SBA re-enacts pagan festival on Slieve Bloom summit

TWENTY-TWO hardy members of Slieve Bloom Association braved a sharp, cold wind at a thousand feet on Sunday to mark their annual Imbolc festival.
Michael and Ann Gleeson from Rosenallis very kindly loaned their two female goats, Nellie and Nora, for the occasion, during which the Association brought the festival Does high up Spink Hill. Danny Lynch from Rosenallis also brought his 200 year old milk churn, to symbolise the practice of his ancestors during Imbolc when, after milking the goat, they churned the milk.
On arriving at the top of Spink Hill we all marvelled at the magnificent views of the valleys and hills of the Slieve Blooms. I cannot think of a nicer viewing point in these mountains.
Nellie was crowned with ribbons and garlands. Both Does behaved excellently throughout.
Sheba Heffernan and Lexi Nelson, grandchildren of Danny Lynch, played a couple of tunes on the accordion and fiddle, for which they were given a round warm of applause.
"As part of the Celtic celebration of Imbolc," said Chairperson John Rigney, "goats were milked in the Slieve Bloom Mountains for centuries. We are carrying on that tradition. We are looking forward to welcoming new members in 2024. New members will be very welcome. Please have a look at our website or facebook page for more information.”
Kathleen Culliton from Mountmellick said the goatmilking tradition was believed to ensure a prosperous harvest.
She said the Imbolc Festival marked the beginning of Spring and it was one of the four Celtic seasonal festivals, the others being Bealtaine, Lughnasa 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.