Uisneach Fire Festival

by srsly? Wed Apr 21, 2010 14:19

Although it is a commercial venture, it's not expensive, and it's definitely done in the right spirit. Uisneach is not the preserve of airy fairy new agers. The festival is a wonderful revival of an ancient tradition, and as with most elements of calendar customs, commercialisation allows for traditions to survive and flourish. Hippies conducting wishy washy rituals believing the hill belongs to them only, get out of that.

And the whole thing is being done in conjunction with archaeologists and local government. It wont be damaged.

by DRUID Wed Apr 21, 2010 18:58

THE so called fire festival to celebrate Bealtaine is being held on the wrong date- just how stupid can these money grubbers get ?

by King of Tara. Wed Apr 21, 2010 19:22

"THE so called fire festival to celebrate Bealtaine is being held on the wrong date- just how stupid can these money grubbers get ?"

Your guess as to the exact date of Bealtaine is just a guess.

Modern calendars are new fangled things.
.

by duffy Thu Apr 22, 2010 15:06

i agree with the first coment. new agers have usurped enough of our heritage for their own religious fiction. it seems to be conducted in the right spirit, the cover charge is cheap for the musical acts. perhaps official intervention is required to prevent the travesty which happened at stonehenge where the monument was handed over to so called druids on the solstice

by thegreenspirit - Private Thu Apr 22, 2010 16:18

I am neither a hippy, new ager or old ager. I just believe in sustainability. Today I made it onto the Joe Duffy show to make my case for Uisneach but one of the festival organizers on the show said that Uisneach had been forgotten and that the festival had brought it back to life.
I pointed out that Uisneach was never forgotten, that people had always met there and always would meet there but what had changed was that a business man had grabbed it and turned it into a money maker.
He claimed the festival was doing Uisneach a favor, I claimed that it will destroy it.
Those who wish to, please download the pod cast and listen in.

Uisneach on May Eve.
It is clear that one thing most people never do is to study the ancient myths.
They operate on the idea that if they believe in something then it must be right.
Nothing can stand between them and it.
This is an infantile but modern and fatal shortcoming.
The old myths however, all of human experience however, millennia of earth based beliefs however, tell us that sacred places were always places apart.
All indigenous language denoted that.
They were places set apart from the profane; power seeking, pleasure seeking, amusement seeking and from ego seeking.
By forcing these places open; by allowing them be forced open, they are in effect not just destroying these places, in time that is the only possible outcome, but they are also trampling on our old and sacred taboos.
This will catch them eventually and us too if we allow them proceed.
We do not need enemies. We are now our own.

Also
It seems to me from my mailings that there is a new movement forming, one that says heritage people (so called) can do what they like but the state cannot.
They insist that the state should stop a road, a development etc but not a long term illegal camp, a rock festival or a party they are to attend, regardless of the affects that this will have on the site and place in question.
On Uisneach they push for it to go ahead or they all stay quiet.
I cannot subscribe to that.
In correspondence with me yesterday evening J. Gormley wrote about the monuments on the Hill being protected; two monuments, just now the OPW stated the same, as did a secretary for Mr. Cowen, but it is the Hill itself that is listed as a national monument and it is the Hill itself that is being submitted on the list to UNESCO. This is clearly stated in all the documentation.
The Hill is also listed as being in state ownership too, but if so how was it recently sold?
If it is not in state ownership, fully, how can it be submitted to UNESCO?
A private site cannot.
It was like this at Rath Lugh too; define nothing; save a monument but allow the soil it stands on be bulldozed.
I no longer know who is worse; the so called heritage campaigners who run forums and sites to suit themselves or those they claim to oppose?
May the ghosts of our ancestors have the last say, may they present the final bill,

by Tara Tara Tara Thu Apr 22, 2010 17:17

I agree with everything you say except your inference to the Vigil camp on the Hill of Tara. That was necessary as a base for protesters who travelled from all over Ireland and abroad to make a stand against the M3. Without the Camp there would have been nowhere to operate from so like every rule, there is an exception and that is one in my book. Without the protesters the road would have gone through unopposed and the world would not have seen how far the Irish Govt went to sell its soul. There is no trace of the Camp now, eco friendly unlike what it stood against.

I will be at Uisneach- with a camera. I cannot get an answer from the Organisers or from the Dept of the Environment on the measures being taken to protect the archaeology or the land. I have asked for a map of the Festival Site so that I can establish an informed opinion on what it will encroach upon but so far nothing in reply. So, I will go and find out for myself. There has never been a better way of doing things.

Having recieved several calls about you on Joe Duffy and heard you were brilliant I will have a listen to the podcast. Too many are silent, not a whisper. Well done.

by TaraTaraTara Thu Apr 22, 2010 17:22

Scroll down and click the Uisneach story.

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/liveline/

by The Green Spirit - Private Sat Apr 24, 2010 15:14

When a site is given National Monument Status it carries a guarantee that people can practice indigenous spiritual traditions there. This is guaranteed.
Fires are not allowed on the Hill of Tara because there is no historic record of fire festivals there. On Uisneach it is otherwise.
Had we held to the National Monument leglisigation, flawed and all as it is, then people were guaranteed access, free and easy to Uisneach Hill, forever.
The National Monuments Office have admitted to me in an email that they do own the Hill and it is a National Monument.
However by handing it to a business man they have now thrown that away and the people who suport the festival have thrown away the right to access the Hill for free on May Eve. Try it and see?
More importantly if we agree to reduce the National Monument Designation from a given site to a single or group of monuments, as has also now happened, then you have no right to meet there at all, as you would have to meet on the monument itself i.e., on the catstone etc. This is impossible.
This happened at Rath Lugh; an ancient site was reduced in the eyes of the vultures to a single mound, the results are that a development, road, hotel etc, can be built on the land beside it. Trim Castle is another good example.
What we are in essence doing is handing our cultural treasures over to private bodies and into the bargain we are prepared to pay for this.
We are also endangering the possible UNESCO designation because they only designate sites, not individual monuments.
From now on it seems that Uisneach is just two tiny monuments on a Hill in private ownership and the vultures are in and sizing it up for a possible cement coat.
This is not how it should be.

