FREE CELTIC IMBOLC FESTIVAL ON OFFER AT
Hook Lighthouse
Hook Lighthouse in Co Wexford – the oldest working lighthouse in the world – is set to mark the beginning of Spring with a traditional Imbolc festival on February 1 - 2.
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elebrated annually by the ancient Celts, Imbolc was one of several important festivals in the Celtic calendar. February 1, meanwhile, is also the feast of Saint Brigid. The Christian saint shares her name and many attributes with a figure in ancient Irish mythology. The latter was believed to be a fire goddess, as well as the patron saint of boatmen, mariners and sailors. Opening the festival weekend on the morning of Saturday, February 1 is a sunrise tour of the ancient lighthouse at 7am. Guests will be treated to dawn breaking over the spectacular South-East coast of the Hook Peninsula. This is all the while savouring bucks fizz, prosecco, tea and coffee along with a selection of breakfast canapés made from the finest local produce.
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TRAVEL IRELAND MAGAZINE - FEBRUARY 2020
The latter includes Ballyhack Smokehouse smoked salmon served on homemade brown bread. During the weekend visitors to the lighthouse can also enjoy a tasting table filled with local foods and hosted by an award-winning in-house kitchen team. Along with this there will be art workshops - including a St Brigid Cross making tutorial with Hook Lighthouse’s resident artist - and a talk on the meaning of Imbolc with storyteller Baya SalmonHawk followed by a visualization. The Hook Lighthouse Eco Sheriff, meanwhile, will host a talk on sustainability and recycling at the landmark’s newly established Eco-Education Station. Founded in August 2019, the exhibition was set up to promote critical action around climate change,