Pagan festival to be marked by Slieve Bloom Association

THE pagan festival of Bealtaine will be marked by the Slieve Bloom Association over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
The group will decorate a May Bush in the centre of Kinnitty to coincide with the festival, a sacred time which was seen by our pagan ancestors as being the beginning of a new and warmer season in the year.
Everyone is invited to come along on Sunday afternoon, May 5 at 2pm. There will be tea and refreshments in the Community Centre afterwards.
Slieve Bloom Association also holds events to coincide with the pagan festivals of Imbolc and Lughnasa during the year.
For our ancestors Bealtaine marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season, when livestock were driven out to the summer pastures.
The Association has been marking the Bealtaine tradition for several years. In keeping with the tradition of this ancient Irish custom, people are invited to bring decorations in the form of painted eggshells or ribbons to adorn the tree.
The group recently held its AGM in the Parochial Hall, Clonaslee, and there was a good attendance, showing that there is still strong support for the group, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year. Chairman John Rigney told the meeting that the Imbolc Festival on Spink Hill was a great success. The following committee was elected: Chair: John Rigney. Secretary: Kathleen Culliton. Treasurer: Matt Barrett. Assistant Treasurer: Christy Conroy. PRO: Shane Dowling. President: Derek Fanning.