Celebration of St John’s Eve

For thousands of years Fires have been lit on the Summer Solstice to celebrate the longest day of the year and like the fires of Samhain(Halloween) and Bealtaine (May Day), the Celtic fires symbolised protection, fertility, and purification. Christianity later absorbed the custom, giving it religious meaning and the fires became synonymous in Ireland with the Feast of St John. For centuries now Fires have been  held on the 23rd June in honour of Saint John and by the 18th and 19th centuries, bonfires were major rural social events, with dancing, blessings, and rituals for crops and livestock. People believed the flames brought luck and warded off harm. The tradition declined in the 20th century due to social change and regulation, but we plan to reignite this ancient practice this year on the evening of Tuesday the 23rd June at Droim nDamh Nature Reserve.

As part of this celebration we’re hosting a Collar and Elbow Wrestling exhibition/ tournament open to all Yodha members before gathering to watch the fire being lit for the first time in decades.