PHOTO GALLERY: Beautiful Night For Summer Solstice Ceremony At Killaclohane Portal Tomb

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Dingle Druid, Juli Ní Mhaoileoin performed the opening ceremony at the tomb. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

A UNIQUE cultural celebration of the Summer Solstice at the iconic 6,000 year-old Killaclohane Portal Tomb near Milltown took place last night and they had wonderful weather for it.

A highlight of this year’s Kerry Fleadh Cheoil which takes place in the mid-Kerry town this week, it saw a large crowd gather for the open air event against the majestic backdrop of Dingle Bay and the Sliabh Mish Mountains.

With a range of music from across the centuries, dramatic percussion, poetry, song, a Solstice bonfire and a druidic ceremony, the event at Killaclohane — thought to be the oldest known man made structure in Kerry and perhaps in Ireland —  invoked the spiritual connections with the Neolithic Age and draws on the theme of ‘Reconnecting with the Past.’

Continued below…

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Bonfire blazes near the tomb. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

The event opened with a recitation and harp music from father and daughter, Chris and Aoibhe Horan and featured a blessing ceremony with the Dingle Druid, Juli Ní Mhaoileoin as well as the lighting of a Solstice Bonfire with percussive rhythms from Drum Dance Ireland.

Uileann piper Barry Lynch and harpist Reidun Schlesinger performed some of the ancient music of Ireland and a group of local musicians will played the tunes they listened and danced to in mid-Kerry a century ago.

Sliabh Luachra poet, Eileen Sheehan recited some of her work and singer, Joan Greene celebrated the different international Solstice traditions from around the world.

Of course the ideal weather conditions at the ancient burial place made for some wonderful photos and who better to take them than award-winning photographer, Valerie O’Sullivan. Scroll down for photos…

Musicians performing at the ceremony. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

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Roisin Guethe..enjoying the Unique Kerry Solstice open air ceremony at Killaclohane Portal Tomb. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Happy Birthday… Celia O’Shea, serenaded by Joan Greene, given a surprise Birthday bouquet by her Husband Owen O’Shea, Chairman Fleadh Cheoil Milltown, at Killaclohane Portal Tomb. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

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Ken O’Neill, Landowner, lighting the fires at the open air ceremony at Killaclohane Portal Tomb. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Solstice Bonfire was ablaze with the entrance of percussive rhythms from Drum Dance Ireland. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

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Joan Greene celebrated in song the different international Solstice ceremonies from around the world. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Ancient Music…Harpist Reidun Schlesinger, performing at the  open air ceremony at Killaclohane Portal Tomb. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Fiddle Player Kieran Kelliher listening to the performers, at the open air ceremony at Killaclohane Portal Tomb. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

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Musician Paul Sexton at the Kerry Solstice open air ceremony at Killaclohane Portal Tomb. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

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