Máire MacNeill's 1962 work, "The Festival of Lughnasa," is a definitive, nearly 700-page scholarly study documenting the survival of pre-Christian Irish harvest traditions into the modern era. The text analyzes oral traditions, mythic struggles between Lugh and Crom Dubh, and regional assembly sites to bridge ancient mythology with rural social history. For bibliographic details and previews, visit Google Books.
Spanning over 700 pages, the work includes detailed appendices, maps, and illustrations that trace how rural communities maintained these seasonal connections for centuries. It is widely regarded as one of the most significant contributions to Irish Studies since its publication. Accessing the Text The Festival of Lughnasa by Máire MacNeill
The Festival of Lughnasa: A Study of the Survival of the Celtic Festival of the Beginning of Harvest (1962) by Máire MacNeill is widely considered the definitive scholarly work on this ancient Irish harvest festival. Cambridge University Press & Assessment Core Premise and Research Primary Objective
In the folklore recovered by MacNeill, the story begins with Crom Dubh, a chthonic deity often associated with the earth and the protection of the harvest.
