Irish Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice

Many of our Lanark County ancestors came from Ireland, and brought their customs and traditions with them to their new home in Upper Canada. Although they were mostly Roman Catholic and Protestant in religion, some still held their beliefs in the old ways, going back to the times where the early Irish marked special days, like the Summer Solstice.

It is the longest day of the year, the time when the sun reaches its highest position in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere. All across Ireland, the summer solstice is marked by bonfires along the sides of the road, and in back yards.

Being one of the eight sacred days in Celtic tradition in Ireland crowds gather on the Hill of Tara to celebrate.

In ancient pagan times in Ireland, the Summer Solstice symbolized that the power of the sun was at its highest point and it was believed to be a sacred day. The Hill of Tara was thought by worshippers to be the homeland of the gods and an entrance to the world beyond, filled with eternal joy.

Hill of Tara, Ireland

Boyne Valley, County Meath

The Hill of Tara is one of the sites of importance at the Irish Summer Solstice. A sacred place, once known as the seat of the high kings of Ireland. All of the old Irish roads lead to this ancient ceremonial site.

Legends say that St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, journeyed there in the fifth century. As Christianity became the main religion over the centuries, Tara’s role became symbolic. Its great halls and grand palaces have disappeared and only the circles and ridges in the earth remain.

Conn the Druid

According to the legend of Conn, the Kingship of Ireland was granted by the Otherworld. Conn, his druids and his followers, known as “poet seers”, were on a mission to protect Ireland from the people of the “Otherworld”, and they built the ramparts at Tara. Old myths say that Conn stepped on a stone and then cried out several times. Each cry was said to represent a descendant of Conn’s that would become a High King. One of the virtuous gods, known as Lug, ordered the beautiful goddess Medhbh, to serve Conn a drink of ale from her vat, then to offer each of Conn’s successors a drink from her vat until the Day of Judgement.

Rural Ireland

In rural Ireland, people gather for a local bonfire and celebrate the longest day of the year with song and dance, food and drink.

The importance of Summer Solstice in Ireland goes back to the ancient Celtic society and their connection to agriculture and crops. They relied on the sun to grow their food, at a time when people lived closer to nature and were more nearly tied to the forces of the earth, water, and air.

In Pagan folklore, they believed that evil spirits walk the Earth more freely on the solstice, so people wore protective garlands of herbs and flowers to ward them off.

Summer Solstice Meal

A traditional Summer Solstice meal is made with simple ingredients – meat, potatoes, and carrots.

Irish Summer Solstice Stew

3 lb of lamb or beef, cut in 2-inch pieces

2 lb potatoes, cut

1 lb carrots, cut in bite-sized pieces

4 c broth or stock

3-4 Tbsp oil

salt and pepper

May add herbs of choice – thyme, bay leaves, or tarragon

Method

350 F oven

Brown meat in heavy pot and set aside

Add onions and carrots to pot and lower heat, season with salt and pepper

Cook for five minutes

Add meat to roasting pan, add vegetables and broth  

Cover and cook for 1 ½ hrs. until meat is tender

Skim any fat from top of broth with spoon

Garnish with fresh herbs if desired

Solstice Drink

For a traditional Irish Solstice celebration, serve Irish whiskey in a ceramic cup.

Irish Summer Solstice Blessing

On the shortest night and the longest day,

May bright summer blessings come your way.

Whether you travel to one of Ireland’s sacred places for the Summer Solstice, or if you celebrate at home with some traditional food and drink, may the solstice mark the beginning of a happy summer, with warm pleasant days and memorable nights.

Sláinte – “To your health!”

Arlene Stafford-Wilson

Member, Association of Professional Genealogists

Honorary Life Member, Lanark County Genealogical Society

Author of : “Lanark County Christmas”, “Lanark County Comfort”, “Lanark County Collection”, “Lanark County Calling”, “Lanark County Classics”, “Lanark County Connections”, “Lanark County Calendar”, “Lanark County Chronicle”, “Lanark County Kid”, & “Recipes & Recollections”

http://www.staffordwilson.com