Saint John's Eve in Spancil Hill, Co. Clare, Ireland 1979
Ойын-сауық
Ancient customs are alive in Clare as a great bonfire is lit near Spancil Hill on Saint John’s Eve.
The Nativity of John the Baptist is a Christian feast day celebrated on 24 June. The preceding night, St John’s Eve is known in many parts of Ireland as Bonfire Night. It is marked by the construction of large fires throughout the countryside harking back to a pre-Christian era of fire and sun worship. Bonfires are lit at sundown and local people participate in festivities such as traditional music and dancing.
Radio and television broadcaster Ciarán Mac Mathúna visits County Clare to experience the traditions associated with St John the Baptist. Near Spancil Hill he chats with two elderly bonfire builders, brothers Joe and Paddy McNamara. Since he was a boy, Joe McNamara has lit the fire opposite his home every year. It was his parent’s wish for the tradition of the bonfire to be continued on the same spot that has seen a fire for generations.
It was part of living if you like, it was part of our daily lives, St John’s fire.
Junior Crehan of Mullagh in County Clare says because of the light evenings at midsummer, the cattle would come close to the lit bonfire. Nobody would move them because it meant the cows would have St John’s blessing which would bring them luck in calving and milk production. He recalls the atmosphere around the bonfire,
Boys and girls would gather there and fiddles, flutes, concertinas and the dance sets and there’d be few songs.
The Spancil Hill Horse Fair begins on St John’s Eve and all the news from the Fair would be shared around at the bonfire.
You needn’t have been at the Fair at all, you’d get all the information at the fire.
Ciarán Mac Mathúna wonders whether the midsummer gathering will survive in years to come in an ever changing Europe. But he decides,
"All we can do now at the end of another midsummer is to re-echo the words of the Irish prayer, go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo arís, may we all be alive and well at the same time next year."
‘Fires of St John: Midsummer in County Clare’ was broadcast on 19 June 1979. The presenter is Ciarán Mac Mathúna.
Пікірлер: 31
Spancil Hill, great song. Especially the Christy and Shane version. Thanks very much. Cheers from san Diego.
Man, what have we lost, RIP old Ireland.
@calftobeefwexfordpaul1482
3 жыл бұрын
Political correctness, hyper liberlism, influx of European Union and many more issues have unfortunately destroyed our once amazing nation of friendliness,helpfulness and warm approach to everyone
@MrRaglanroad
3 жыл бұрын
we have lost alot more than we have gained
@Discover-Ireland
3 жыл бұрын
I say that too when I’m out capturing the old ways and buildings.
@jakmak1199
3 жыл бұрын
@@Discover-Ireland yup, soul food.
@Sinnerboy88
3 жыл бұрын
Good old Rory Gallagher there another one we have lost.
Shur no one can build a bonfire like a banner man 🤘
When times were pure
great times to be free
Lughnasadh...a great festival!
Yes we do the same in Spain, people jump over the bonfire, walk over ashes or throw old stuff to the fire to make space for the new. We take moonlit sea bathes as well. It's an interesting tradition because it seems like an "end of year" thing when it really is in the Summer. I guess solstices and equinoxes were really highlighted by ancient populations.
Wonderful!
Those were the god days, I have been told that you are not allowed to light bonfires at the crossroads anymore, Many years ago, after my brother was ordained a priest, he returned back to visit our home in Ireland and for the last several miles of his journey home, large bonfire was lit along the route, people holding up forks and burning sods of turf standing along the road as he passed by, what a most beautiful welcome home that was, For over 40 years my brother has worked with some of the poorest people in the world, helping to dig water wells, build storage tanks to collect rainwater, building hospitals, schools, teaching trades and given hope and skills to forgotten people..
Missing my trip home again this year. Sláinte Éirinn Go Brách
Today, the smart phones would keep you warm....
❤️
Great days. 👍
They would have a a story or 2 to tell that's for sure.
I didn't know Danny Glover was 60 years old
The Green Groves of Erin......Salty!
The church replaced the old pagan fire celebration of the Summer solstice by renaming it St John's night..
@BlueSkyLtd.
Жыл бұрын
Keep The Old Pagan Ways today! 🌝❕️
@cing9545
9 ай бұрын
I am a Spaniard and I know, otherwise there is no explanation for the rites.
0:50 washing his hands over covid 😂 Anyway great video 👍
@rabc1558
3 жыл бұрын
He only washes them once a year before the fire 😁