Bealtaine Fire Festival

This year we are booking our own festival tickets and our own place in An Ghrism Glas Farm. Buy your own festival ticket, and for info related to the festival: https://uisneach.ie/events/bealtaine-fire-festival-2024/ Tickets are already on sale. Book your camping space in An Ghrism Glas Farm by contacting Kate Egan at anghrianglasfarm@gmail.com. You can mention that you are with the Wild Women NI and ask to camp by the dome. Please let us know when you book, and if you want, you can be add to the relevant WhatsApp chat.

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. The Festival is a very laid back affair with all kinds of music, art installations, craft & traditional workshops, stalls, talks and demonstrations, games, yoga, healing & mindfulness sessions amongst many other offerings. The evening culminates as the sun sets, with the lighting of the Great Bealtaine Fire!

We will be staying on An Ghrian Glas organic farm, 10 minutes drive from the Festival location, near Mullingar. You will need to bring your own tent and camping gear, but some gear might be available for borrowing. There is a kitchen area for cooking, a compost toilet and basic shower. Parking is limited so car sharing is encouraged. Each one is responsible for their own food, but we can organise some communal cooking closer to the day, if we want.

This is a rough programme base on what we did the previous years.

Friday 10th Arrive and set up camp from mid-afternoon. BBQ and campfire from 7.00pm. Bring something to cook on BBQ and drinks.

Saturday 11th Breakfast Morning: Make head crowns and banners for the Festival. Dressing up is encouraged and all part of the fun. Afternoon: Drive to the Festival site, 10 minutes away. The Festival runs from mid-afternoon to midnight. We will carpool.

Sunday 12th Communal camp breakfast. Packing up. Stop for swimming/walking/foraging at Lough Owel and lunch/picnic. Let us know if you book a place, just to keep track of group size.