Frédéric Armao

University of Toulon, France

Frédéric Armao is currently an associate professor at the University of Toulon (France). His primary research focuses on the link between Irish folklore (both modern and contemporary) and Celtic mythology. His work has examined the evolution of Irish calendar festivals from their pre-Christian beginnings through their syncretic contemporary celebration. His forthcoming book, Uisneach or the Center of Ireland, will be published by Routledge and is prefaced by Michael D. Higgins.
Texts in the following books published by Æsh

Feast as a Mirror of Social and Cultural Changes

Check book

Articles in Æsh publications:

(2020) “Uisneach: from the Ancient Assembly to the Fire Festival 2017.” [In:] Bożena Gierek, Wojciech Kosior (eds.) Feast as a Mirror of Social and Cultural Changes. (Beyond Language 6). San Diego, CA: Æ Academic Publishing; 137‒160.

The ancient Irish year used to be divided into four seasons, each beginning with a specific festival. The ancient Irish texts do mention those four festivals (Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasadh) and connect them with many mythological and (pseudo-)historical events. For instance, there apparently used to be an Assembly on the hill of Uisneach (Co. Westmeath) at the time of the festival of Bealtaine, that is the beginning of summer, where men gathered around the king or kings to settle important matters. Uisneach was also the place where, according to some traditions, the first fire of Ireland was lit. For centuries, the Assembly of Uisneach has been virtually forgotten. However, a renewed form of gathering is now held on the hill of Uisneach in early May. The “Fire Festival of Uisneach,” as it is called, is a popular festival where thousands of people (families, neo-pagans, or Celtic enthusiasts) gather. I had the chance to attend the festival on May 6, 2017. Both the ancient Assembly and the contemporary celebration will be accounted for and compared in order to understand the evolution of the gathering of Uisneach through centuries.