An Tuatha de Danann
A really special festival, brainchild of Gerry O’Neill, 26-28 May 2023 in Fermoy, Co.Cork 💚
An Tuatha De Danann, A ‘Saoirse’ event
End of May, County Cork
For the weekend we went!
Friday eve the crowds gathered
The weather was fab!
The people were smiling
Sharing laughter and gab!
Seba Safe was playing
For all to enjoy
Welcoming the tribes
To ‘Richmond Revival’, Fermoy!
Old friends reconnected
New friendships were born
Eager anticipation
for antics come morn!
Saturday morning,
bright and early start!
Market stall holders
displayed craft and art
There were stalls selling kids stuff and health stuff and clothes
jewellery, leather goods
filters for your nose!
Art for the children, to get creative
Holy crèpes, hot dogs,
vegan alternative!
A siopa inside
and a great big marquee
Rolling green fields
as far as the eye could see!
The sun shone so brightly!
The sky was as blue!
The barbecue tantalised!
The vibes good and true!
Rob and Andy made the stage
We were ready to engage
Connecting with others
all on the same page!
Regardless of colour, race, sex or age
Cleansing the space with burnt, sacred sage!
We had poets, comedians, conversations, a play
Great minds, great performers
Musicians throughout each day!
Mythology, astrology, spirituality and craic!
Taking our land, our heritage
and our language back!
A standing ovation for each element of each theme
And out for each break to embrace each sunbeam!
Sing-songs and campfires
Drumming and chant
(Uisce beatha and poitín, some shared to enchant!)
We all shed some tears
Let go of some stuff
And Croí was the baby, blessed by our love 💕
We walked barefoot and reverent
In our ancient tree groups
vibrating in sound
in triskele spiralled loops
We broke bread together,
danced, sang and communed
‘til eventually we left
and our lives we resumed
We will never forget
such a Féile of hope!
And we know whatever happens
We can ably cope!
We’ve all found our tribe
and we’re stronger together
We’re with one another
as birds of a feather
Such a weekend of wonder,
Of love, joy and cheer
Go raibh míle maith agat Gerry!
Agus, here’s to next year!!💚
