Samhain Events at Tara

by Tara Tara Tara - TSPG Fri Oct 22, 2010 15:53

Monday 8th Nov 8pm, Astrological Samhain ( Meeting in the Car Park):

Torchlit Procession to the Hill of Tara where a Samhain Ceremony will take place. Emulating the ancient Tri ennial Feis Teamhair, a flame will be brought from Tlachtga to symbolicly light the Fire of Tara and then torches from this will be brought to Roestown, Collierstown, Baronstown, Rath Lugh, Lismullin, Trevett, Dowdstown and Ardsallagh, the sites desecrated by the M3 Motorway as well as the Hills around Tara to re energise and heal this sacred and mythical landscape.

Please join us by lighting your fire in conjunction with us to send healing to Tara and to other places that have been destroyed through ignorance, greed and corruption all over the planet. Fire Pledges were recieved from all over the world when we last did this in 2007 and we hope to have similar support this year. Please help to spread the word. Thank you.

Fire Pledges in 2007 were recieved from the following in a massive show of support:

Ireland

Armagh, Antrim, Cork, Down, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Leitrim, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Waterford, West Meath and Wexford.

Worldwide,

Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russian Federation , Scotland, and Wales.

USA

Arizona, California, Colorado, Conneticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, new York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

We will be basing our Ritual this year on this most beautifully researched and put together Ritual courtesy of Kathryn Price Nic Dhána and ask others to do the same:

Global Chain of Light Samhain 07. Photos Ken Williams Shadows and Stone

by pedant - om Sat Oct 23, 2010 15:07

Astrological Samhain : Sunday November 7 at around midday , this is when the sun is at 15 degrees Scorpio ie astrological Samhain . Really how hard can it be .You can download a free moon calendar which includes the true dates of all the quarter days and lots more at : www.astro353.com

by Tara Tara Tara Sun Oct 24, 2010 12:56

Dear Pedant,

Thanks for that link which of course I already have. As you know the influences gather a few days either side and, as the Dáil isnt open on a Sunday we are doing our day -long pilgrimage for the Ancestors on Monday 8th.

We will gather outside the Dáil at 12 o clock to hand in the Reburials Petition asking that the remains wrenched from their ancient sacred burial grounds during the excavations for the M3 Motorway be reinterred in a dignified and respectful manner. (More details on the petition to be found at link below.) From there we will go to Tlachtga, Hill of Ward Athboy to light a fire from which torches will be brought to Tara and so on - as in the post above.

I am sure you just meant to be helpful despite the tone of your posting Pedant. We are aware that people all around the world are connecting with us, there are many accepted dates for Samhain, none are wrong. Our petition and pilgrimage will fall in line with the planetary influences as will those who are connecting with us elsewhere.

Collierstown body removed from ancient rest. Photo NRA

by Tara Tara Tara Sun Oct 24, 2010 13:37

The Highlight of the Poets and Musicians event on the 30th Oct will be Kyrie Murray's Book Launch. Kyrie Murray is also known as Tara's Bard as he has long kept account through his poetry and writings of the various events that have helped shaped Tara's history especially throughout the recent M3 Protest. The Tara Skryne Preservation Group would like to take this opportunity to wish him every success with his new book ( available online at the link below). TSPG proudly supports Kyrie with this event showcasing top Irish cultural talents and are very grateful to the organisers for all their hard work.

Book Review:

Summer Solstice by Kieran (Kyrie) Murray is a collection of poetry dealing with modern themes and addressing contemporary issues and events.

Kieran find inspiration in tales of heroism, human courage, sacrifice but he also recognises that these characteristics abound in every human person. He is equally at ease when writing about the great alongside the mundane, finding qualities and virtues that are common to both.

Iconic figures and events from the twentieth century - the struggles of activists like Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks for example - are celebrated but so too are the less well-known figures. Who are Claire O'Leary, Chelsey Sullenburger or the late Neda Agha Soltan do we hear you ask? After reading Kieran's accounts or their deeds, courage and exploits you'll want to find out.

Historical events that bear testimony to the triumph of the human spirit feature prominently in Kieran's poetry (The Liberation of Auschwitz, Pearl Harbour, The White Rose of Stalingrad). In the true style of a bard he also has a flair for capturing the poignancy of passing events - the election of a new pope or the funeral of football legend George Best.

