Sage Solstice: Reconnect to the Wisdom of the Winter Cailleach

Celebrate the Winter Solstice at the Irish Cultural Centre

On 21 December we continue Mary Ellen’s Celtic Wheel events with Sage Solstice, a celebration in sync with Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath, the oldest known structure in the world to be aligned with the Winter Solstice.

This festival of grianstad—stopping the sun, invokes the solas—light of our ancestors, just as the rising sun illuminates the triple Celtic spiral within the Newgrange tomb. In tune with this ancient astronomical and architectural phenomenon, Mary Ellen guides you to look beyond appearances and cross the threshold to create a purposeful pause between light and dorcha—dark.

You can expect original scéalta—stories from Mary Ellen’s Mnáology series, interwoven with Mnátra meditation, as she reveals how ancient Irish myths connect us to the shortest day and longest oíche—night of the year.

In these darks times as the icy winds of change blow over the world, you will call up the Cailleach, the Irish Goddess of Winter. Known as the veiled one, the Cailleach is a powerful force of nature who will guide you to go deeper than the outward gafa—busyness of the season, to renew your inner strengths and spirituality at this liminal time.

Join us if you’d like to awaken your inner Goddess, reclaim the bean feasa—sage wisdom within whilst Mnáifesting your kindest future. Among kindred spirits you’ll become fite fuaite—intertwined with the language and land-lore of your lineage, as well as share a cuppa le chéile—together at this community celebration.

This event is in English, with Mary Ellen adding her cúpla focail—Irish phrases throughout, to uplift your spirit like frost sparkling on a December morning.

Sat 21 December 2024

Doors 10.45am; Starts 11am

Tickets: £10