‘Anois teacht an Earraigh, Beidh an lá ag dul chun síneadh...’
...this famous introduction to Cill Aodáin by Raiftearaí an File conveys an optimism and renewed sense of purpose with the coming of Spring that is just around the corner. Since an eon, it seems, that people are already excitedly talking about the ‘long stretch in the evenings,’ as we approach the beginning of Gaelic Spring.
I say Gaelic Spring because it arrives roughly six weeks before what many from western Europe would call Spring, which is a meteorological spring. There is a straightforward reason for such a difference in that solar spring starts at the beginning of February whereas it takes the weather six weeks to catch up (or warm up). If we consider the ocean has a lag of a further six weeks, then local ocean spring starts as late as May! So its not even ‘Gaelic’ Spring then, it is simply solar spring. But Solar Spring is hardwired into the Irish language because the months and associated seasons in Irish deem that so.
So if February marks the beginning of Spring, then we can trace midwinter to Grianstad (Sun Stop). The most recent Grianstad took place over the ancient province of Meath on 21 December 2025 at 8:52am the site of Brú na Bóinne.
Weather permitting, a shaft of sunlight pierces a tunnel thereby illuminating fully the inner chamber at the exact point of Grianstad. A symbol of birth, rebirth and new beginnings dawns with the lengthening of the days. It provides a spectacular snapshot of the mathematical and astrological sophistication of society in Ireland over 5,000 years ago.
Another visible artefact which provides a lens to the centrality of the sun is the exterior of the Brú na Bóinne mound which is clad with quartz, known even in modern Irish as Cloch na Gréine, Sun Stone.
So the next time you’re asked to explain Irish Spring or an tEarrach Gaelach, you just have to point to the more ancient and universal understanding of the seasons: that earth revolving around daylight rather than the more widespread – but all too often disappointing, arguably misleading at times - atmosphere. But most remarkable that it is a direct link between our forbearers of 5,000 years ago and our modern Irish language mirrored across modern Irish cultural understanding – a world that revolves around sunlight, a view that is shared accross the ancient world and contemporary.
Marcus Ó Conaire, Irish Officer
January 2026
Cill Aodáin (giorraithe) le Reaftaraí an File
Anois teacht an earraigh, beidh 'n lá dul chun síneadh
'S tar éis na Féil' Bríde, ardóidh mé mo sheol,
Ó chuir mé 'mo cheann é ní stopfaidh mé choíche
Go seasfaidh mé síos i lár Chontae Mhaigh Eo.
I gClár Chlainne Mhuiris bheas mé an chéad oíche,
'S i mBalla taobh thíos de thosós mé ag ól,
Go Coillte Mach rachad go ndéanfad cuairt mhíos' ann
I bhfogach dhá míle de Bhéal an Áth' Móir
Fágaim le huacht é go n-éiríonn mo chroíse
Mar éiríonn an ghaoth nó mar scaipeann an ceo,
Nuair 'smaoiním ar Cheara nó ar Ghaileang taobh thíos de,
Ar Sceathach a Mhíl' nó ar phlánaí Mhaigh Eo.
Cill Aodáin an baile a bhfásann gach ní ann,
Tá sméara 's sú craobh ann, is meas ar gach sórt,
'S dá mbeinn-se 'mo sheasamh i gceartlár mo dhaoine
D'imeodh an aois díom is bheinn arís óg.
Cill Aodáin (translated, abbridged) by Reaftaraí an File (the Poet/Bard)
Rough Translation:
Now with the coming of Spring, the grand strech is coming,
And after St. Bridget's Day, I aim to set sail.
Since it entered my head I won't stop for a second
Till I’m standing in the cenre of County Mayo.
In Claremorris I’ll spend the first night,
In Balla beyond there, I'll take my first drink.
To Kiltimagh for month’s sojourn
Two miles down the road from Ballinamore.
I swear it on oath, my heart rises
Like the rising wind or the drifting fog
When I think of Ceara or Gaileang beyond it
Of Sceathach a’ Mhíle or the plains of Mayo.
Cill Aodáin's the town where everything flourishes,
There's berries and raspberries, and respect for one and all
If I just stood among of my people
The years would disappear and I'd be young lad again!
