Department 'went bananas' at hearing Uisneach festival plans, organisers admit

The Department of the Environment initially "went bananas" when they heard of plans to hold the upcoming May 1 "Festival of the Fires" on the Hill of Uisneach, the organisers have admitted.However, on learning that the event is about respecting the traditions of the hill, honouring the culture of the Midlands, and that it's about more than just music and fires, they were brought on board."This is really an arts and culture festival," says Paddy Dunning, of Grouse Lodge Studios in Rosemount, who is organiser of the Festival.Last year, he, and site owner David Clarke, provided a taster of what festival goers can expect at this major festival - the highlight of which involves the illumination of the hill by a major fire, which is to be mirrored on the peaks of over 20 other hills in 17 counties, the length of Ireland, echoing the ancient "Bealtaine" tradition.A walkway which was lined out up to the hill top with flags came into its own after dark, when hundreds of burning lanterns were lit to mark the route.Fire was the overall theme, with dozens of fire performers on hand, and with the re-enactment of an old Celtic tradition, which sees farm animals led between two fires to effect "purification".But all of what was on show last year, forms just a small part of what Dunning, Clarke, and festival coordinator, Ronan Casey, have lined up for this year's event, which they hope will go on to become an annual marker of the Bealtaine festival on Uisneach.The other part is the music line up: one that will satisfy not just your typical festival goer, but one that will appeal across a much broader spectrum.The headline performer is the talented and beautiful Sharon Shannon, who is bringing along her full big band of eighteen accompanying musicians - and who is calling as well on the services of some of Westmeath's best Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann names to add to the spectacle.Sharon is also bringing along the seanachaí Dessie O'Halloran.Another big name act that should appeal across the board - and impress people who have never seen them before - is the seven-member Kila, who have created a really special sound through their fusion of Irish traditional sound with the best of other cultures' music.Mundy, the Birr born singer who has regularly collaborated with Sharon Shannon - including on their 2008 hit "Galway Girl" - is also on the line-up, and there's to be a special appearance by Dublin's Jerry Fish.Also making an appearance are the performance group "Luxe", overall winners of this year's Dublin St Patrick's Day parade.Added just this week to the range of cultural attractions is a spoken word stage, featuring some outstanding poets, debates from some top political heads, journalists and broadcasters and much more besides.Ronan reveals there is also to be a Sessions Tent, where some of the best local acts will be showcasing their stuff."Even though Sharon is the headline act, we're putting her on early, from about 7pm until 9 to 9.30pm, the 'family-friendly' time, and she will really liven everybody up; and then Kila are after her, and they're bringing a lot of fire performers," says Paddy.The "gates" open at 2pm, and over the course of the afternoon there will be a number of historians on hand to greet and guide the festival goers curious about the history of the hill, and to fill them in about the traditions associated with the "Bealtaine" festival, the importance of Uisneach in Ireland's history, and about the legends and lore associated with the hill regarded as the centre of Ireland.The hill is going to be transformed for the festival, with the erection of all sorts of yurts (tents) and open-sided marquees, and it's at one of these "secret" locations that Mundy will perform, and part of the fun of finding him will be discovering all the rest of the attractions on the historic hill, such as the craft village - to which all craft workers are welcome to come, and set up stalls and display and sell their wares (contact the festival organisers first though); and the food area, which will be selling locally-produced food."Not burgers!" promises Ronan Casey."Where the main stage will be will be close to Lough Lug, and what will be available is traditional, local food - plenty of organic juices, locally-produced cider, pigs on spits, lamb," he says.Similarly, the craft village is to feature a lot of "green" crafts; activities that are environmentally friendly, and there is to be a holistic village, offering all sorts of alternative treatments and options.In the run-up to the festival, a number of artists will be working on the creation of various art installations, which will be located randomly around the hill, giving festival goers plenty to look at and enjoy, as well as the main events themselves.While it is just a one-day festival, there is a small camping area for people who want to stay overnight (€15 per tent) - and there are also upmarket tents available for rent on site for those who enjoy camping, but with that touch of luxury."We want this to become a national, iconic festival," says Paddy, whose aim is that in the future, there will be fires lit in each of the 32 counties on May 1, with Uisneach assuming the main role in the national Bealtaine festival.Tickets for the Festival of the Fires are €30, and are available through Ticketmaster, but also, locally, through £2 music, The Stables, Danny Byrne's, Foxes' Vegetable Shop, Gunnings of Rathconrath, Drake's and Claffey's of Castletown Geoghegan, Cunningham's of Ballymore, Ryan's of Horseleap and Larrigy's of Kilbeggan.THE HISTORIC CENTRE OF IRELANDUisneach, the exact centre point and one of the most historic and sacred sites in the Western world, is a truly unique festival site. The true seat of the High Kings of Ireland, it's an expanse which incorporates some 40 ancient ruins, walkways and souterrans as well as the world famous Catstone - the birth and resting place of the Goddess Eriu, after whom the island is named. It is also the point where the Four Provinces meet.As well as creating a memorable cultural event, one of the main goals of the festival is to achieve a greater understanding and appreciation of local history, heritage, mythology, arts and culture.The organisers say that even when the embers of the May Bank Holiday are beginning to cool, they will continue to support this and connect people to their environment, both spiritually and geographically.Throughout the year there will be historical walks and other cultural events tied in with the themes of Festival of the Fires. As the festival grows nationwide, Festival of the Fires will give rural tourism a significant year-round boost.For full details about the festival, check out the official website: http://www.festivalofthefires.com/ or join the group's Facebook page (look up Festival of the Fires).