting, merriment, music, dancing and storytelling ensued. The modern Wild Geese (of various nationalities) will be flocking to their favourite nesting place in the Three Fiddles to continue the celebrations this coming Thursday. Anyone with a story to tell or a song to sing is especially welcome!
Bígí linn
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