Irish Learning Community and Resources

Féile na Bealtaine

Irish Festival to celebrate the beginning of Summer 

Is féile í Bealtaine a thugann tús an tsamhraidh i gCultúr na hÉireann. Is í an phríomhfhéile í as ceithre fhéile Ghaelacha a cheiliúrtar i gCultúr na hÉireann. Tá na cinn eile  

Is gnách go dtarlaíonn Bealtaine timpeall na Bealtaine, mar go bhfuil sé leath bealaigh idir meánchiorcal an earraigh agus grianstad an tsamhraidh. 

Bealtaine tends to take place around May, as it is halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.  

Tráth an-tábhachtach do na Ceiltigh ab ea Bealtaine, agus é ag ceiliúradh an aistrithe ó leath dorcha na bliana go dtí an leath éadrom. Bhain an fhéile le torthúlacht, fás, agus teacht an tsamhraidh. Bhí sé ina am íonú agus ath-bhreith. Lasfadh muintir na háite tinte cnámh agus rachadh siad i mbun deasghnátha chun a mbeostoc, a mbarra agus a dtithe a chosaint. 

Bealtaine was a very important time for the Celts, as it celebrated the transition from dark half of the year to the light half. The festival was associated with fertility, growth, and the arrival of summer. It was a time of purification and rebirth. Locals would light bonfires and engage in rituals to protect their livestock, crops and homes.  

Tagann an focal “Bealtaine” as na focail Ghaeilge “bealltuinn” nó “bealtuinn”, a chiallaíonn “tine gheal” nó “tine ádhúil”. Bhí tinte cnámh mar chuid lárnach de na ceiliúrtha seo. D’fheicfeá daoine ag bailiú ar bharr cnoic agus tinte cnámha móra á lasadh acu, ina mbeadh siad ag damhsa, ag canadh, agus ag glacadh páirte i deasghnátha traidisiúnta an bhéaloidis. Ar ndóigh, baineadh beostoc as na feirmeacha seo, chun a chinntiú nach raibh siad gortaithe. 

The word “Bealtaine” is derived from the Irish words “bealltuinn” or “bealtuinn”, which mean “bright fire” or “lucky fire”. Bonfires were a central element of these celebrations. You would see people gathering on hilltops and light large communal bonfires, around which they would dance, sing, and take part in traditional folklore rituals. Of course, livestock were removed from these farms, to ensure they did not get injured.  

Déantar Bealtaine a cheiliúradh ar fud na hÉireann fós, mar imeachtaí cultúrtha agus pobail. Tá an t-imeacht seo marcáilte le ceol traidisiúnta agus damhsa Gaelach agus corónú Banríona Bealtaine. Is mór an spreagadh an t-am seo d’Ealaíontóirí agus Daoine Cruthaitheacha na hÉireann, a dhéanann tagairt go minic do Bhealtaine ina gcuid oibre. Mar shampla, is é mo shampla ná go bhfuil féile ar a dtugtar “Féile na mBláth” ar siúl i mo bhaile áitiúil a thugann tús an tSamhraidh agus a thugann deis d’ealaíontóirí a gcuid saothar a thaispeáint. 

Tá áit speisialta ag Bealtaine i gCultúr na hÉireann. 

Bealtaine is still celebrated across Ireland, as a cultural and community events. This event is marked by traditional music and Irish dancing and the crowning of a May Queen. This time is of great inspirations for Irish Artists and Creatives, who often reference Bealtaine in their work. For instance, my example being that my local town hold a festival called “Féile na mBláth” which marks the beginning of Summer and allows artists to showcase their work.  

Bealtaine holds a special place in Irish Culture.