Country Diary: A Night Of Renewal Before The Start Of Celtic Spring | Mary Montague

Rotten Mountain, Co Fermanagh: It is tradition to come together and make St Brigid’s crosses on this night. And with Storm Éowyn causing havoc, it felt especially important to mark the changing of a season

Despite its name, Rotten Mountain has an austere beauty. As I drove to this townland (a small geographical area) last Friday, the sunset was turning the winter-faded moorland to a pale gold, and rushes growing in the boggy meadows were tipped with bronze.

I was headed to Danny Gormley’s home for the traditional céilí of 31 January. The Irish word céilí is often taken to mean an evening of song and dance and storytelling. However, in the old days, it simply meant a social visit. Danny is devoted to the local traditions of this area, including “céilí-ing” as that word was understood for much of his lifetime.