by Skilled Craftworker Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:30

I disagree that this festival is wrong. Most people know nothing of Uisneach ask any young person and even an older person for that from around the country and most will say they never heard of it .Paddy Dunning has commissioned our business to make some beautiful and spectacular works that blend in with the naturally landscape and provides a platform for giving people an appreciation for their national heritage-especially younger people . In this so-called modern Ireland alot of younger people have drifted away from our Irish heritage lets give it back to them -lets open up their minds. I feel the protesters have really taken things out of context and are over exaggerating .They are trying to put a spin on things ito make it seem almost shameful and wrong-They forgot or deliberately omit that this is part of our Irish heritage and for many years as been overlooked. Should all our heritage sites around the country be closed due to the thousands of visitors that flock to them each year? But its the money the organisers will make you say! Let me point out this-The state makes millions from our tourism industry every year and what do they do with that money? I think we all know the answers to that. The tickets are cheap for the amount of expenses that have to be paid out-very little profit will be made if any this year-remember ticket sales are for five thousand not a fifty thousand event.

Please don't come up with all this bull that I don't respect the land-our culture so forth and I'm only in it for money.Our business goes all over Ireland and abroad promoting our Irish traditions especially to younger people and its very hard work but we love it. its of great importance to us that they are traditions and crafts are carried into the next generation.The land at Uisneach is a god given gift and people should have a right to enjoy its beauty and heritage-instead cattle/sheep are trampling the land do they not have any impact?This is going to be a very well controlled festival and any monuments of significant will be protected-most people going to the festival are purely going for a peaceful enjoyable day and will find it an insult that it is implied that they will be lager drinking louts.

by Shetland Viking. Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:55

Far to the north of Scotland we burn a Viking boat every year.

http://ukirelandtravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/shetlan...tival

(As everybody knows,Shetlanders are more Norwegian than British.)

Pure Vikings.

So long as the fire lasts for for only a few hours there is no problem.

by TaraTaraTara Mon Apr 26, 2010 14:05

You are missing the point. This festival could proceed without protest in one of the nearby fields without endangering this archaeoloically rich and sensitive site.

Promoting Uisneach is what you seek no? If that is the case, then wouldnt you be in favour of preserving the area at the same time?

It is not too late to move it away, preserve the site and still promote Uisneach and its history. All could still have a great time, enjoy the music, sell their crafts etc without this unbelievable lack of vision. The only thing that makes me believe it is happening is the backing from the Dept of the Environment!

by Rhino - None Mon Apr 26, 2010 19:31

I am going to the festival with my wife and children, both for the history and the quality of music, for the walks on the hill and to see the fires burning. What a quality way to spend in the countryside with your family. If anyone knows a good B&B in the area let me know. In these hard times, what will this festival do financially for the area.

by Tara Tara Tara Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:25

Diggers have been installing gravel access paths as well as landing and stage areas on the Hill of Uisneach. I asked the Dept of the Environment of they were aware of these paths etc two weeks ago but recieved no anwer. Likewise no adequate answer to my question on what measures are being put in place to preserve the @ 40 archaeological features on the Hill with 5000 people trampling all over it at once, not a word. Was there an archaeologist present during this construction phase ?

"Festival of the Fires is supported by Failte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Ordinance Survey Ireland, the Dept. of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Dept. of the Environment and An Taoiseach's office and assisted by Westmeath Tourism, Leader, Westmeath County Enterprise Board, Westmeath County Council as well as local Historical and Heritage societies. "

Enter the Profane Fire of Mammon. It cannot be called a Sacred Fire if they are charging admission to it so the whole concept of this festival is a hoax. This IS about money. If it were truly about heritage, culture etc it would be held in a less sensive area nearby, so do not be blinkered.

by Morrigan Wed Apr 28, 2010 15:10

UNESCO are well aware of what has been happening at Tara. All photos and video of damage to Uisneach through holding this festival ON the Hill should be sent to them also. The DOE have a lot to answer for and they should be held accountable. There is no reason why this festival couldnt be held in the surrounding fields.

by The GreenSpirit - Private Wed Apr 28, 2010 16:01

Perhaps somebody could go to Uisneach on Sunday, walk the Hill and take some photos or a video there. I am sure what they will find will not be nice. Then send the document to the following addresses

Unesco: bpi(at)unesco.org, wh-info@unesco.org

World Monument Fund: wmf@wmf.org, enquiries@wmf.org.uk

and to: euritage@i2020.net, iccrom@iccrom.org, info@denkmalschutz.de

And to any or every heritage site that is known.

Make it clear that the Hill of Uisneach is a listed and protected Irish National Monument, in care of the Irish State and supposing held secure for the common good.
Make clear that it is now also on a list submitted to UNESCO for designation as Site Of World Heritage Importance yet it is being used and abused by private people for private gain and in full cahoots with that grubby cabal who misrule us.
Point out that this cabal do not have the right to drag everything down to their level.
Please do this as all these organizations cannot be indifferent and corrupt.
Gormley et al, deserve to have their designation thrown back at them.

by TaraTaraTara Wed Apr 28, 2010 16:03

Green Spirit that has been my plan all along. Thanks for the email addresses.

by Cormac - None Wed Apr 28, 2010 19:18

I went along to Loughcrew to the spring equinox a few weeks ago, it was wonderful. The sun shone into the passage illuminating the chamber, wonderful. There was just one problem. During the entire period while the sun entered the passage everyone filed in and out, each staying a few minutes before letting someone else in to experience the event. Everyone except for two men, carrying a bodhran and some bells, who sat there the whole time tingling their bell, lowly chanting. They also set two crystal skulls at the back of the chamber, on top of the slab dividing it from the rear recess. Loughcrew was used 5000 years ago. These Pagans have no idea what happened there, no idea at all. What would people say if the local priest or minister went in there and had a christian service there? Well the pagans have no more right or insight than the Christians. The same is true for Uisneach. By all means go to these monuments if you are a New Ager but don't try and appropriate them, they belong to the nation and the world, no matter how long your hair is.

