Bealtaine

Bealtaine, also spelled Bealtuine or Beltane in English, is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of summer in Ireland and Scotland. The name Bealtaine comes from the Irish Gaelic bealtinne, meaning bright fire, reflecting the central custom of lighting fires during the festival. It is part of the traditional Gaelic seasonal cycle, alongside Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh.

Traditionally observed on May 1, Bealtaine has also been celebrated on the eve of May 1 in many regions, reflecting the older practice of marking seasons from sunset to sunset. In Gaelic belief, Bealtaine signals the start of the bright half of the year, a time for fertility, growth, and the renewal of pasture for cattle and crops.

Common customs included lighting bonfires on hills or open spaces to protect livestock and promote a good harvest, and rituals in which people and animals passed between fires or leaped over flames. Wreaths and garlands—often featuring hawthorn—were used in decorations, and dances or processions reminiscent of Maypole traditions occurred in some areas. Bealtaine was also associated with blessings for cattle going out to pasture after winter.

In modern times Bealtaine is celebrated across Ireland and Scotland as a cultural and seasonal festival, with community events, music, storytelling, and crafts that revive traditional themes. It remains a focus of Gaelic heritage and is sometimes linked with contemporary Beltane fire festivals and public celebrations.