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Which four major festivals divided the traditional Irish year?
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Celtic religion
Celtic cross.
The traditional Irish year was divided into two six-month periods by the festivals of Beltine (May 1) and Samhain (November 1). Each of these periods was further divided by two additional festivals, resulting in four major seasonal markers:1
- Samhain: Marked the end of summer and the beginning of the winter period.12
- Imbolc: Observed on February 1, this was a festival of purification for farmers and is associated with the lambing season.1
- Beltine: Celebrated on May 1 as the summer festival, traditionally involving the driving of cattle between fires for protection against disease.1
- Lughnasadh: Observed on August 1, this was the feast of the god Lugh.1