by Ceridwen Wed Apr 28, 2010 19:39 Caeri at aol dot com

Dear Green Spirit and those in this forum,
I read your comments and those below and feel moved to speak. To my own person: I believe myself to be a purist and believe that our sacred sites must be protected from attacks such as those in the Boyne Valley. I lent my support to JP and those artists and activists trying to save Tara. However, I believe what is happening on Uisneach is something totally different. I have been involved with the Spirit of the Hill for many years, faithfully lighting my small Beltane fire, mostly alone, more recently with a small group of those dedicated to working with the earth spirits. I have gotten to know the owners and the man involved in "commercializing" this year's events. No, this is not state owned land and it is only courtesy of the owner that we can walk on this land at all. I will admit I was shocked at the idea of a big event happening on Beltane. I also asked, "Why not somewhere else? or another time?" A group of us, including the owner who has a deep spiritual connection and love of this hill, discussed this over a period of years. We asked the Hill herself to tell us whether we were allowed to do an event of such proportion. I guess one could compare this to an individual receiving deep spiritual knowledge and then asking for permission to put it into a book, available to all. Yes, we know there will be elements present and involved in the process that are there primarily for the "show" and that may not have the connection to spirituality that we think is "right" for this hill. As to the day - the night from May 1st to 2nd - it is consciously not on the "real" night which will be given to the spirits of the hill alone. On the other hand the "real" night doesnt always follow our calendar. I believe that the best thing those of us that care for the hill can do is to support the good intentions behind this event. Sometimes negative energy and fear, though understandible, can be as detrimental as garbage strewn around the countryside. I can guarantee that there will not be a speck of garbage left on that hill after the event. It is meant to be a gift to Ireland and its people to help with its spiritual awakening, to help raise irish pride (in the good sense of the word), which had gotten so lost in the "Celtic Tiger" frenzy. This event is for Ireland and created by its own people. As to the money involved, if you folks read the advertising properly, anyone can go for free who is willing to devote some time to help set up or clean up. And last but certainly not least, those of you that know this hill, she knows how to take care of herself. I hope this helps bring about a bit more understanding.

by cesair - none Wed Apr 28, 2010 22:45

Capacity for the Festival of the Fires has now been published by organisers as 1500 including crew. What has happened in the last 24 hours I wonder to drop from an expectation of 5,000.
Although they have decided to sell at the gate who is keeping tally?
It is also interesting how many people are not receiving requested information on other fires that organisers claim to have in place.

by Loughcrew Thu Apr 29, 2010 09:07

Christians do celebrate mass there- did you see the Hag's Chair? It is a large ancient stone outside the chamber to the right as you are facing in to it which was later used as a Christian Altar. It has a cross carved into it to reclaim it from those bad Pagans.

As to Uisneach it is the organisers who are basing the festival on a Pagan custom which has survived to this day in a smaller capacity until now. Real Pagans who have regard for the land and preservation of the Hill do not support this event. I'm not buying the well intentioned account by Cerridwen ( a Welsh Goddeess) above. Uisneach may be revitalised by the festival and may welcome that but not the potential damage to the monuments and the land. Money has clouded judgement here. As a local you will be aware that damage has already occurred to a well known area during the installation of the access gravel paths. Why cant ye just move it off the Hill and then the ones who are really there for spiritual purposes and reconnection with the land can climb up, away from the ones who are just there for a fun day out? Everyone wins, especially Uisneach.

I am delighted to hear expected numbers have dropped but would that have more to do with ticket sales I wonder? This will not be a success until they respect the land and its magic. Our Govt didnt do that at Tara and look what has happened to the country since! Desecration is desecration and that place on Uisneach that got damaged- it is well known as a faery place so they have already been disturbed. Keep rattling the cage.

by The Green Spirit - Private Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:32

In a letter to Today’s Irish Times, Thursday 29, Joe Fenwick of the Department of Archaeology, NUI Galway casts a warning on the holding of the Festival of Fires at Uisneach.
Among other things he says that “Magnetometry has been especially successful in this regard, (to archeology) as this technique is particularly sensitive to the residues of ancient fires and the subsequent distribution of ash and burnt material from such events into surrounding ditches and pits”
He warns that
“Bonfires lit on or near archaeological monuments will permanently affect the magnetic properties of the underlying and surrounding surface soils and in so doing compromise the value of these places for meaningful scientific research in the future”.
Mr Fenwick is a close associate of Dr. Conor Newman, recent chairman of The Heritage Council and Archeological Expert. Both of them are near to the inner workings of the Green Party. They have the ear of Mr John Gormley our Environment Minister. Have they forwarded these warnings onto him? Does Mz Hanifan our Culture Minister know about these warnings.
If they do are these warnings being casually ignored?
Or is this just another letter thrown out for a moment into pure space?

by mountain maeve Thu Apr 29, 2010 18:00

Dear Sirs, I attended this festival with my 80 year old mother last year and had, with all the other different generations present, a REALLY wonderful time. The organisers were incredibly helpful and on hand and most respectful of the land they were gathering on. The next day when my mother and I went for a walk on the hill there was hardly a scrap of litter left, with the organisers sending clean up teams all over the hill.....actually there was harldly any litter discarded badly in the first place as it was a caring crowd and bins were provided and used.

In regard to the letter of today's Irish Times, I think enough time has passed in recent decades, and when the government coffers were full, to allow full surveys on all hilltops and significant mountian sites of archaeolgical interest ...... but as we know more money was probably spent on constructing roads near or through these important places. I am sure that the future will allow for many new ways of surveying land so is the fire ash from one annual event on a site that historically has had generations of them (used by legionds of settlements and armies) being lit really going to make much difference and also, when does a site become history as opposed to being embraced and used carefully and respectfully by us and future generations. If the future of Uisneach was a possible Newgrange offering to the public I would throw up my hands in dispair. So now, when a group of people who genuinely care and want to celebrate and educate us on a wonderful and important location, the issue of fire ash is concerning a prominent archaeologist. May I ask did this gentleman have the courtesy to contact the relevant organisers and talk with them about his concerns and discuss their plans prior to his Times letter and as he admits 'pouring cold water' over the festival.

Finally, are many of the current negative contributions from the same indymedia followers who gathered at Uisneach (see http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75754?search_text=tara&...=true) for a gathering promoted by your website in 2006 and previously for the Ectopia gathering in Clare in 2002 . Did these people care about the fires that they lit that weekend? did they care if insurance and proper toilet and security facilities were in place? How was the clean up after this event??????? To have all that is now offered at the Festival of the Fires on one day and with some great bands I doubt that the ticket price is doing more than even covering the costs.....excellent offering at the price.

