At 5.20am, 23 minutes after sunrise, rays broke through clouds on the eastern horizon, bathing the Hill of Tara in a gentle orange light. Ireland has survived worse vicissitudes than Covid-19 in the 5,000 years since the Hill of Tara was first used as the ancient seat of the High Kings. “We are here to celebrate new beginnings,” said Corina Arcus, a yoga teacher who comes to the Hill of Tara every year but was making her first visit for the summer solstice. I got out of that (Covid-19) reality for a while, I forgot about it for those few hours.”The largest crowd seen for many years gathered on the hill for the summer solstice, which occurred at 4.57am. Brian Cunning, Lisa Dunne, Caroline Jeffrey and Lorna Evers at the summer solstice celebrations on the Hill of Tara, Co Meath.

Source: The Irish Times June 21, 2020 12:00 UTC