A centuries-old tradition has been kept alive in Co Westmeath, against the backdrop of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. The lighting of the Bealtaine Fire at the Hill of Uisneach took place at sunset last night.
The only people in attendance were the Keeper of the Hill, David Clarke and his immediate family. The public Bealtaine Fire Celebration, due to be attended by up to 5,000 people this Saturday, had been cancelled due to the pandemic. "This is possibly the oldest festival in Ireland, given that it's been going since Neolithic times.
Over the past ten years, it has been revived and has evolved. "The star of the show is always the fire, but tonight that star of the show will play just to ourselves," said Mr Clarke.