Summer Solstice

Fire, Light & Ancient Ritual at Navan Centre & Fort

20th or 21st June | 12:30pm 

Celebrate the longest days of the year by marking the Summer Solstice at Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh, where ancient ritual, storytelling and fire come together in this sacred landscape.

As the sun reaches its height, join our living history performers for an immersive solstice experience inspired by early Irish belief, seasonal ritual and myth. This special event weaves together story, ceremony and movement across the site, inviting you to honour light, fire and renewal as our ancestors once did.

Guests will be welcomed with tea and traditional oatcakes, shared in honour of Lugh, the sun god. Through powerful storytelling, you’ll hear the legend of The Birth of Lugh, grounding the experience in myth and meaning before exploring the deeper symbolism of the solstice — the sun, fire, sacrifice, fertility and transformation.

View the herbal beds and flowers, discovering plants traditionally gathered at solstice, believed to carry the sun’s energy and used for protection and blessing. You’ll create personal wishes, preparing them to be offered to the flames in an ancient act of intention and renewal.

Follow the procession to the hand-crafted solar wheel of willow, which will be ceremonially burned — a dramatic and meaningful centrepiece symbolising the turning of the year and the power of the sun. The event concludes with a handfasting ceremony, echoing traditions of commitment, community and continuity in the heart of this ritual landscape.

Event Information: The event commences at 12:30pm and lasts for approximately 90 minutes. Suitable footwear and outdoor clothing is recommended.

TICKETS CANNOT BE EXCHANGED OR REFUNDED Once purchased, your ticket is your property. Navan Centre & Fort cannot refund its value to you, nor exchange it for any other ticket under any circumstances. Where an event/tour goes ahead, we accept no responsibility for tickets that are unable to be used due to circumstances outside of our control, for example bad weather and transport difficulties.

Should you have any queries, please email navan@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

We hope you enjoy your visit and if you are on social media, please feel free to share any memories of your experience using #navancentrefort