Meitheal

Meitheal, (pronounced “meh-hal”) is a concept of communal spirit and cooperative labour originating in rural Ireland. This centuries-old tradition is rooted deep in Irish culture. It describes how people come together, work together and provide support and assistance to help one another out where and when needed. Dolmens Climate Change Network hold the concept of Meitheal at the heart of all we do. We are a group of volunteers who wish to respond to the challenges of climate change through holding onto belief in human spirit as brave, kind and creative

Meitheal is often described as a work party or gang of workers which evokes more of a prison chain gang image. This couldn’t be further from reality. You helped your neighbour, who in turn helped you. Work was repaid through work. You reaped what you sowed in more ways than one. If you helped a lot of your neighbours, you could count on a lot of hands when it came time for the heavy lifting and seasonal tasks on your own farm.

The Meitheal culture originated in the ancient farming calendar. The farming seasons centred around major events in the year such as the harvest and the annual celestial changes like longest and shortest days. The pagan festivals arose from these events. Imbolc, marked the start of spring and was signified by purifying and rejuvenating the agricultural land, the time to plant. Bealtaine, marked the arrival of summer. Lunasa, in early August, the harvest festival and Samhain at the end of October signified the beginning of the darker half of the year. These Celtic celebrations were gathering points for communities to come together and work together to plant, tend, and harvest the crops, care for livestock and manage resources such as water and turf for burning.

It would be hard to imagine communities coming together at any time in Irish history for all work and no play. Whether it was centuries ago in ancient Celtic festivities or decades ago Meitheal has always gone hand in hand with celebration, storytelling, music, and dance .

Our Four Fires mini fests seek to encourage resilient communities, thriving and weathering storms together and celebrating!  Strong Meitheal mentality ensures that everyone matters and contributes!