Conway Mill Trust

In 1894, the Gaelic League hosted the first “ceili.”  Its aim was to promote Irish culture and to encourage people to speak Gaelic.

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The festival of Beltane begins on May 1 and marks the second half of the Celtic year. Beltane means “fire of Bel” after the sun god.  When summer begins, plants blossom as do good spirits.  People would gather flowers to decorate their homes and women would braid flowers in their hair.  Traditionally, a bonfire was […]

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Always plant rosemary in your garden to bring good luck and mint at the home’s entry to keep away the ants.

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A love divination for Feb 14th: light a white candle and watch as it burns down and picture your love coming to embrace you. When the candle burns down, collect the wax and wrap it up. You will soon receive all the love this person has for you.

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Knitting has been part of Irish life since earliest times.  Some areas such as the Aran Islands developed intricate designs of their own, reminiscent of those used in High Crosses and stone slabs.

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The Rowan Moon -Jan 21-Feb 17.  The Rowan Moon is associated with Brighid, the Celtic goddess of hearth and home. Honored on Feb 1, (Imbolic) Brighid, offers protection to mothers and families as well as watching over the hearth fires. The Rowan tree is associated with personal power and success.  A charm carved into a […]

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Jan 6 is a special day in Ireland.  The shopping, cooking, cleaning is done and this was the time for the women to gather together and have tea or wine at the local pub while the men tended to the children.  This custom is practiced to some extent even today.  After this, the decorations are […]

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Jan 1-Feast of Fools.  This was a popular festival during the Middle Ages in which a mock bishop and pope were elected and the high officials changed places.  In spite of prohibition by the church, the practice did not die out until the 16th Century.

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A Christmas tradition in Ireland involved the thorough cleaning of the house.  This also included the ‘whitewashing’ of the outside of the house.

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The summer and winter solstice are the oldest festivals known to man. The winter solstice this year takes place on Dec 21 at 12:11 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.  This Druidic festival was called ‘Yule’ and the custom was to burn a log which was coated with flour, decked with garlands and sprinkled with cider or […]

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