Irish pagan holidays are rooted in the ancient Celtic traditions that were practiced long before the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. These holidays, also known as festivals, played a significant role in the lives of the pagan Celts and were closely tied to the agricultural cycles and the changing seasons. One of the most well-known Irish pagan holidays is Samhain, which is celebrated on the 31st of October or the 1st of November, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It was believed that on this day, the boundaries between the mortal world and the spiritual world were blurred, allowing the spirits of the dead to roam the earth. Bonfires were lit to ward off these spirits and offerings were made to appease them. Another important Irish pagan holiday is Imbolc, which falls on the 1st or 2nd of February.
Irish Mythology: Festival and Holidays
Mckenzie Perkins is a writer and researcher specializing in southeast Asian religion and culture, education, and college life.
Updated on December 29, 2019There are eight annual sacred days in Irish mythology: Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain, two equinoxes, and two solstices. Many ancient Irish mythological traditions surrounding these sacred days disappeared during the 20th century, but neopagans and ancient historians have used ancient records and documented observations to piece together the traditions and revive the ceremonies.
Key Takeaways: Irish Mythology Festivals and Holidays
- There are eight sacred days in Irish mythology that take place at different intervals throughout the year.
- According to Celtic tradition, each year was quartered based on the changing of the season. The year was further quartered based on the solstices and equinoxes.
- The four fire festivals, which mark season changes, are Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain.
- The four remaining quarters are the two equinoxes and the two solstices.
Another important Irish pagan holiday is Imbolc, which falls on the 1st or 2nd of February. It honors the goddess Brigid and celebrates the coming of spring. It was a time for new beginnings and purification rituals.
Fire Festivals: Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasa, and Samhain
In ancient Celtic tradition, a single year was divided into two parts: the darkness, Samhain, and the light, Beltane. These two parts were further divided by Cross Quarter days, Imbolc and Lughnasadh. These four days, known as the fire festivals, marked the changing of the seasons, and displays of fire feature heavily in both ancient and contemporary celebrations.
Imbolc: St. Brigid’s Day
Imbolc is a Cross Quarter day that marks the beginning of spring recognized annually on February 1. Imbolc translates to “in milk” or “in the belly,” a reference to the cows that would start lactating after giving birth in the springtime. Imbolc is a fertility festival with reverence for light, referencing the impregnation of Brighid, goddess of health and fertility, by the seed of the rising sun.
As with most ancient Celtic culture, Imbolc became St. Brigid’s Day, a Christianization of the goddess Brighid. Imbolc is also recognized as the feast day of St. Brigid of Kildare, the second patron saint of Ireland.
Beltane: May Day
Beltane marks the beginning of the season of light, during which days are longer than nights. Celebrated annually on May 1, it is commonly known as May Day. The word Beltane means bright or brilliant, and displays of fire were often used to celebrate the sacred day.
Ancient Celtic tribes lit bonfires to welcome the longer days and warmer weather of the summer season, and young people and travelers leaped across the bonfires for luck. The most significant of these Celtic festivals in Ireland was held at Uisneach, the sacred center of the Emerald Isle.
Contemporary May Day celebrations in Ireland include community fairs, farmers' markets, and bonfires.
Lughnasadh: Harvest Season
Observed annually on August 1st, Lughnasadh marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is the second Cross Quarter day of the year, falling between the autumn equinox and Samhain. Lughnasadh takes its name from the funeral of the mother of Lugh, the Irish mythological God of all Skills. Observers feasted and participated in funerary games, or sporting events similar to Olympic contests.
Ancient Celtic cultures often held handfasting or engagement ceremonies on Lughnasadh. Couples intertwined their hands while a spiritual leader fastened their hands together with a crios, or traditional woven belt, a practice from which the phrase “tying the knot” is derived.
For ancient people, Lughnasadh was a day of sacred pilgrimage, which was later adopted by Christianity. During Reek Sunday or Domhnach na Cruaiche, observers scale the side of Croagh Patrick in honor of St. Patrick’s 40 days of fasting.
Samhain: Halloween
Samhain marks the beginning of the dark days, during which the nights are longer, the days are shorter, and the weather is colder. Samhain, observed on October 31, was a time to store food and supplies in preparation for winter.
Ancient observers lit two bonfires and ceremoniously herded cows between these fires before slaughtering them for the feast and throwing their bones into the fire. The term bonfire originates from this “fire of bones”.
During Samhain, the veil between the world of men and the world of the fairy folk is thin and permeable, allowing for the fairy folk and the souls of the dead to walk freely among the living. The sacred festival became known as All Saints Day by Christianity during the 9th century, and Samhain became the precursor to modern Halloween.
Candles were lit to symbolize the returning light, and feasts were held to celebrate the agricultural fertility of the land. Beltane is another significant Irish pagan holiday, observed on the 1st of May. It marks the beginning of summer and celebrates the fertility of the land and the livestock. Bonfires were lit to cleanse and purify, and couples would jump over the fires to ensure good luck. Maypoles were erected and decorated with flowers and ribbons, symbolizing the union of the earth and the sky. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is celebrated on the 1st of August and marks the beginning of the harvest season. It honors the god Lugh and celebrates the abundance of the land. It was a time for feasting, games, and the reaping of the first crops. These Irish pagan holidays were not only a time for celebration but also held deep spiritual and cultural significance for the Celtic people. They provided a connection to their ancestors, the natural world, and the cycles of life. Although the old pagan traditions have largely been replaced by Christian and modern festivals, some elements of these ancient holidays can still be seen in Irish culture today..
Reviews for "Ancient Irish Pagan Traditions and Customs on Holidays"
1. John - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Irish pagan holidays". I thought it would be an insightful exploration of the Irish culture and their ancient holidays, but instead, it just felt like a shallow overview without any depth or substance. The author barely scratched the surface and didn't provide any interesting anecdotes or historical background. Overall, it left me wanting more and left me feeling like I wasted my time and money.
2. Lisa - 1/5
"Irish pagan holidays" was a complete disaster. The writing was incredibly dry and repetitive, and it felt like the author was just regurgitating information from other sources without offering any fresh insights. The lack of engaging storytelling made it a chore to get through, and I found myself constantly zoning out. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Irish pagan holidays as there are much better resources out there.
3. Mike - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Irish pagan holidays", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacked structure and coherence, jumping from one topic to another without any clear flow. While I appreciated the attempt to cover various holidays, I was left confused and overwhelmed by the lack of organization. Additionally, the information provided was often vague and lacked the depth and analysis I was hoping for. Overall, I found it to be a disappointing read.