Uisneach Sacred Centre of Ireland

Welcome to the Hill of Uisneach

Bealtaine is one of the oldest recorded Irish festivals, celebrating the beginning of Summer. It has been celebrated for centuries and is deeply rooted in Irish folklore and mythology.

The Bealtaine Fire Festival takes place at the Hill of Uisneach, located in Co. Westmeath, Ireland. The Hill of Uisneach is considered to be the spiritual and mythological centre of Ireland and was once the site of the coronation of the High Kings of Ireland.

Bealtaine is one of the oldest recorded Irish festivals, celebrating the beginning of Summer. It has been celebrated for centuries and is deeply rooted in Irish folklore and mythology.

The Bealtaine Fire Festival will take place on Saturday, 11th May 2024 on the Hill of Uisneach located in Co. Westmeath, Ireland. The Hill of Uisneach is considered to be the spiritual and mythological centre of Ireland, and was once the site of the coronation of the High Kings of Ireland.


Festival Tickets
Uisneach Experience

Experience

Get off the beaten track and onto an ancient path. Uisneach is a heritage site like no other. Walk the Hill with our expert tour guides and immerse yourself in the culture, the history & the mythology of Uisneach. Meet new friends, learn new skills, or simply enjoy some downtime; the Hill of Uisneach is an experience not to be missed!

The Hill of Uisneach is part of a working farm and on private land. The only access to the Hill is via a guided tour. All tour places must be pre-booked.


Uisneach Experience
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Uisneach Experience
Uisneach History

History

The Hill of Uisneach has featured in nearly every significant Irish Event - be it political, cultural, or religious. The story of Uisneach is the story of Ireland. From our earliest ancestors to the medieval high kings; from the saints and scholars of early Christianity to the freedom fighters and political leaders of the modern era: All have left their mark on the Hill of Uisneach.

Uisneach History
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Kingdon of Mide
Uisneach Archeaology

Archaeology

Uisneach is one of the ‘Royal Sites of Ancient Ireland’ that have been shortlisted for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a wealth of archaeological remains to be found on and around the Hill, many of which are National Monuments. First excavated in the 1920s, ongoing archaeological research of the hill and its many monuments, have confirmed Uisneach’s ceremonial status in pre-history.

Uisneach Archaeology
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Broach found on hill of Uisneach
Uisneach Mythology

Mythology

"It’s a curious thing to ramble up a hill in the Irish midlands and find yourself standing at a gateway to the mythical ‘otherworld’ but here on the Hill of Uisneach, the thin veil between myth and reality disappears". Uisneach holds a unique place in Irish mythology, where the hill is regarded as the sacred centre of Ireland and spoken of as a place of origins and beginnings.
Uisneach Mythology
Festival

The Green Man
Uisneach Ecology

Ecology

Little has changed on the Hill of Uisneach for centuries. Cows still graze on the Hill, just as they did in the time of the High Kings. From our heritage hedgerows and rare plant species to the other indigenous animals that make the hill their home, it is the biodiversity of the Hill that makes Uisneach such a unique setting.

Uisneach Ecology
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Common Butterfly
Uisneach Bealtine

Bealtaine Fire

The lighting of the Bealtaine Fire on the Hill of Uisneach is one of Ireland’s oldest traditions. In ancient times, a great assembly would gather on the Hill to witness the fire being lit by the High King of Ireland. The Bealtaine Fire is traditionally seen as marking the arrival of Summer in Ireland. In recent years, this tradition has been revived to become one of the key events in the Irish cultural calendar.

Uisneach Bealtine
Festival tickets
Bealtine Fire
Sacred Centre - Uisneach Logo