Celebrate Lughnasadh on the Hill of Uisneach

Lughnasadh is the festival that marks the beginning of the harvest. It is held half way between the summer solstice and autumn equinox.

On Monday August 7, between 1 and 4pm, celebrate Lughnasadh on the Hill of Uisneach in Rathnew, Westmeath, and connect with the beating heart of Ireland.

Treasa Ní Mhurchú of Sacred Sites of Ireland, will take visitors back in time engaging a deep spiritual and energetic connection with the sacred landscape and the archetypal energies of the Tuatha Dé, exploring our ancient past.

Treasa is a working archaeologist, holistic therapist, tour and heritage guide and stress management consultant. She is a Ban Draoi with a keen interest in and passion for all sacred sites.

She will guide visitors along the ancient ceremonial site and a protected national monument. It is one of six Irish royal sites and is currently on the list for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Standing at 596ft above sea level, the summit of Uisneach commands extensive views with no less than 20 counties visible on the horizon. The roots of Uisneach lie beyond recorded history but its surviving monuments and relics range in date from the Neolithic and early Bronze Age to the medieval period, indicating human activity spanning some five millennia.

Uisneach is near the geographical centre of Ireland, and in Irish mythology it is deemed to be the symbolic and sacred centre of Ireland. It was said to be the burial place of the mythical Tuatha Dé Danann, and a place of assembly associated with the druids and the festival of Bealtaine.

This event is outdoors and takes approximately three hours. A moderate level of fitness is required and suitable clothing and footwear for hillwalking (and Irish weather) should be worn. Care should be taken whilst on site as the terrain is uneven.

From more examples of what to do locally, why not visit the gorgeous gardens to rich history of Westmeath. The town of Mullingar is nearby, where music is a way of life. Visitors could also take some time to explore the waterways of the Lake County, and find moments of pure bliss and tranquillity on the many lakes, including Lough Ennell and Lough Owel, or along the River Shannon.

For more see visitwestmeath.ie