Sunday, April 30. 2023
3-5 pm
St. Francis Room
Tickets: $20

Bealtaine is the Gaelic May Day festival and is mentioned in the earliest Irish literature. It marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. This special edition of Dublinesque will celebrate the rituals that were performed to protect cattle, people, and crops, and to encourage growth. It is told that special bonfires were kindled, whose flames, smoke, and ashes were deemed to have protective powers, and that in ancient Ireland the people and their cattle would walk around or between bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Bealtaine bonfire. These gatherings would be accompanied by a feast, and some of the food and drink would be offered to the aos sí.

Dublinesque, featuring Eamonn Flynn (Piano), Darcy Noonan (fiddle), Felim Egan (accordion and bodhran) and Hector Bragado (banjo) with a special Céilí dance performance by Comhaltas.

After the show, those who would like to are welcome to join us on Ocean Beach for our own Bealtaine bonfire!

Eventbrite ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dublinesquemay-day-edition-beach-bonfire-tickets-606013953047