Organisers have confirmed that Uisneach Fire Festival will go ahead this Saturday May 9 from 2pm-11.30pm.
Spurred on by messages of support and well wishes after they were forced to postpone the festival, which was due to take place last Saturday, organisers are setting up a new marquee which can accommodate up to 1,000 festival goers, meaning this weekend’s festival is not weather dependent.
The Hill of Uisneach, the mythological and sacred centre of Ireland, faced a deluge of rain last Saturday, May 2, leading to the temporary postponement of Ireland’s oldest festival, the Uisneach Fire Festival.
The original line-up of acts have also made themselves free for this Saturday, and with tickets available online at uisneach.ie and at the gate on the day, it’s sure to be a fantastic day of culture and heritage. A full refund is also available online.
David Clarke, festival promoter, said: “It was literally a perfect storm on the hill. We couldn’t in our hearts have proceeded on health and safety grounds. This year’s programme was designed for families, with children to the fore. At its best, we would have been offering our guests cold and extremely uncomfortable conditions. This festival is all about respect for the sacredness of the site, the natural environment, and each other.”
A centrepiece on Saturday will be the ceremonial fire parade at dusk, leading to the lighting of a spectacular beacon fire. The day long celebration will also feature traditional family friendly activity, artisan foods, crafts, workshops, holistic healing, a heritage talks tent, and re-enactments all to a backdrop of a tranquil May time weather forecast. The impressive Uisneach Warriors will be a constant visual living history motif as 25 costumed warriors ride the periphery of the heritage site.
A special tour will feature the world famous Catstone, and the ancient palace site of the Clann Cólman, given by local historian Ruth Illingsworth. The main stage area will feature a full music programme including the Máirtín O’Connor Band, Mary Coughlan, and Moxie.