And this poetry doesn't shy from controversy either. Just consider this from The Curse of Tara II:

Our Country is rotten to the core;
There’s nothing sacred anymore.
We’re lacking morals like the beast,
No respect now for the priest.
Merciless we’d like to see
Them tied to millstones in the sea.
Yet still there is the irony –
We can be fined for blasphemy!
So say the men who makes the laws.
But hold on a minute now and pause;
They showed contempt for pagan gods
By desecrating sacred sods,
Souterains and old stones;
And graveyards filled with Fianna bones.

If poetry to you is something that should wear its heart on its sleeve; not be hidebound or evasive; deal with relevant issues and confront the abuse of authority wherever it occurs, then this is a collection you will not want to miss. It packs a veritable punch.

Summer Solstice by Kieran Murray
Poetry
41 pages
First Published in Ireland, 2010 by TAF Publishing. Published with the assistance of The Author's Friend
ISBN: 978-1-907522-12-3

Kyrie Murray recites at Feis Teamhra 2009

Kyrie's new book, Summer Solstice.

by W. Finnerty Sun Oct 24, 2010 14:25

I find it very reassuring to learn of these plans to celebrate the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain on the Hill of Tara.

Long may such celebrations continue into the future, and long may they help us to understand where we (as a people and as a nation) have "come from" in terms of ancient history.

For those who may not yet know about it, there is reason to believe that the Ancient Triennial Feis Teamhair (held at Samhain) was closely linked in with Brehon Law and with the Great Banqueting Hall on the Hill of Tara, and that traces of the rectangular Banqueting Hall structure -- which really was huge and which might date back as far 1300 BC possibly (if the Annals of Ireland by the Four Masters are correct) -- can easily be seen both on the ground, and from high above.

Visitors to the festival who are new to Tara, and who do not yet know where the Great Banqueting Hall was located relative to other better known monuments on the Hill of Tara, may wish to have a look at the aerial photograph available at: http://www.indymedia.ie/article/84352#comment207767

"The Island of Ireland, in effect, became a very large and bloody battleground between Brehon Law and Roman Law in the 1100s; and, Brehon Law was eventually 'fully decommissioned' in the 1600s (as far as I know). There is probably no event in Irish history that has had a bigger effect on the lives of Irish people?"

The excerpt just above has been copied from the following location: http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78059#comment164928

by Tara Tara Tara Sun Oct 24, 2010 15:38

Thank you for your support W. Finnerty :)

News of other events from Gavin Bone and Janet Farrar

"Saturday 30th October, 8pm. Spirit of Meath/Kells Experience. Janet and Gemma will be storytelling at St Colmcilles House in Kells (this is by the Garda Barracks, back of the CofI church). It's fancy dress (we will be in medieval) and there will be procession afterwards with the Samba Band through Kells down to Railway Bar for food. For anyone with us it is FREE, but please give a donation if you can at the Railway Bar.

Sunday 31st October. 7pm on. Annual Torchlit procession to Hill of Ward for the ceremonial lighting of the Samhain Fire. The members of our coven have been doing this now for about 6 years. We always dress for this in cloaks etc. Wrap up warm. It's a mile walk to the Hill. Meet for this in Athboy (Co Meath) at Fairgreen. We can give more detailed instructions on how to get there on request."

I have been at the Tlachtga event for most of those last 6 years and it is always really well done. The torchlit procession stops at an old well about half way up to ask permission from its Guardian/Goddess to proceed and once at the top of the Hill it is usual for a re enactment of the life of Tlachtga to be played out along with Samhain dedications to the Ancestors and sharing of bread etc. Each year is different but I have no doubt that if you attend you will not be disappointed.

by Mise Tara 7 Tue Oct 26, 2010 00:02

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by Mise Tara 7 Wed Oct 27, 2010 17:49

Thanks to everyone who is helping with this great event.And thanks to Ken Williams of ShadowandStones.com for the beautiful photo which captured the mood so well.

Really looking forward to this.

by Tara Tara Tara Thu Oct 28, 2010 13:26

Could people bring some food to share on Saturday night please? Much appreciated.

