Let the Celebrations Begin!!

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat

Go raibh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl

Go lonraí an ghrian go te ar d'aghaidh

Go dtite an bháisteach go mín ar do pháirceanna

Agus go mbuailimid le chéile arís,

Go gcoinní Dia i mbos A láimhe thú.

Traditional Irish Blessing

Today I feel like celebrating! Christmas is around the corner and beyond that a year of joy, hope and happiness – life is good! I’m going to rejoice by celebrating my heritage, as a proud decedent of an ancient and still much revered culture, I want to take a quick look at how the winter solstice is celebrated in my beloved Ireland!

The Winter Solstice is an important astronomical event that is marked in many cultures, it has a long history in Ireland, with many fascinating traditions. Some have been lost to the mists of time while others trace their roots back to the Celts and beyond. But what does solstice mean? How long has the solstice been marked in Ireland? What Celtic traditions mark the winter solstice? And how and where can you mark the solstice in Ireland today?

When the Sun Stands Still

The winter solstice was one of the most important celebrations in the pre-Christian world. All over the Northern Hemisphere, there were ancient festivals marking the shortest days of the year when the sun appeared to “stand still.” Solstice is from the Latin sōlstitium which translates as Sun stop or Sun still. Several of these festivals have survived to this day while others have been incorporated into modern festivals.

We know that the winter solstice has been marked in Ireland for at least 5000 years. The spectacular Síd in Broga cairn at Newgrange, Co Meath, was built around 3300 BC in precise alignment with the rising sun over the solstice each winter. This imposing and mysterious monument is a testament to the importance of this time of year for our ancient ancestors.

A Battle for the Light

According to Celtic myth, the solstice marked a great battle each year between the Oak King who represented the light, and the Holly King who represented the dark. Each year the Oak King would finish victorious at the winter solstice, and daylight would slowly return to the island until it was time to do battle again – at the summer solstice when the battle swings in the opposite direction!

The Sunrise is the defining moment of the Solstice and watching the sunrise is always a wonderful thing to do, especially in the winter! The colours are vivid and eye-catching in the sky, the air is cold, and you can feel the dew in the shiny grass.

What’s more, you don't have to get up too early, as the sun rises much later in the morning as opposed to the summer! So, all those who love a lie needn't worry too much, you can still catch the sunrise! There are loads of megalithic monuments across Ireland that you can visit, to welcome the solstice. If you’re lucky enough to be in Ireland to celebrate the solstice, here is a list of some of the places that you can visit:

Carrowkeel Cairns, Co Sligo

Beaghmore, Co Tyron

Hill of Tara, Co Meath

Killadangan, Co Mayo

Knockroe, Co Kilkenny

Baltray, Co Lout

Beltany Tops Stone Circle, Co Donegal

How the Solstice is Marked in Ireland Today

Celebrate Christmas

Although this one may sound obvious, there are loads of traditions that trace back to the Celtic winter solstice traditions in Ireland – celebrating Christmas included!

One of the main traditions is eating lots of delicious food around the dinner table with loved ones. This is similar to the feasting tradition that Neolithic predecessors enjoyed. Gathering around the fire burning yule logs was also a Celtic tradition, and there's nothing cosier than a lovely warm fire on a cold winter night, especially… and I know this isn’t terribly climate friendly… if you add a sod of turf!

Finally, decorating the house with holly and mistletoe is a winter solstice celebration too. Using holly and mistletoe can help to celebrate the winter solstice festival, whilst also warding off evil spirits and celebrating new growth! Our modern-day Christmas traditions coincide with the mid-winter celebrations that happened thousands of years ago.

Look forward to the “Grand Stretch”!

The day after the winter solstice marks the ending of shorter days and opens a new outlook for the season. Even though there are many hours of darkness in January, we can look forward to the “Grand Stretch” in the evenings, welcoming light to celebrate the long but happy journey to the idle, long days of summer!

Much like our ancient predecessors, we will feel lots of relief that once the 21st of December has passed, the days lengthen and feel brighter – even if we can't notice it straight away. By the end of January, we can expect the sun to set at around 5pm, almost an hour later than at the beginning of the month. Exciting!

Light a bonfire and have a fun party to celebrate the winter solstice!

One of the most traditional ways to celebrate the winter solstice is by partying, I know, we’re in Ireland, who’d have thought it!! There are loads of parties and events that happen across the country, so why not take after our Celtic ancestors and have a party to celebrate the turning of the year?

Bonfires are typically a centrepiece of solstice celebrations. The restoration of the land when a bonfire is burnt symbolises the solstice, a celebration of renewal and hope! There are plenty of parades happening throughout December too. There's a great parade on the 21st of December that will take place in Dublin in Smithfield Square, which will have céilí dancing, traditional storytelling, poetry and craft making. Love it! There is also a winter solstice ceremony that takes place in Kildare every year, you’ll need tickets and they’re like hens teeth but if you’re lucky enough to get them, you’re guaranteed the best of the Craic!!

So go on – come the 21st, party like you’re Irish through to Nollaig na mBan on the 6th of January!

What’s on this Week?