Féile Lughnasadh will take place in Milltown from July 28 to 31, and marks a very important time in the life of ancient Ireland.

FESTIVAL: Sharon Shannon will headline Féile Lughnasadh in Milltown on Saturday July 30

The festival, featuring Sharon Shannon, jiggy and The Rising playing free, open-air concerts, will be a spectacular celebration of tradition and culture for all the family.

Féile Lughnasadh is based on the late July celebration of the beginning of the annual harvest and the origins of this reach back into the mists of Celtic lore. The Celtic god Lugh is honoured in many parts of the Celtic world, throughout Ireland and Europe. County Louth and the Galician city of Lugo in Spain both derive their names from this Celtic past.

Traditions including Garland Sunday and Lammastide also owe their origins to honouring Lugh, the protector of the people and provider of the rich harvest of food, sustaining all for the long winter ahead. Legend tells us that Lugh defeated Crom Dubh and freed the people from darkness and hunger.

The end of July in ancient times would see nuts and berries ripen, before the main crops of grain and roots later in the year. People celebrated nature’s abundance and hoped the gods would ensure a dry autumn and a good harvest. Lugh and his foster mother, Tailtiu, are the Celtic figures most associated with this festival. Tailtiu gives her name to the Tailteann games, a term used for several events, most recently in the football championships.

Lughnasadh is a key event in the Celtic year, marking the half-way point between the summer solstice on June 21st and the autumn equinox on September 21.

“It’s fitting to name our festival after a god who protects the people and provides for their needs. Our festival comes at a time where we need to get out and celebrate our cherished traditions again”, said organiser Owen O’Shea.

"The ancient origins of the festival will be marked with the opening parade on July 28th, with local groups in costume as Lugh and Tailtiu, wearing traditional straw and rush garments in what promises to be a spectacular opening. “We’ve worked with local groups, using traditional methods to recreate Celtic ceremonial clothes making for a rich, authentic experience.”