151 Chapter 8. Uisneach: from the Ancient Assembly … Africa.39 The international dimension of the gathering, which was only created in 2010,40 is beyond question. The peak of the festival is the lighting of a large bonfire at night and, as it turns out, the celebration seems twofold: one side of the gathering could be described as “sacred” or mystical; the second, on the other hand, is much more secular. The profane aspect of the gathering is the most obvious one at first. The gates to the site open at around 5 p.m. After paying the fee41 and being searched by a security guard, people start climbing the hill, which takes about five to ten minutes. The first gathering takes place near Lough Lugh and is dedicated to enjoyment: marching bands play music, vendors provide food and drinks—soft drinks, as alcoholic beverages were forbidden on the site two years prior, and the bar, called Tír na nÓg (the “Land of Youth,” one aspect of “the Otherworld”), was closed. People eat, talk, dance, play music 39 These figures and details were provided by the team working at Uisneach, to whom I am greatly indebted. 40 A casual meeting was set up in 2009 but the first official “fire festival” took place in 2010. 41 A document e-mailed to participants read as follows: “There is no charge but adults are asked to leave a donation [...]. To help defray costs of this not for profit community event [...] we suggest a minimum of €10 per person.” Fig. 2. Uisneach, near Lough Lugh, May 6, 2017 (Photo: Frédéric Armao)
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