Summer solstice to be celebrated in Windgap

Windgap will celebrate the summer solstice with a packed weekend of events at ancient sites and other festivities.

The solstice will be marked on June 21 which will offer an opportunity to experience the alignment of light at the historic Knockroe passage tomb in the Lingaun Valley.

The dawn alignment is scheduled for 8:40am when the first rays of sunlight will illuminate the ancient site and the evening alignment will occur at 3:40pm depending on favourable weather conditions.

These alignments, deeply tied to Ireland’s ancient heritage, provide a glimpse into the ingenuity and spiritual connection of our ancestors within the cycles of nature.

The celebration will continue on June 22 at the passage tomb at 5:05am where visitors can gather to watch the sun rise.

For early risers, guided walks will depart from several historic landmarks in the parish.

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The departure times are: Killamery, 3:30am; Windgap grotto, Tullahought, Lamogue Ogham Stone, 4:10am; Miner’s Egg, Slatequarries and Kiltrassy-Castlejohn, 4:30am.

To conclude the weekend festivities, Sunday mass will be held outdoors in the Windgap grotto at 12:30pm which will celebrate the solstice’s themes of light and renewal.

Following the mass, attendees are invited to the parochial house for refreshments.

As part of the summer solstice weekend, a night of music, song and storytelling will be held at Kilkieran Cottage Barn Venue (E32 N832), from 8pm to 11pm on Saturday, June 21 where admission will be €10 per person.

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