Up to over 2,000 people were in attendance as Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins ignited the fire on the famed Hill of Uisneach, Westmeath to mark Ireland’s oldest recorded Bealtaine festival, on Saturday (6th May). Located between Athlone and Mullingar the Hill of Uisneach has been occupied for over 5000 years with a national monument on site, the Catstone, where the five provinces are said to meet in Mide the fifth ‘province’ of the spirit and imagination. See more on www.uisneach.ie
Fáilte Ireland recently provided funding for the event as part of its 2017 Regional Festivals & Participative Events Programme. In addition, €65k was granted for funding of a new Visitor Centre to improve visitor information at the Hill of Uisneach under Fáilte Ireland’s ‘New ideas in Ancient Spaces’ Small Capital Grants Scheme. The scheme supports the improvement and development of compelling visitor experiences throughout the Ireland’s Ancient East region.
The Hill of Uisneach is a mythological and sacred landmark of ancient Ireland, owned by David and Angela Clarke, and one of five Irish Royal sites on the government’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status. Myth and folktales reflect the site as the centre of the country and, as the legend goes, through the goddess Eriu it gave us the nation’s official name, Éire.
Speaking today, Jenny De Saulles, Head of Ireland’s Ancient East with Fáilte Ireland said:
“This funding has helped improve how visitors will interact with the Hill of Uisneach and bring Ireland’s Ancient East alive locally. As an initiative firmly rooted in our past and our stories, it is vital that we bring alive local history and to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by ‘Ireland’s Ancient East to maximise the potential for tourism visitors, revenue and jobs in the county.”
David Clarke, owner of the Hill at Uisneach, whose vision it was to bring the true historical and archaeological significance of the site to life for visitors, commented:
“Uisneach is a unique space with a global resonance, it is markedly different to anything else I see around me in Ireland. In partnership with the likes of Fáilte Ireland we want to create something special, something that creates jobs and enhances our community and something we can to be proud of.
Through the support of Fáilte Ireland, and its Ireland’s Ancient East brand, Uisneach can now boast a sensitively designed and locally built Visitor Centre at the foot of the Hill. The Centre now allows us to welcome visitors from all over the world before and after their 90-minute guided tour of the Hill.”
