Pagan weddings, in many cases performed by a recognized druid, will now be allowed in Ireland.
Following a five-year campaign the Irish state has now recognized the right of the Pagan Federation Ireland to perform weddings.
Couples will now be able to be legally married after a ceremony that concludes with jumping over a broomstick to mark crossing over from an old life to a new one.
Pagan weddings are also known as hand-fasting and most recently, the nephew of Richard Branson got married that way and they have become increasingly popular.
Ray Sweeney, coordinator of Pagan Federation Ireland told the Irish Sunday Times that there are 40 couples ready to be married now by the old tradition of binding their hands with ribbons, literally tying the knot.
Kate Deegan, a wedding coordinator says she has couples ready to go including an American pair.
“When Ray Sweeney informed me that they are now legal, I thought he was pulling my leg,” Deegan said. “A white witch I worked with conducted the hand-fastings, bringing in the elements of fire, earth, wind, and water. We’ve done them on the Cliffs of Moher and further up the coast at Fanore.
“The couples used to have a civil marriage in a registry office first, but they often did it on their lunch break because they considered the pagan blessing more important.”
The tradition of hand fasting goes back to the Celtic pre-christian era. Currently eight marriage solemnizers or druids are being trained in how to carry out the wedding. 250,000 people in the last Irish census revealed they followed no organized religion.
Sweeney prefers to keep pagan weddings low key for fear of drawing a Christian backlash.
“We don’t want people shouting at us and singing hymns over us,” he said. “There are too many misconceptions about paganism. Some people think it’s Satanism, but it’s a pre-Christian religion, so how can it be anti-Christian? It’s not about dressing up in silly medieval costumes. I wear a suit with no tie.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Creirwy | Apr 08, 2012, 12:40 PM EDT
Not to mention Martin Luther, and, oh wait, let me hit a little closer to home, CROMWELL!!!
Creirwy | Apr 08, 2012, 12:38 PM EDT
@Bishop Sean. Some humans are pacifist, some are not, regardless of religion. In Christianity you have the Quakers and you have the Spanish inquisition. And wasn't it Jesus who said "judge not lest ye be judged." I think y'all need to bone up on your theology just a tad.
Creirwy | Apr 08, 2012, 12:35 PM EDT
@jacersisityourself - NEO-pagans. We don't cut people in half or bludgeon them to death and bury them in bogs. Ancient Christians also performed many things we would today consider atrocities, but that does not make Christianity bad. Be rational for goodness sake. And Spiritranger, all religions have beliefs that appear daft to others. Virgin births, seriously??? Get a grip. We respect your beliefs, all we ask is that you respect ours and act like decent human beings for a change.
jacersisityourself | Mar 28, 2010, 11:52 AM EDT
Preserved remains of people subjected to pagan rituals turn up in Irish Bogs every now and then. You can see some on display in Irish Museums. One is the top half of a man cut in half. Another shows holes in the skull from a bludgeoning beating to death. And you try to tell me that paganism is good?
kickstar | Mar 27, 2010, 11:06 PM EDT
I was married in a Pagan Ceremony in Dublin in 1980 so its been around a lot of centuries I of course elude to the Pagan Roman Catholic Church.
Spiritranger | Feb 24, 2010, 12:05 PM EST
"Mother" Earth? Don't be daft.
Spiritranger | Feb 24, 2010, 11:57 AM EST
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Don't be a fool.
Watereskhill | Feb 23, 2010, 10:26 PM EST
Looks like the enchanted Fairy Forts of Ireland, it's glades and hedgerows have not been crippled and immobilized by holy water and smoke after all. More power to these free-spirited people. So what if there's a back-lash from Christians in Ireland singing hymns. The more they chirp the more dull and daft they look.
allentown | Feb 23, 2010, 08:25 PM EST
My grandmother and grandfather whom I never knew came from Ireland. Apparantly, they began their lives together in New York City. As the story goes, when they were just married, my grandmother was a very religious Catholic who believed in tithling over 10% to the church. My grandfather came home with his salary and gave it to my grandmother. On Tuesday of the following week he asked her for some money for lunch. She replied she had none. He asked what did you do with it all? She replied I gave it to the church. The following week when my grandfather came home my grandmother asked him where was his salary. He replied he had none. She asked what did you do with it? He replied--------I drank it! Saint Patrick never came to my grandfather's ancestors part of Ireland.
FrankDruid | Feb 23, 2010, 05:28 AM EST
I'm an English Druid who has conducted many handfastings. In England handfasting is still not legally recognised, which is very sad for us but it is of credit to the Irish people. Handfasting is a beautiful ceremony where two people in love pledge their commitment to one another, and I believe that whenever we do something beautiful and heartfealt then God is pleased with us, whatever form God takes for you. Christians need not fear the spirituality of the Druids, we do not serve evil and we do not tolerate evil, we are children of the light just as you are. May all that is good shine upon you Ireland.
LiamDavid | Feb 22, 2010, 10:39 PM EST
I am truly sorry in my previous comment, I continued to say St. Peter, when I meant to say St. Patrick. My apologies.
