Ancient Uisneach tradition continues as Bealtaine Fire lit

There was a small gathering at the Hill of Uisneach last night for the lighting of the Bealtaine Fire.

It is a tradition that is thousands of years old – a symbol of re-birth after the winter.

Mark Bennett of crosscut.ie made this video of the evening’s events.

He said: “This year we are emerging from much more than the winter. There was an overwhelming comfort in the fire knowing that very soon we will be back to the natural order of things.”

The people who lit the fire were Marty Mulligan, Justin Moffatt, Helen Lynham, Ruth Illingworth, Simon Tuite.

• The music track is ‘Cúnla; by Alp Luachra, from Mullingar.

• The drone footage is by Declan Murray of SkyFab

• The fire dancer is Helen Wildfire.

• Fire production by Luxe.

The evening was organised by Francez Tuite, tourism at the Hill of Uisneach, and special thanks are conveyed to David Clarke and family.