The evening of Saturday, 21st December was not pleasant weather wise. Things were even less pleasant at the summit of Sliabh Riagh – an elevated, exposed mountain side close to the county Limerick village of Glenbrohane (near Ballylanders).
This was the destination however of a 40 strong crowd, who were marking the shortest day of the year (also known as the winter solstice). An age old tradition, the trek is replicated on 21st June, the longest day of the year (summer solstice).
In the absence of smart phones and fit bits, these dates were critical to our ancestors, who, then as now, had to time, as accurately as possible, the sowing and harvesting of crops.
Coverage in this week’s Print & Digital Edition
