Feast of Celtic May magic in store at Loftus Hall

LOFTUS HALL, THIS MAY BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND

LOFTUS Hall is the dramatic seaside setting for the biggest Bealtaine festival in the area this May Bank Holiday weekend.

A feast of family fun activities lies in store on the grounds of Ireland’s most haunted house, but fear not, the organisers are keeping things fun and light with a jam packed festival to suit everyone, where you and yours can learn all about old Celtic traditions and enjoy great food, a craft fair and much, much more.

This is the second year the team at Loftus Hall have run a Bealtaine Festival. Last year’s event was a great success, attracting crowds from across the region to the ancient setting of Loftus Hall.

The festivities get under way on Bank Holiday Sunday at 2 p.m. with the official opening by the blessing and cleansing of the cows officiated by the Priestess of Ellen of the Ways.

You can learn how to dance around the May Pole in the old traditional way between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

A May Bush workshop takes place between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. where you can design your decoration and hang it on the May Bush. A Craft Fair takes place in the walled gardens where you can browse the various stalls, see all of the artists at work and maybe purchase a unique memento of the festival.

Festival goers are invited to dress up as Lugh, the Sun God of Ireland and Aine, Goddess of the Land.

A craft workshop takes place all afternoon with sculptor Barbara Kelly and the heats of the May Queen 2019 competition takes place.

Children and adults alike will love see blacksmith Finian at work in his forge as he gives blacksmith demonstrations from 3 p.m. till 6 p.m.

Storyteller Baya Salmon Hawk will entertain with some legendary stories in her own personal yurt from 3 p.m. till 6 p.m. Sit an listen to Baya bring the past to life as she spins love stories of Celtic wonder and magic.

The Celtic theme continues with Celtic music and dancing in the Courtyard from 4 p.m. followed by the Marriage of the newly ordained Lugh the Sun God of Ireland and Aine, Goddess of the Land by Priestess of Ellen of the Ways.

The fun continues on Bank Holiday Monday from the earlier time of 1 p.m. with the craft fair, May Pole decoration making and May Bush festivities beginning.

At 2 p.m. the craft workshop opens and at 2.30 p.m. a special ceremony to collect the 1st Bealtaine dew and water from the well. These pure waters will be sprinkled by the maidens of Bealtaine. It is said that people who are touched by this will have a full, healthy life.

The finals of the Crowning of the May Queen take place between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Finian will be demonstrating his blacksmithery from 3 p.m. till 6 p.m.

Celtic music performed by local artists takes place from 4 p.m. in the Courtyard and at 5 p.m. the festivities continue with the crowning of the May Queen.

The festival will finish at 6 p.m.

So why not drive to one of the country’s most spectacular peninsulas this May Bank Holiday weekend for an informative, fun and definitely interesting festival; one which will linger in the memory, like the house (which dates to 1350) around which the festival is set.