Slieve Bloom Association marks pagan festival with goat milking

The Slieve Bloom Association is back! After two years of being out of action the group is delighted to be back in harness.

They recently celebrated the pagan festival of Imbolc high in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

"As part of the Celtic celebration of Imbolc," said the Chairperson, "a group of goats were milked on the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The tradition is believed to ensure a prosperous harvest. We are looking forward to welcoming new members in 2022. New members will be very welcome. Please have a look at our website or facebook page for more information.”

The Imbolc Festival marks the beginning of Spring and it's one of the four Celtic seasonal festivals, the others being Bealtaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain.

The Imbolc Festival was revived by the Slieve Bloom Association in 2013. There are many customs associated with this seasonal festival. The custom associated with the Slieve Bloom Mountains is the milking of the goat.

The Association brings their festival goat high up Spink Hill. After milking they churn the milk. Afterwards, the Goat is crowned, adorned with ribbons and garlands. 

Imbolc in other traditions is referred to as Candlemas or Oimelc. The celebration  symbolizes the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The word "imbolc" means "in the belly of the Mother," because the seeds of spring are beginning to stir in the belly of Mother Earth.

The term "oimelc" means ewe's milk. Around this time of year, many herd animals give birth to their first offspring of the year, or are heavily pregnant. As a result, they are producing milk. This creation of life’s milk is a part of the symbolic hope contained in Spring.