I am sick of the negativity of the current times and bravo to all who want us to come and celebrate our past in such fun and organised surroundings. Get a grip, enjoy the day, gather and have a good time with good energy and spare me all those who want to put there negative energy out there finding a shot of some litter or compromised person.........maybe better energy would have been put into becoming a volunteer to help to ensure the day goes as best possible ......... would also get one in for free......

Be interesting to see if this comment remains on your site as it appears one other friend of mine who disagreed with many of the negative observations had his articulate comments removed. So much for democracy and the 'indy' media

Mountain Maeve

by Ceridwen Thu Apr 29, 2010 19:07

In reply to some comments to my comments:

I am not trying to "sell" this event. I was trying to set a few facts straight so we are at least talking about relevant concerns. I believe the concerns that are voiced here are valid, especially the one of gravel access paths. I have not seen them yet so dont know what we are talking about here. I can imagine they were not made lightly and were done out of concern for protecting the earth from deep ruts made by vehicles. Some of you might say, "well if the land is being used for an event, any kind of potential damage by vehicles should be avoided, ie no vehicles allowed. Performance platforms, loos and such should be carried up on foot as is done in other sensitive locations." So why dont we address these questions directly to the owners?

Do we on this forum have a clear vision of what we DO want to achieve by our complaints? Have we each gone to the site, met with the very open and generous owners, have we even thought to ask their permission to walk on the land that they are stewarding? Do we want sites like Tara or Newgrange run by the impersonal government as Mountain Maeve suggested? What is the purpose of getting government institutions involved in attacking this event? We are dealing with human beings here, not a government agency! Please be mindful of what balls you get rolling.

by Amazed Thu Apr 29, 2010 20:23

"Mr Fenwick is a close associate of Dr. Conor Newman, recent chairman of The Heritage Council and Archaeological Expert." (From Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:32)

This being the case, I wonder why they both (Mr Fenwick and Dr. Conor Newman) have always insisted on completely ignoring the heritage surrounding the Turoe Stone -- the most important piece of Celtic stone-art in the world -- which is within a thirty minute drive (or so) from their workplace in NUI Galway?

As far as I know neither of them ever raised any objections whatsoever to the new M6 PPP Toll Road which now ploughs its ignorant way through the area, nor did they (or ANY of their colleagues at Galway NUI) ever at any time carry out any archaeological investigations (as far as I know) on the vast set of Iron Age linear embankments which extend for miles around the Turoe Stone.

Personally, I wouldn't trust either of these people as far as I could throw them.

Related Link: http://www.handofhistory.com/

by infoseeker Thu Apr 29, 2010 20:56

The serious lack of information is the main problem, I can only presume Joe Fenwick only recently heard about this Festival of Fires as most of us have.

The site plan to show where the activities were happening was only put up days before the event is happening, this is unacceptable. This is not open we shouldn't have to beg for this info. Attempts to prise info form the dept of environ has been fruitless. The dept of environment have been clearly shown to be untrustworthy, undermanned and ineffectual when it comes to heritage protection and are hostile to publishing information we cannot trust agreements for mitigation of affects we have not seen, don't ask us to. Where are the documents from Festival of Fire showing plans and permission and the same from the Dept of Environment and Westmeath County Council showing any protection for the many monuments on the site.
The Ailleen Stone is National Monument I think that says we're allowed to express an opinion on it and be given prompt and full information on it.

http://www.archaeology.ie/en/ NationalMonuments/SearchByCounty/FileDownload,318,en.pdf
Ushnagh Hill, Catstone Ringfort, Barrow & Stone Kellybrook Westmeath, Legal Status Ownership, WM024-069--- -, WM024-061--- - 155

Preservation and conservation are not negative.
Flowerly fluffy language is not enough the organisers say have the proper permissions let see the details. We should have seen them months ago.

One of promoters went on the radio and called it and community event then another came on said 'it a was massive event.... on the UNESCO site'. and put out 'a global invitation' to quote him so I don't think it can actually called a community event.

I don't why such seemingly intelligent people have such a problem distinguishing between Indymedia and many different people who post on Indymedia as anyone is free to do*. There's a difference.
A large increase in numbers is the crucial difference between this and previous years, we need to be shown how this will be managed, again days before the event we have no information on what the plan is.
Promoters are known for exaggerating and bluffing as we can already see when he was when stating there would be 3,000 tickets, but Paddy Dunning said he wanted to see 30,000 at the festival next year on Liveline. (although I take that as overall number) You telling me this isn't a commercial event.

I see some groups have sought use fire boxes and even that has been refused by councils :/ is there DIY way to make them?

by cesair Thu Apr 29, 2010 22:26

This festival sought €200,000 in funding from Failte Ireland and €20,000 from each county council. The only announced approved funding was €10,000 from Failte Ireland.
All the volunteers/workers are being paid with tickets.
Local residents claim they were not consulted and have each been offered two tickets to compensate for disruption.
Tickets are being sold in official outlets / cafes in Mullingar as well as the announcement that people can pay on the gate.
The local newspaper printed a story saying that the Dept of the Environment went "bananas" when they heard about this event.
The map on their website displaying the fireweb is not geographically correct and people seeking information on fires are being ignored on the facebook page. This map would seem to be a work of fiction.
Last year's event which so impressed the previous post was not a festival but media launch. At which the local press and individuals who sought to explore the hills commercial interest were feted. It was a two hour showcase that did not require, I must assume, the detailed planning that any festival attracting large numbers to small, rural area require.

by Ceridwen Thu Apr 29, 2010 22:39

I really would like to know.

by Tara Tara Tara Fri Apr 30, 2010 09:12

I find Mountain Maeve's comment quite childish. I'm sure the people going there to gather information which is unavailable from the organisers ( ignoring emails) arent looking for shots of litter or compromised people but rather compromised land and monuments! Dialogue involves a two way process and when one party is ignoring the other Ceridwen, there is not much hope. Seriously with one day to go you expect that? We have bought tickets to get in as even the locals cant access the site due to "the work" we are told. So that may explain why you havnt seen the paths and the damage the diggers caused while making them.

