A pagan, goat-milking ceremony is held in the Slieve Blooms

A PAGAN, goat-milking ceremony attracted a gathering of nature and heritage enthusiasts in the beautiful hills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains during the St Brigid's weekend.
Initiated by the Slieve Bloom Association in 2013, and held every year since, the milking of a female goat, a doe, represents the advent of Spring. It also symbolises the ending of the dark period and the commencement of a new period of hope.
The ceremony, which marks the ancient pagan festival of Imbolc, is held on a lovely hill called Spink Hill, beside a collection of conglomerate rock outcrops, overlooking one of the finest views in the Slieve Blooms. Some people walked from Cadamstown up to the top (taking about an hour), most drove. At the top, Chairman of the SBA, Johnny Rigney, welcomed everyone to the event, one of the four reenactions of pagan festivals held by the SBA during the year. He said it was good to see about 30 people attending, an impressive number. He added that the weather was great. Some years the weather up here, at this time of year, can be challenging! Jimmy Rigney from Killoughey played a few traditional tunes on his accordion and a few people danced. Michael and Ann Gleeson unloaded their doe Nellie, a beautiful creature. Nellie was crowned and then milked by the Gleesons. Michael poured the milk into a traditional butter churn (brought by Danny Lynch from the Ridge of Capard) and the Chairman churned the milk. Derek Fanning, President of the Association, said a few words about Imbolc and its symbolism.