All the fun of a Lughna' landing

Lughnasa heralds the commencement of autumn followed by Samhain for winter, Imbolg for spring and Bealtaine for summer

- BY SEAN MURPHY

TODAY marks Lughnasa, one of four ancient Celtic festivals, with August 1 signalling the beginning of the harvest season.

Fruit festivals held on Lughnasa since the 15th century celebrated the god Lugh and are marked by hill walking and fairs.

Here, we look at the traditions, history, significance and cultural references of Lughnasa, or 'the gathering of Lugh'...

Lughnasa, which marks the midway point between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox, is known as a key ancient Celtic festivals, along with Bealtaine and Imbolc, or St Brigid's Day, and Samhain.

DRINK

One of Ireland's best known plays is centred around the day, Brian Friel's Dancing At Lughnasa, and the famous Puck Fair in Kerry is also linked to this most ancient of Irish celebrations.

Traditionally, there have been food and drink and sport, and couples would try to conceive which links to the An Puck fertility festival at Killorglin in the Kingdom.

A goat is a VIP for three days and nights amid drinking and dancing in a bid for intimacy at a fair that is reputed to be the oldest in Ireland.