Also, for the Handing in of the Reburials Petition on Mon 8th please wear black clothes. If anyone has skeleton outfits or anything else that would add to the occasion please feel free. Many thanks.

by Tara Tara Tara Fri Oct 29, 2010 09:34

Hi all,

After some feedback it has been decided to change the time of the Fire Cermony/Torchlit Procession on Monday 8th Nov from 8pm to 6.30pm

That's a good news decision seeing that we will be starting at 12 mid day outside the Dáil then on to Tlachtga before getting to Tara so it is a long day out in the weather for us. People want to be home reasonably early for work next day. I sincerely hope that this wont cause any inconvenience to anyone. We were originally leaving time for people to join us after their work day but most attending have taken the day off and we have to think of ourselves too. If this makes it an even more ridiculous time for people in different time zones to connect, please dont feel under pressure. Just light up when you can, the intention remains the same.

Best wishes.

by AB Sat Oct 30, 2010 15:44

Hello I am interested that astrologically Samhain may be considered to be around 15 degrees Scorpio. What is that timing based on?

I wish I could attend on the 30th or 8th but won't be near Tara then, however I'll light a fire in Baltimore. Co Cork and commune via the flames!

We surely need some rebirths on this island after the death of so much trust. and old ways. Yes, I know it had to die, it was mistakenly placed mainly in the wrong people and institutions. Now perhaps we'll learn to trust ourselves again.

A.

by Tara Tara Tara Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:35

Hi all,

Many thanks to everyone for a really great night at Tara on Saturday. It was a wonderful sharing of poetry and music and easily 100 people showed up at the height of the night to appreciate the performances. Musician Oliver Tennison kicked off the night with a selection of hornpipes and jigs before the first of the Poets, Celtic Poet Roibeard Mc Elroy recited and also sang for us. With the appreciative crowd well warmed up the acts alternated between Poets and Musicians with most returning to the stage for encores throughout the night. Fia Rua, Peadar O Ceallaigh, Tara’s Bard Kyrie Murray, Morag, Chelo (who sang in Catalan) , Liam Mc Cluskey, Fheilim from Navan and Harpist Laoise Kelly all received a huge reception. At one point six musicians played at once and Fire Dancers led by Lisa Dunne provided a fiery spectacular behind them.

All of the performances were top class, better than our wildest expectations. Heartfelt thanks to all of you. Sincere thanks also to everyone who turned up in attendance, to the Fire Keepers, the people who erected the Marquee and everyone who brought food to share, it was a real banquet!. The night showcased three launches in total, Kyrie Murray’s new book of Poems called Summer Solstice along with albums “Ceis “from Laoise Kelly and “ Falling Time” by Fia Rua.

Kyrie Murray’s Summer Solstice:
http://www.theauthorsfriend.com/catalogue/titles/summer....html

Fia Rua’s Album Launch Tour Dates:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103243739742717&i...dex=1

Laoise will play The Cobblestone , Smithfield , Dublin as guest of Na Píobairí Uilleann the Pipers club 2nd November.
http://laoisekelly.ie/web/music/ceis

I would also like to thank Fheilm for his wonderful and original rendition of “Dempsey Has No Balls” which drew squeals of laughter and applause, wish I could buy that too! No matter how bad things get, if we can still have nights like that one and celebrate our culture with such music, song, satire and humour as we enjoyed on Saturday, we will have a lot.

Oliver Tennisson Jigs 'n Reels

Celtic Poet Roibeard Mc Elroy

Fia Rua

Morag

by Tara Tara Tara Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:39

Enjoy

Chelo sings Catalan

Liam Mc Cluskey, Musicain and Poet

Group Shot

Fhéilim

by Tara Tara Tara Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:42

Enjoy

Lisa Dunne Fire Dancing

Lisa

Lisa and Friend

Laoise Kelly

by Mary O'Driscoll Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:58

Hi AB You are interested in why 15 degrees Scorpio is the astrological Samhain.

Beltaine, Lammas (or Lughnasa), Samain and Imbolc are Solar festivals occurring half way between the Solstices and the Equinoxes.

The Autumn Equinox starts at 0degrees Libra, the Winter Solstice is at 0 degrees Capricorn and so Samhain is at 15 degrees Scorpio.

Just as the exact time and often day of the Solstices and Equinoxes changes slightly every year, so too do the Quarter days.

Certain standing stones and stone circles are aligned to the solar midpoints, these don't have that much documentation , mainly because people are looking for the alignments sometimes about a week too early.

by Tara Tara Tara Mon Nov 01, 2010 12:03

Kyrie launched his new book " Summer Solstice" and read some of his latest poems on current political events including the scandal surrounding the closure of Navan Hospital. His wit and humour was highly entertaining :)

Best of luck with the new book Kyrie from all your fans especially all your friends at Tara.

Kyrie Murray, Tara's Bard.