Lughnasadh Festival
Foundation Centre - Ireland
July 25, 2026
By: Rev. Noeleen Watson
The sky had changed to various shades of grey instead of the blue skies we had seen since the start of June. Even the landscape had changed to dry grasses and golden fields. Ireland's lush green fields were all dried out and over the past while there have been wildfires in our National Parks and mountain tops. Even the Brigid's Well was extremely low today.
A good crowd gathered in the courtyard and, as we listened to our Presiding Priestess Cait share about the festival of Lughnasadh, a soft shower of rain gave us a refreshing feel as we started to process towards the Rose Garden. There was an abundance of apples in the trees, the scent from the flowers was beautiful. There were a few little budding roses to dazzle our eyes. Our priestess shared rose quartz, desert quartz, and rose petals to bring us into the heart of the Rosa Mundi.
We walked in procession towards the Sacred Grove of Dana, singing softly to the beat of the drum, taking in the beautiful grounds of Huntington Castle. Here we were invited to connect with the earth or a tree and send healing towards the fires that are destroying our forests. A beautiful song was sung by one of our members and it was so heartfelt.
We all joined one of our priestesses in chanting a universal song as we made our way towards to the Abbey, this is the seat of the Noble Order of Tara, an order dedicated to environmental issues. One of priestesses invoked the Goddess Eriu, Tailtiu, Eithne and the God Lugh. Another of our members sang a song that lifted all our spirits.
We made our way towards our Temple; Goddess Persephone was invoked by one of our Priestesses. We entered the temple towards the Brigid's Well. All attending Priesthood called in their deities. One of Lady Olivia's oracles was shared with us all as is the tradition. The Oracle was The Goddess Hertha of the Norse-Lands. "My veins of Gold and Silver flow in your blood: My poles of balance are fixed within your bones." Blessings were given to all who wanted a blessing. We made our way to the High Altar where a priestess was waiting to deliver an oracle. She spoke of community and just love. Communing with each other through the energy of love. Our Presiding Priestess read a piece about Carman, at this festival for Lughnasadh women played a big part and even had councils to discuss women's issues. We were taken on a journey to meet the Goddess Morrigan, and we had a Mystery Play based on the story of Tailtiu, Eithne and the God Lugh. It shared oat biscuits to symbolise the bountiful harvest. We all held hands and each of us said a word for the upcoming harvest.
Looking back on our festival even with the threat of rain we all walked together in song, in spirit and community. The abundance of nature was so evident with the flowers, the many apples on the trees and the people we shared our day with. Love, truth and beauty walked with us all today.
Time seemed to have flown by, and our ceremony ended. There were immense joy and a sense of peace and community as we all made our way over to have tea and cake.
Our next ceremony is Saturday September 19th, at 11am.
(Please note: Festival attendance is by invitation only - to request one, see this page: Events)
