The story begins with the Celtic festival of Beltane, which traditionally began on the evening of April 30 and marked the arrival of summer. One of the significant practices on Beltane was the extinguishing of all hearth fires and lights in the kingdom, with the High King of Ireland on the Hill of Tara lighting the first flame. Once that flame was lit, people could then relight their own hearths. No fire was allowed to blaze before that of the High King’s. However, one Beltane, the rule was famously broken.

In 432 AD, Saint Patrick arrived in Ireland to convert the Irish to Christianity. He arrived around the time of Beltane, and so would have been aware of the significance of the High King’s fire. Undeterred, and to attract attention to his teachings, he lit a flame on the Hill of Slane, a prominent hill about 16 km away from the Hill of Tara, visible to all.

When the High King of Tara, Laoghaire, saw the flame, he was furious and took his warriors to the Hill of Slane to confront St. Patrick. Legend has it that King Laoghaire was so superstitious, he didn’t dare to extinguish the Paschal fire himself, fearing divine retribution. Instead, he challenged St. Patrick to a trial of faith, which St. Patrick won, thus marking the beginning of Christianity in Ireland.

The iconic Hill of Slane today is still renowned for its spiritual significance, and on clear nights, the lights from Hill of Tara can still be seen. Despite the change in times, these ancient traditions still echo in Irish folklore, with both Kings and Saints playing a part in shaping Ireland’s rich cultural fabric.

The story begins with the Celtic festival of Beltane, which traditionally began on the evening of April 30 and marked the arrival of summer. One of the significant practices on Beltane was the extinguishing of all hearth fires and lights in the kingdom, with the High King of Ireland on the Hill of Tara lighting the first flame. Once that flame was lit, people could then relight their own hearths. No fire was allowed to blaze before that of the High King’s. However, one Beltane, the rule was famously broken.

In 432 AD, Saint Patrick arrived in Ireland to convert the Irish to Christianity. He arrived around the time of Beltane, and so would have been aware of the significance of the High King’s fire. Undeterred, and to attract attention to his teachings, he lit a flame on the Hill of Slane, a prominent hill about 16 km away from the Hill of Tara, visible to all.

When the High King of Tara, Laoghaire, saw the flame, he was furious and took his warriors to the Hill of Slane to confront St. Patrick. Legend has it that King Laoghaire was so superstitious, he didn’t dare to extinguish the Paschal fire himself, fearing divine retribution. Instead, he challenged St. Patrick to a trial of faith, which St. Patrick won, thus marking the beginning of Christianity in Ireland.

The iconic Hill of Slane today is still renowned for its spiritual significance, and on clear nights, the lights from Hill of Tara can still be seen. Despite the change in times, these ancient traditions still echo in Irish folklore, with both Kings and Saints playing a part in shaping Ireland’s rich cultural fabric.