If info including accurate maps of the site had been available from the beginning, it would have lent some clarity but even the Dept of the Environment who put forward the Hill of Uisneach for World Heritage Status aren't responding. You want us to take their word for it that the land will be protected ? On their past record? Moving the festival off site slightly was suggested- perfect solution, ignored. Other suggestions too, ignored.

It's not all negative either, everything about the festival is magnificent including the concept, the acts, the visuals, everything except the location.

Ceridwen, it wasnt the protesters who involved UNESCO! But then as with Tara, maybe it would take UNESCO to protect our heritage from ourselves.

And why are people so focuesd on litter? Thats easy to remedy, with enough people and a couple of hours not a scrap will be left. I would expect nothing less- surely there is a law to enforce fines if not heeded. The damage caused by the paths, stage areas and the heavy footfall is another matter entirely. The organisers of this festival must be very charismatic and persuasive people to be able to win so many over on a pretense.

Seeing the Electric Picnic crowd set to make money off 30,000 next year, the DOE may well have a Newgrange style money pit in mind for Uisneach if this is how little the Irish care for their heritage.

Ka ching! $$$ Suckers.

by Potato Repuiblican writes... Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:11

Does anybody know if alcohol is being sold at this event, or am I naieve in even asking? I've been to several festivals down the years, from the 'Trip to Tipp', where locals were selling booze out of their back yard window sills with the consequences to match, to the Electric Picnic with it's 'Body & Soul' section, which if I'm to be honest should be rechristened Drunken Body & Soul, or at least that's the direction in which it seems to be heading. I only ask because it seems to me that a telling difference between an event staged with a spiritual theme in mind and one who's focus is Mammon is the presence or absence of alcohol.
It's quite obvious to us all (I hope!) that in our national attempt to get rich quick we've bankrupted the country; in other words we've achieved the exact opposite of what we set out to do. This is what is called a 'significant event' in the life of both an individual and a nation, one worthy of deep thought. One of the reasons it occurred is the result of, to coin a term, economic alcoholism. When enough people are drunk often enough, they make drunken decisions whether they're drunk or not, as if their minds and emotions also become infected. For instance the idea that 'a donation to a political party is not a bribe' is a drunken idea, not a sober one. Obviously the money is going towards a specific end, that of distorting the shape of particular legislation (for instance) in favour of the donor, and yet it is accepted as normal. However the effect on the body politic is to give it diabetes, like giving a child large doses of chocolate every day until it becomes hypoglycaemic and then diabetic.

In relation to the above example of our lack of national balance, these sacred sites like Uisneach & Tara (RIP) are designed to connect with the spirit of the land, through ritual, at certain times of the year. The balancing of the four main elements of earth air fire and water at these times is a morphogenic process, enabling one to connect with the fifth element, Ether, in which the Spirit of the Land, and Balance, resides. Having the sale of consciousness-reducing drugs like alcohol at such events only makes it more difficult to find the still-point of the centre and our way back to ourselves.
I recall the last alcohol-free Frog Fair held in south west Cork a few years ago: the few people who smuggled in a few cans of beer stood out a mile, even though all they were doing was sitting around a fire -in counterpoint perhaps to the clarity of the surrounding land. Their drunken blurry presence created a kind of 'standing wave of carelessness' that dulled everything it touched.
Mind you the mirror principle is always at work, whatever the situation. To have a Bealtaine Festival of Fire with a river of alcohol running through it at the heart of the island hopefully shows us how desperately lost we've become.
The Forces of Darkness have effectively toppled the mechanism of the consciousness of Kingship at Tara; with Uisneach they're going for the heart. My bet is that they'll go for the saecrum next, which would be the south-east. Nuclear power station, anyone?
You'd better believe it.

by Camper Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:43

The Facebook site says no alcohol. It also says no overnight camping so ya pay €15.00 to set up your tent for a few hours for what? Dosnt make sense. Besides as far as I know ya can camp anywahere on Uisneach.

by The GreenSpirit - Private Fri Apr 30, 2010 14:37

In spite of all the controversy regarding the Festival Of Fires at Uisneach there is little to explain what really happenned there in antiquity and why.
Here is my simplified version.
Bealtaine.
The Telling of a Myth about Fire.

In mythology the Druid Midhe brought the first fire to Ireland.
He lit it on the hill of Uisneach, in Westmeath at a time when darkness was losing its power and the Whitethorns were starting to flush. It blazed long and in an act of sympathetic magic it called back the sun, missing since it had left at Samhain, (Halloween). Again it returned, wheeling up into the sky as it warmed the earth. Plants raised their coloured heads to it and in doing so growth and life began again.
Bel; the God of fire, the God of the Sun had been tempted back to warm the land.
Bel teine; the fire of Bel, although corrupted remains the Irish name for the month of May.
Midhe was know as the middle, perhaps he was a middle traveller, a human link between the earth and the sun. It is why Uisneach was called the middle of Ireland, it is also the origin of the name Meath, An Mi; the middle. As in Westmeath too.
Bel has left his name in many places across our land; ie Belmullet, Belinter, BelRath/ Balrath?.
After Bel had warmed the earth and made it ready, the feminine aspect of nature took over. Nourished by the sun’s heat, it helped her to her feet, she had her children and was eventually raped, murdered and buried. Always.
This is how people watching must have seen it. Mother earth was sacred to them and the ploughing up of her cover, the opening out of her insides, the shaving of her golden hair; corn harvesting, the pulling up of her plants and leaves was akin to rape and murder. They believed this happened and she died as vegetation died, at Samhain.
Sacred fires were again lit at the time of her death on the Hill of Ward a few mile from where Midhe lit the first fire This too was an act of sympathetic magic, in sympathy with the dying sun as the watchers knew that only it could re-wake her and bring her back to life, so it too had to be called back after a rest in death. Up until now it always has.
From these hills the fires were brought to Tara where they were kept burning and twice yearly renewed, so in a way the sun was held at Tara.
This may be why it was sometimes called “The Great Hold or The Royal Hold”
This line from Achall, in the Metrical Dindschenchas implies that something special was held there.
This too is the story of Tlachtga, of Tailtu, two tragic women of Irish Myth; of the two great need fires, at Bealtaine and Samhain, of nature before man took control and all that was placed in the rubbish bin.
It is the story of life, its essence simplified so as people without books etc could understand the cycles of nature; birth, middle age and inevitable death, with priests in the middle, careful to pay their respects and to ask for help, something always needed.
It holds the hope of a return from death, an awakening from death, it implies that we need the sun, the first God known, and that we need nature to work well because we are at its favour, it does not need us.
It implies mostly that everything has a cost, everything we do carries a price and so the less we do the less we pay.
We are perilous close to forgetting that.

by Mary Maloney Fri Apr 30, 2010 20:02

This year its on the 5th of May.... Beltaine, Lammas (or Lughnasa), Samain and Imbolc are Solar festivals occurring half way between the solstices and the equinoxes.

