Notes W/E December 26 2009

Comhbhrón


It was with sadness that members of Castleconnell ICA heard of the recent death of their neighbour, friend and former colleague Catherine Hyland RIP.A native of Dublin, Catherine (nee Carroll) resided with her husband John in Bog Road, Castleconnell and was a committed ICA member for a considerable number of years participating in many activities including drama and set dancing. She is deeply mourned by her husband John, son, daughters, extended family, friends and neighbours to whom condolences are extended. Her funeral took place, following Requiem Mass in Castleconnell Church on Wednesday December 16 to Stradbally Cemetery, Castleconnell.

Ní imithe uainn,ach imithe rómhainn
The Winter Solstice


So you got a bit of a stagger recently which you attributed to a bit too much testing of the sherry for the trifle? Well, the good news is that, no, that was due to the fact that the earth is tilted at its maximum away from the sun- hence the short days. So surely you can be excused for the stagger! The shortest day ( December 21) has been long noted by various peoples and for as long as five thousand years in Ireland, it has given cause for celebration. These celebrations are mainly to ensure that the gods will reverse the cycle of darkness and ensure a lengthening of days- the ‘cock’s step’ as many called it. The Christian churches were also in tune with astronomy and every time you face the altar to celebrate the coming of Christ, you face the east and the rising of the source of light, the sun. If your church doesn’t face the east it is probably for some local geographical feature. The marking of the solstice is spectacularly noted by the amazing tomb of Newgrange in Co. Louth, that is when clear skies permit. The astronomical arrangement of this burial chamber which allows the rising sun on the winter solstice to illuminate the burial site is rightly regarded as a ‘minor’ wonder of the world. A limited number of persons may view this event by prior appointment. However if you still hanker for the real thing, then look around your own area for a stone circle or alignment and you may well experience a lesser wonder than Newgrange if and when the sun illuminates a passage through the megaliths (stones). One such stone circle in Co. Limerick is that at Grange ( near Lough Gur ) off the Limerick to Bruff road. As well as being the largest of its kind in Ireland, the opening entrance to the circle is placed towards the east, thus giving it a ritual function associated with the rising sun. In the past here a harvest festival was held by placing the fruits of the earth and the sun, within the circle in homage to the gods. Such a gesture was to be later taken over by the established churches as a ‘harvest festival’ in honour of the Christian God. Should you live in Cork or Kerry you’ll be spoiled for choices of possible sites to celebrate the solstice, as these counties abound in stone circles and alignments. Be prepared though on your morning vigil to share the event with other interested persons who may come in flowing white robes, uttering strange incantations and making offerings to the ancient gods. These are the white or benevolent witches whose natural religion is more attuned to these natural phenomenon’s. We are not aware of any such grouping or coven affiliated to the ICA but our inclusiveness would not exclude them !


Míle Buíochas


PRO Phyllis would like to say ‘Go raibh maith agaibh’ to all who contributed to the compilation of the ICA weekly column during the past year by way of support and encouragement, news items, snippets of gossip, photographs etc.and particularly to our readers, idir fir is mná, Táim fior bhuíoch.