St. John's Eve

June 23^rd is always a busy day for the folks of Blacksod, as they build piles of wood, brush, and other materials leftover from a year of work in the field or garden. St. John’s Eve, or Bonfire Night, is celebrated across Ireland, but people in the Northwest would say they take the ancient midsummer festival the most seriously. Last night at sunset, households along the Mullet Peninsula lit their bonfires to carry out the tradition which draws upon the pagan ritual during which people said prayers and asked for blessings over their crops. After the fires died, farmers would spread the ashes over the four corners of their field in order to protect their crops for the year. On a drive back from Belmullet town last night, the sky was marked with funnels of smoke rising from the early-lit fires.  

Our bonfire, looking on smoke from another bonfire near the lighthouse.

Heather and Róise

Though some still pray for their crops while their bonfires burn, there were no prayers in Léim Siar’s backyard last night (at least not from me). But what we lacked in religious tradition, we made up for with great company, good wine, and lots of laughter! During the day, neighbors and friends dropped off trailers full of brush, wood scraps, and cardboard. After the fire was lit, Hannah, the innkeeper, made a point to note that our bonfire was completely eco-friendly (“No feckin’ tires!) We roasted some marshmallows (provided by my new seven-year-old friend Róise), shared stories, and kept warm by the fire which burned until the early morning. Though our contemporary celebration St. John’s Eve may not maintain all of its previous religious meaning, the social aspects of this night remain strong, especially in the West, illustrating the importance of strong communities that work together to preserve traditions.

Slán go fóill!
Mollie