The early Christian Church attempting to deny its origins, changed the Winter solstice into Christmas day, the Spring equinox into Easter and other festivals into various saints days on sundays near to their true dates. This was only partially successful and Halloween (Samain), May Day(Beltaine), Lughnasa and Midsummers day( Summer solstice) re-emerged outside the Christian calendar. The confusion however remained and only Midsummer is now celebrated on the right day.

Even the so called Modern or New age 'Pagans' continue to use dates for their celebrations that are often as much as a week away from the actual solar midpoint.

Even if you take the alternative viewpoint that the Quarter days were Lunar festivals then the dates still make no sense, the fact that certain standing stones and stone circles are aligned to the solar midpoints refutes this theory anyway.

by ceridwen Sat May 01, 2010 03:58

Thank you for the comments, tara tara tara. I am reading all the letters here carefully as my heart is very much for protecting our sacred places. Green Spirit your description of Bealtana was lovely. Well I will not be there tomorrow to see what is going on so I will wait to hear what your reactions are, those of you who do go. I hope it is not as terrible as is predicted here. On the other hand the nature of perception is to see what one want to see, is it not?

by Realist Sat May 01, 2010 09:19

The situation with "The Celtic Calendar" is, of necessity, a "biteen" complicated, on account of the fact that: a) it is difficult -- impossible probably? -- to fully reconcile the phase differences between the cycles of the Sun and Moon, and b) that both of these heavenly bodies were of huge importance to the ancient Celts.

One consequence of all this is that the different ancient Celtic "cells" (in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Switzerland, France, Austria, and so on) reconciled these awkward phase differences in slightly different ways, so that there are in fact a number of "Celtic Calendars".

"The Coligny Calendar (for example) is an attempt to reconcile both the cycles of the moon and sun, as is the modern Gregorian calendar. However, the Coligny calendar considers the phases of the moon to be important, and each month always begins with the same moon phase. The calendar uses a mathematical arrangement to keep a normal 12 month calendar in sync with the moon and keeps the whole system in sync by adding an extra month every 2 1/2 years. The Coligny calendar registers a five-year cycle of 62 lunar months, divided into a 'bright' and a 'dark' fortnight (or half a moon cycle) each. The months were possibly taken to begin at full moon, and a 13th intercalary month was added every two and a half years to align the lunations with the solar year."

There is much more information on this subject at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_calendar (which is where the above excerpt has been taken from).

by Ceridwen Sun May 02, 2010 14:14

So, is everybody back from the event? What was it like? I would love to hear.

by Galileo. Sun May 02, 2010 14:35

"The Coligny Calendar (for example) is an attempt to reconcile both the cycles of the moon and sun, as is the modern Gregorian calendar. However, the Coligny calendar considers the phases of the moon to be important, and each month always begins with the same moon phase. The calendar uses a mathematical arrangement to keep a normal 12 month calendar in sync with the moon and keeps the whole system in sync by adding an extra month every 2 1/2 years. The Coligny calendar registers a five-year cycle of 62 lunar months, divided into a 'bright' and a 'dark' fortnight (or half a moon cycle) each. The months were possibly taken to begin at full moon, and a 13th intercalary month was added every two and a half years to align the lunations with the solar year."

Accurate enough for the middle ages mind you.

Then I was born.
Call me Astronomer.

Call me Galileo.

http://www.redorbit.com/modules/reflib/article_images/9...2.jpg

by Ceridwen Sun May 02, 2010 17:42

Dear Galileo,

I believe the moons started at the new moon. The native american year cycle follows thirteen moons of 364 day years. That sounds the best to me, not trying to get in sync with anybody's invented years. I mention the native americans because I believe they shared a lot of practices with the ancient celts - maybe there was even a connection. Certainly the celts and precelts were travelling to the new world way before the Vikings - see Farley Mowat's book "The Farfarers" among other sources.

by Galileo. Sun May 02, 2010 18:02

I love ancient traditions Eridwen.

The struggle to get to modern understanding was,and is, overwhelmingly difficult.

Consider Huygens:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huygens_probe.

Not to mentoin the mother-ship Cassini:

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/

.

.

by thegreenspirit - Private Sun May 02, 2010 18:54

Knowledge Transforms; Freud.

So it moved from a business man trying to promote a sacred but forgotten site, with a hint of charity work thrown in, to a business man looking for 200,000 Euros from the Irish Tourist Board and 20,000 Euros from any of the local authorities, (tax payers) involved in putting on a private concert on a national monument site while also charging 30 Euros per head on the gate, plus charging for stalls, plus charging for camp places etc.
One wonders how much he got in the end?

I say it again; Ireland has a land mass of 70280 sq km; approximately 6.9 million hectares.
We have no more than twelve sites which were held sacred down the ages and which together amounts to no more than 500 hectares . If we cannot protect these tiny spaces and set them aside from amusement, tourism and plunder then we deserve the disaster that is stumbling towards us.

by Galileo Sun May 02, 2010 19:00

Three billion years ago something hit the planet Mercury.

Spacecraft scanned the surface and saw a crater.

Astronomers called it Yeats:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeats_%28crater%29

A piece of the planet Mercury is forever Irish.

by David_74 Sun May 02, 2010 21:33

Festival of the fires was a truly spectacular event as the crowd began their decent from the hill we could all see signal fires lighting across the country it felt like being part of something really special and historic. From the security guards to the volunteers to my fellow campers respect was the theme of the day . Respect for the land, for our heritage, and most of all for each other. As I witnessed families helping each other set up camp and strangers embracing as if long term friends; for the first time in a long while I felt that I had something positive to say about my fellow countrymen. Bravo to those who found the time to attend and contribute to something so positive.

by Antonia Sun May 02, 2010 22:09

I've been travelling to Uisneach for the past two years or so. I was initially sceptical about the plans to promote a Music Festival to celebrate Bealtaine. Yesterday, I put aside my reservations to travel to the Festival of Fires with my daughter.

