Killeagh workshop series to celebrate Celtic mythology

A creative hub based in East Cork is inviting older women to come and explore the funeral celebrations of ancient Celtic mythology.

Over the coming weeks, Greywood Arts in Killeagh will host a series of workshops which mark the Celtic festival of Lughnasa.

The workshops, taking place on 26 July, and 2, 9, and 16 August, will incorporate writing, movement, and voice, culminating with the making of floral and leaf crowns for Lughnasa celebrations. They will run from 10am-12pm each day.

Facilitated by theatre maker and storyteller, Noelle Ní Ríagáin, the first three workshops will explore the themes of Lughnasa through movement, writing, and vocal exercises.

The final workshop will be led by florist Úna Mullin and will see participants creating crowns from flowers and leaves for the Lughnasa festival, which takes place in the walled garden at Greywood Arts in Killeagh on 17 August at 2pm.

“The Celtic festival of Lughnasa is a joyous celebration of death through games, ritual, and dancing,” explained Jessica Bonenfant, Director at Greywood Arts.

“Over the course of these workshops, women of today will explore how we might fête a funeral for a goddess, and reflect on the cycles of life and nature,” she added.

In ancient Irish mythology, Lughnasa marked the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated at the beginning of August.

Lughnasa, meaning ‘Lugh’s feast’ is said to have been founded by the Celtic god Lugh, to mark the death of the earth goddess Tailtiu, his foster mother, with funeral games and procession.

The Lughnasa workshops, which are supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Cork County Council, costs €20 for all four sessions. To book, email create@greywoodarts.org.