“The Year in Ireland” is series of videos by the children at Áirc Damhsa Culture Club which looks at Irish customs and traditions that happen from one end of the year to the other. Inspired by folklorist Kevin Danaher and Edwina Guckian’s book ‘Sparks from the Flagstones’ over 120 children at the club have been researching, creating, directing and producing short films about these traditions through music, song, dance and story. Each of the 20 short films will be released throughout 2024 on the specific date that the custom is associated with starting with Imbolc, Brigid’s Day and The Biddy Boys launching 31st January 2024 on Áirc Damhsa social media platforms and youtube.
The Year in Ireland is supported by The Arts Council – Young people, children & education with mentorship by Edwina Guckian
Episode 1 - St. Brigid’s Day
Welcome to the first episode in our new series The Year in Ireland.
Brigid’s crosses, Imbolc, Spring, Biddy Boys and all the traditions we
on the 31st January and 1st February for St. Brigid.
Episode 2 - The Riabhóg Days
On the 1st day of April, the Old Brindled Cow is said to have boasted that not even March’s terrible weather could kill her. And so March borrowed 3 days from April and unleashed her worst weather of all on the poor old cow.
Episode 3 - May Eve
On May Eve we celebrate Bealtaine - the beginning of summer in Ireland. We travel the roads and fields picking the yellow May flowers from the hedges. Then we visit all the houses and sprinkle the flowers on their doorsteps. It keeps the fairies away as they like to cause lots of trouble at this time of year. We pick yellow flowers because the fairies don’t like yellow! We even put some at gates into our cow sheds and fields to protect the animals.
Episode 4 - May Day
As the sun rises on The 1st of May we wash our faces in the May morning dew to keep us young. It is said that if you wash your hands in the dew you can untie any know or unlock any door. Hares seen on May morning are thought to be the fairies out trying to steal the cows milk. The hare is believed to be one of the fairies in disguise and can change from hare to human to fairy as it wishes. Fairies are up to the most mischief on May Day. You might hear them having a dance with the fairy piper but be sure not to join them!
Episode 5 - The May Bush & May Boys
Coming soon… stay tuned!