All I can say is that it was the most magical experience. The organisers managed to pull off what was both a very enjoyable festival with a homage to a site that is of spiritual and historical significance. As my daughter is quite young we left at approximately 9.30 p.m. just as the fires were being lit. As I drove out of the site's car park, the fires lit up the hill opposite and there was a sense of coming full circle, the full three hundred and sixty degrees. The Celtic Tiger has come and gone and finally, we are coming to our senses reaching back into our past to salvage that which has been lost and which must be remembered if we are to pull through these chaotic times.

i salute the festival organiser and the land-owner both of whom addressed the crowds and who clearly love and respect the land. The facilities on site were excellent, story-tellers positioned at each significant location ready to share their site knowledge with festival goers. Volunteers on horse-back in traditional costume added to the atmospher of "other worldliness". By our presence we were invited to share in the celebration of a very, very special, sacred place.

As for damaging the land in some way, the site has been there for eons and a couple of thousand people spread over a very large area of land would have had as much effect as a fly landing on a cow's back.

by ceridwen Mon May 03, 2010 00:26

Dear David and Antonia,

I am glad to hear this. I havent heard from any of the opposers who were supposedly going to expereience May Day at Uisneach first hand so I wont take them seriously until they report back with facts from the event itself .

Ceridwen

by Tara Tara Tara Mon May 03, 2010 16:51

I was pleasantly surprised in many ways. It was obvious that a lot of thought and work went into the presentation. For most of the day there only seemed to be a couple of hundred people scattered all over the Hill. I'm sure many were hiding from the torrential rain but it cleared up by evening time. There werent that many stalls, maybe about 30 but there were some nice hut constructions and willow sculptures as well as Angel figures and general artistic pieces of interest dotted here and there. Some archaeological features were completly inacessible, protected by willow walls. Others were highlighted with lighting for when night fell so that people would be aware of them and in general they tended to stay away distracted by other activities anyway.

Numbers didnt start to increase slowly until after 5pm but it wasnt until after dark when the fires were lit that people congregated from every direction and a truer guess at a head count was possible. There was easily 3000 maybe even up to 4000 there by the end of the night. We heard they were giving out free tickets in the pubs down the town at closing time. There were no brawls just high spirits with everyone enjoying the music, the Fires etc.

In a few days no one will know there was a festival there as a massive clean up was underway from early on. The gravel pathways were set down on top of the earth rather than dug into it and I never found the area that was supposedly damaged. Having said all that, the main fires were constructed on the ground rather than in containers and as nice as everything was, I wouldnt support this festival ON the Hill when the owner of the land owns hundreds of acres around it. I dont think anyone would have an objection to staging it nearby in the future and it would be a safer more respectful way to go about it next time. The locals we spoke to were very much in favour of putting "Uisneach on the map" whatever way possible.

I agree with what the Green Spirit has said above and I wont change my mind on that. This IS a commercial venture. Perhaps whatever concerns we have had and whatever debate all this has sparked off may influence how and where it is held next year because if they really expect 30,000 even 10,000 then Uisneach would DEFINITELY be in trouble, I have no doubt about that.

Willow Woman

Some Stalls

Tara Stall

Gravel Path

Warriors

by Tara Tara Tara Mon May 03, 2010 17:06

The worst I saw there were the two top pics here. I dont know if the lake is polluted by fetiliser or algae and I wasnt too sure about the cooking pit but compared to the enormous fires theres not much competition.

Pollution?

Pig 'n Pit

Horse Play

Willow Sculptures

White Bull v Brown Bull

by Tara Tara Tara Mon May 03, 2010 17:09

Procession and Fire

by Tara Tara Tara Mon May 03, 2010 17:15

Thats it from me. Good and bad. Not all negative at all but I hope the warning will be heeded and our sacred sites will remain intact to survive this generation at least and hopefully to span thousands more years to come.

by ceridwen Mon May 03, 2010 23:03

Dear Tara, Tara, Tara,

Thank you for the pictures. I must admit your report was very objective. Thank you.

PS I dont think the green stuff was pollution.

by MacGreine - None Tue May 04, 2010 09:36

I must say the greenspirit seems a bit of a fundamentalist so I doubt if he attended.
We should not wait for his assessment.
Tara Tara Tara says that there were three-four thousand people there but was the concert not supposed to be limited to 1500? So much for that.
The money issue definitely should be investigated, it might mean that people paid for it regardless of being there or not.
As we now live in a world that seems to be “utilities only”, I personally think that these sites will be sold off to benefit someone soon. The more broke we become the more offers may pour in?
Bread and circuses have always been used to keep people happy.
McGreine.

by Morrigan Tue May 04, 2010 10:01

I thank the Green Spirit for opening up the debate, all his comments were very interesting and very valid. I would just like to point out to MacGreine that the State had the opportunity to purchase Uisneach in 1988 but did not and it fell into private ownership. Despite placing it on the tentative list this year for UNESCO World Heritage Status it would seem by the lack of information available from the Dept Of the Environment that there is little they can do to prevent another Festival. I was there on Saturday night, I enjoyed the event despite initial concerns but I would have to say that Uisneach would not be able to accomodate safely many more people than what turned up.

I wonder if we will be able to access the report of the on site Archaeologist who was doing the survey? Not that I saw any evidence of his presence on the day. Unless it is favourable to the organisers of the Festival no one in the DOE will be forthcoming. They look like big enough prats already.

by Maeve. Tue May 04, 2010 15:13

The big garish displays of pseudo-history are a bit much all right.

I used to think that Machnas in Galway were the most over-the-top garish pseuds in Ireland.

(Machnas have about as much to do with Irish Culture as do this bunch.)

Mind you, Machnas do not dig pits in Archaeological sites.

by Technologist. Tue May 04, 2010 16:32

Machnas depends on ultra modern tough resilient modern plastic-rubber combinations.
Much the same as is used by the coast guard in their tough dinghies.