LiamDavid | Feb 22, 2010, 10:34 PM EST
The druid faith or belief is nothing to be afraid of because there are precious few people who have even the slightest clue of what it’s truly all about. The Christians have been violently against anything that’s not Christian, and in this case, the Christians would be certainly uncomfortable with the fact that there are a number of special holydays that strangely coincide with special days of the druid belief. That’s because when St. Peter started introducing Christianity to the Irish people, St. Peter and others found that the druidism and the people were very tightly intertwined. Druidism went far beyond that of a religion for the Celts, druidism also had prescribed social rules and laws that were the actual structural backbone of the Celtic society, so St. Peter and the church would just take a few of the druid days and give them a Christian name instead. Druidism was the spinal cord for the Celts, whose practitioners were highly trained over 20 or more years. They were the judges, doctors, arbitrators, administrators, scientist, artist, and magicians in Celtic society. The druids were so important to the Celts that Caesar knew enough about the druids that he would round them all up and kill them in order to finely divide and destroy the Celts. But I don’t think our present day druid enthusiast is anything to worry about.
dubinatub | Feb 22, 2010, 04:54 PM EST
another think my blood boiling here.Mandokeith mother earth has provided us with so much,whats wrong with saying thanks.we pollute her with our negative thoughts,etc etc.we bring about war on her ground.chemical abuse.waste products etc.should get on your knees next time you see a green field and says thanks.wish people would open there eyes to the devine around.not look to the heavens but within.rob
dubinatub | Feb 22, 2010, 04:37 PM EST
gosh Pagan weddings how wonderful.look at church history,do you see the pagans disrespect life,culture.yes the church has done some great work over time,hey Mandokeith wake up.jesus was a man of the heart,in that if you are in the heart vibration.come from a place of love and you become the christ.why oh why are people to fearful of God !! fear him hell i dont i love him.Destriction my ASS...you think God is worried about Pagans (no)worried about the church turning its back on its past present actions.. well perhaps.
SmarterThanYall | Feb 22, 2010, 01:38 PM EST
mandokeith, It's _your_ hell, you burn it it, if you like, but spare those of us who don't believe the same superstitions as you. M'kay?
BishopSean | Feb 22, 2010, 01:13 PM EST
From what I've read, pre-Christian Irish religions were anything but pacifist. Some of our Irish forefathers used to walk around with skulls of their enemies tied around their belts before Christianity was adopted, and slavery was in vogue. Some Mexicans have recently reverted to pre-Christian religions too. Just think--they used to have up to 35,000 human sacrifices on their high holy days.... Let's pray that Irish Christians strive to be Light and Salt to society in Ireland and elsewhere.
tiaw1999 | Feb 22, 2010, 10:30 AM EST
May all the couples be blessed. Many people should go read their bibles if they are going to claim christianity because last I checked it does not say to hound and harrass people for there beliefs it says to show them the way lead by example. I am very proud of ireland for being open minded and showing "christian" compation.
mandokeith | Feb 22, 2010, 10:03 AM EST
A true Christianisation is what is needed. Not a religious system, but a relationship with Christ. Jesus said" I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the father but by me". You CAN have a relationship with the One who died for your sins. God has blessed Ireland , don't turn away.
mandokeith | Feb 22, 2010, 09:57 AM EST
Paganism , witchery, earth worship. They will bring nothing but destruction amd death. God should be the center of the marriage, not left out. Narrow is the path that leads to life, but broad is the way that leads to destruction...
Christisall | Feb 22, 2010, 09:17 AM EST
By the way, Satan is spelled as I just spelled it, not Satin. Seems Satan is very alive and well in good old Ireland.
Christisall | Feb 22, 2010, 09:16 AM EST
No the Druids got nothing right; they had no Christ,, fools. There is going to be hell to pay and don't forget it and i'm not afraid to say so and be criticized. . .
Christisall | Feb 22, 2010, 09:10 AM EST
Seems Ireland is going right to hell. . .
CelticPope | Feb 22, 2010, 05:30 AM EST
About bloody time! The longer I live the more I think those Druids got it right!
kickstar | Feb 21, 2010, 09:07 PM EST
Well done...At least I have not heard of child sex abuse by Pagans...I wish them luck.
killowen | Feb 21, 2010, 07:31 PM EST
Need of another St Patrick type napping with another return to effect a rechristianization of the natives.
irishkay | Feb 21, 2010, 07:21 PM EST
Not sure what I think about this. If its legal, why not? Who am I to say how one should get married?
beachline | Feb 21, 2010, 11:46 AM EST
Good for the Pagan Federation of ireland for pursuing the right to have their religion recognized. Personally I left the Catholic Church when I was in my teens. I investigated most of the recognized religions of the world and concluded that the ancient Druids had the right idea. A Supreme Being created Earth, Water, Wind and Fire , so each morning I go outside and thank that Being for a new day. I respect the opinions of those who belong to organized religions, and I ask you to respect those of us who prefer the old ways.
WouldYouEva | Feb 21, 2010, 10:52 AM EST
Jesus is anti-Satin? Me, too, it makes my butt look fat. What verse is that in the Bible? I could use more fashion tips.
dunbekin36 | Feb 21, 2010, 09:25 AM EST
The Lord is the one who fights the battle, your job is to stand firm. What is Ireland doing? Giving Satin a hold. Wake up people. Turn back to Jesus.
CitizenWhy | Feb 21, 2010, 08:17 AM EST
Will Pagans be protected by Irish blasphemy laws? ... It will take some time to get used to capitalizing Pagan.