It’s bonfire night here in Cork. Is this celebrated anywhere else in Ireland? I was at home in the suburbs earlier and I could see black smoke rising from all around. Needless to say, this night is one of the busiest for the fire service!
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What are they celebrating / marking that no-one else in the country does?
I posted about it in 2002 when I thought it was a Cork-only thing, and found a few interesting bits too. It looks like it’s got something to do with “St. John’s Eve” but then I’m sure the reason for the occasion is lost on all the young lads burning tyres and timber and worse!
We still celebrate Bonfire night around Galway but we don’t burn tyres anymore! I havent been to one for years because I live in Dublin now but it is always on St John’s night.
Donncha, when I was in school my teacher who was from the West of Ireland in one of the Gaelteachts was amazed when we told him that it happened elsewhere not just the Gaelteachts
I lived in Cork until 1960 and attended bonfire night every year as a boy.
We burned logs and turf mainly and the aroma of the burning turf always remained with me.
That is why I have now got a web site called Irish Incense.
St John’s night and bonfire is celebrated on the east coast of Spain. This fiesta is celebrated on the beaches of the Alicante and Valencian coast. It is a family celebration and also related to the midsummer night. The fires can be seen all along the coast and are quiet spectacular.
we always burn things on the 11th of july in the north, generally tyres and pallets so no nice aroma unfortunately
Here in Ennistymon we have always had a bonfire in the market square – but not this year,as the Clare County Council have resurfaced the area. It would be quite easy to provide a bed of sand to protect the tarmac, but no, nobody will do it because they are afraid of being held responsible for any injury claims.
So, a tradition is lost. If a colonial power were to do the same, we would resist. But of course I have never seen a “professional” person at a bonfire.
We were jusst talking about this at home. There are still bonfires held in Mayo although my Dublin friends have never even heard of this custom.
Hmmmm…Bonfire night sounds really cool. Never been to one, at least not in Ireland (I am American by birth).
Sounds to me like a leftover from the days of Stonehenge!
I am living in Leeds, England and yesterday they celebrated Guy Fawkes night. I know the history behind this occasion.
Given that I am a proud Irishman and also the fact that I do not know! I would like to know the reason why we celebrate bonfire night back home in Ireland. Can anyone tell me?
I am aware that we have bonfire night on the same date or for the same reason.
Sean.
Its a mix between the summer solsice and St johns eve.Twas a pagan ritual and then it coincided with a christian holiday so the tradition lives on. Either way bonna nite is is great fun. Nothing like a roaring fire to get people in good spirits.
I come from Tuair Mhic Eide in Mayo and we also had a very strong tradition
of bonfires on June 23rd , when as many neighbours as possible collected wood and mainly whin bushes (furze) and a huge fire would be lit in an open safe place. The more senior people would oversee the safety aspects. Prayers would be said in a well practised manner and ashes from the fire scattered on the crops ,sometimes bones along with the ashes were thrown into fields to encourage fertility and a full Harvest. I”m interested in any similar traditions in the South as i”m putting togather a Potato Festival along with other people in Kilbehenny.
myles
[...] tires and sofas. Anyway, the good people over at PROC are discussing the night and reminded me that I had researched the origin of the night a while [...]