Nothing to do with the ancients.
Machnas are walking Bouncy Castles..
.

by Bruce Fri May 07, 2010 12:41

I feel very lucky to have been on uisneach hill on saturday, it was a fantastic feeling to be surounded by all the fire. There was a great feeling of coming together with young old alike having fun, laughing smiling and generally enjoying themselves. While the people were celebrating they were also learning a little about their heritage, and hopefully getting a bit more connected with the land. The sacredness of the place I felt was respected by the organisers and after returning two days later I was pleasantly surprised to see how quickly the land was healing itself, There was very little litter remaining ( a team were just finishing removing the last). They may have been a mistake or two, but I think the intention of David Clarke and other's was to revive a festival for the people, where young and old alike can gather and learn from each other, I know over the last year he has been concerned as to wether he is doing the right thing or not, he holds the place as very sacred himself. The festival has been restarted because of this reason, an ancient festival where the ancestors gathered, the whole comunity, where the played music, sung and danced and burned the beltaine fires, unfortunately in this day and age it all costs money....................so someone has to pay.
David did tell me if people want to donate time rather than money, the option is there, a little help goes a long way.

by Tara Tara Tara Sun May 09, 2010 12:15

I have found out that under the fires, layers and layers of compacted gravel were put in place to protect the land and that dry rotted wood was used nearest the earth so that the heat would be less intense. Hope that helps.

Also news that next years festival will be a 2-3 day event! However the farmer is willing to move the main stage area down near the Lodge so that the bulk of the crowds remain low on the hill. He is open to negotiation apparently. Maybe a solution can be found afterall.

by Lizzy Tue May 11, 2010 16:10

It’s been more than 1,500 years since fires were lit on hilltops to welcome the summer. MICHAEL HARDING climbed Uisneach in Westmeath to witness the tradition return

ON THE WAY up the hill there was a young man ahead of me, wearing sandals and a cloak. He had a fake hatchet and sword strapped to his back. His companion looked like an apache squaw in a blanket. Three boys from Ratharney drank from cans of Druids’ cider, and a helicopter circled the hill.

Four horses passed us, their riders cloaked in maroon blankets, their faces painted black. At the top of the hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath there is a vast saucer-shaped meadow, of more than 40 acres, which was dotted with wicker huts, wigwams, and sculptures of horses and other creatures, made from willow rods. There were stalls selling cider, and roasted pig, potato cakes and rashers. There was a vegetarian soup, a bouncy castle, and hundreds of people eating sausages, and listening to Sharon Shannon.

A motorized glider with blue wings crossed the sky. There was a tent for tattoos and a crannóg on stilts in a pond, and children were running everywhere.

Everyone was unwinding. Phoning each other. Eating bacon. Looking for music sessions. There were ribbons on a hawthorn bush in the middle of a clump of stones.

At 9.30pm the crowd gathered on the highest point of the hill, around a pile of wood that reached 30 feet into the sky and the main act of the drama began.

The red sun was just setting, as a procession of fire dancers with flaming torches, lanterns and masks, came up the slope; fire- throwers and drummers leading the way.

This was nothing like the street parades at arts festivals, where children dress as exotic fish, or dragons from China. This was indigenous, and pagan.

The darkness deepened. The fire dancers approached the top of the hill.

In Greek terms, a conflict between darkness and light was being played out before our eyes.

An invisible antagonist haunted the sky, with the threat of rain, and then enveloped the Earth in darkness. The protagonist was the flame; a source of hope.

And the ordinary folk on the hill were a witnessing chorus. It was as if everyone wanted to remember something other than the dull orthodoxy of Christian history. As if they were reaching back, beyond Corpus Christi days, or Lady days, patterns or pilgrimages, or Bilberry Sundays, to recover a more ancient memory from the collective unconscious; some wild night 1,500 years ago when fires were lit on Uisneach to herald in the summer season, and to invoke good fortune, good crops and a good harvest.

When the stack of wood ignited, the crowd cheered, and the young people found places to sit down; enchanted, in love, or just dazed by the magic of the leaping flames.

Summer had been inaugurated. People sat around the fire as if some fragment of eternity had broken through the night, for everyone.

Teenagers wrapped in blankets, gazed at each other, full of desire, as if they had stepped, not just into summer, but through a portal to some magical “now”, where they were about to enjoy the time of their lives.

Being old, I left them there and walked back down the path, where sculpted angels stood in line with outstretched wings. I passed a boy and girl hugging each other at an upturned barrel of flames, their faces lit like something from Carravaggio’s dreams.

Even as I got into the jeep at the foot of the hill I could hear the screech of the uileann pipes above, tearing the darkness asunder, and far above me, a paper lantern holding a tiny flickering flame, floated in the night sky.

by infoseeker Wed May 12, 2010 04:13

we still have very little detailed information we were looking for.

by John Coleman(Clann Cholmáin) Fri Aug 27, 2010 03:17 johngacoleman at yahoo dot com Gurteenroe, Firies, Killarney. 0872874743

The private owner of the Hill of Uisneach comes a good place, as far as I am concerned. Haven met him I thought he was a nice man. I hope to be there for it next year.

by Sacred Sites of Ireland Fri Aug 27, 2010 09:49

Your timing is impeccable Mr Coleman. This reply was only received in the last few days. Funny how it came up again on Indy after so long.

Dear x,

I have been asked by Mr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government to refer further to your
email in connection with REP2556/JG/10.

The Hill of Uisneach is not a national monument and is in private
ownership. Two sites, however, located within the archaeological complex
of the Hill, are in the ownership of the Minister and, prior to the
festival taking place, the Department advised the festival organisers
with regard to protection of these sites.

The organisers were requested to ensure a constant security presence at
the location in order to prevent any inappropriate activity in the
vicinity of the sites. Furthermore, an archaeologist from the
Department’s National Monuments Service carried out an inspection of
the site on Sunday as soon as the festival had ended. This assessment is
currently being examined and will determine the future accessibility of
the site for any similar events in the future.

Yours sincerely,

________________
Eddie Kiernan,
Private Secretary

by Lawyer. Sat Aug 28, 2010 13:26

"Are in the ownership of the Minister."

Amazing how those political riff-raff claim personal ownership.

The government can issue a "Compulsory Purchase Order" at any time.