Druidic traditions on the Menai

Welcoming the Summer Solstice

It has become a tradition at Beaumaris Rowing Club to arrange an early morning row to watch the sun rise on the longest day.

It was no different on Saturday morning as all five Celtic Longboats as well as the quad scull launched at 4.30am to row towards Puffin Island and enjoy the spectacular light show provided by Mother Nature.

The longest day heralds the start of the summer, a time to enjoy the fruits of the spring as berries ripen and flowers bloom. It’s easy to see why the Summer Solstice was such an important day in the calendar for our ancient forefathers.

Land, sea and sky Alban Hefin, as the Summer Solstice is known in Welsh, was especially significant to the ancient Celts who worshiped various gods and nature deities and celebrated the cycles of the seasons with elaborate rituals and festivities incorporaring the three elements of land, sea and sky.

Despite these pre-Christian Celtic traditions, it was 17th century poet, antiquarian and radical, Iolo Morgannwg who coined the term Alban Hefin for the Summer Solstice as he revived Gorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain (Gorsedd of the Bards of the Island of Britain) a society of poets, writers and musicians, at Primrose Hill, London on Alban Hefin 1792.

Mari Dyfriar as she is known in the Gorsedd

Druids of Beaumaris

The Gorsedd is said to have been part of the first ever Eisteddfod in the year 540 under the authority of Maelgwn Gwynedd, then King of Gwynedd.

Legend has it that he is buried on Priestholm, now known, in English, as Puffin Island, which added another connection to our morning outing.

I also like to think we celebrated our own little bit of Druidic tradition, not only by rowing out to celebrate the energy and spiritualism of the rising sun … but by doing so in the company of a current member of the Gorsedd of Bards!

Struggling out of bed so early on a Saturday morning was worth the effort to enjoy the tranquility of the Menai and the breathtaking views.

I'm already looking forward to continuing our Druidic tradition on Alban Hefin in 2026.

Celebrating our Summer Solstice row