Lughnasadh

Lughnasadh ({{IPA2|lu?n?s?}}; also spelled Lughnasa; modern Irish Lúnasa; Modern Scots Gaelic, Lunasdal) is a Gaelic holiday celebrated on 1 August, during the time of the harvesting. Lugnasadh was one of the four main festivals of Celtic religion: Imbolc, Beltaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain. Lughnasadh means "Lugh's assembly", representing the last festival of the calendar, dedicated to Lugh, the Sun God of Celtic mythology. Lughnasadh festivals lasted from 15 July until 15 August. Aside from three days of religious rituals, the celebrations were a time for contests of strength and skill.

Related Topics:
Irish - Gaelic - Holiday - 1 August - Celtic religion - Imbolc - Beltaine - Samhain - Lugh - Sun God - 15 July - 15 August

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some Irish people continue to celebrate the holiday with fires and dancing. Lughnasadh is also the modern Scottish Gaelic term for the month of August.

Related Topics:
Irish - Scottish Gaelic - August

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A festival corresponding to Lughnasadh appears to have been observed by the Gauls at least up to ca. the 1st century (see Coligny calendar), and 1 August as the national holiday of Switzerland, ancient homeland of the Iron Age Celts, with its traditional bonfires very likely traces to this ancient Celtic tradition.

Related Topics:
Gauls - 1st century - Coligny calendar - Switzerland - Celt

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There is a play by Brian Friel entitled Dancing at Lughnasa which has also been made into a 1998 movie.

Related Topics:
Brian Friel - Dancing at Lughnasa - 1998

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~