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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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LOCAL Kilkee residents were somewhat bemused on Sunday last to see a large burning effigy on the beach.
However, their new Ukrainan neighbours were able to calm their fears and explain the mystery; this was the burning of Masylana, the traditional Ukrainian shrove celebration before the start of lent.
The idea of the effigy ceremonial fire is to burn away all the negativity of the previous year and perhaps never was this needed more than for the people of Ukraine this last year.
On the last day before Lent, Ukrainians in Kilkee celebrated ‘Maslyana’ and also marked the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
More than two hundred Ukrainians living in Kilkee and surrounding settlements came to the Elliott Centre on Sunday, February 26 to recreate the traditions of celebrating Shrovetide together.
"Volunteers united around this idea and together began to prepare treats on the eve of the holiday. We shared and took turns in the kitchen for several hours," explained Svitlana, who took part in the preparations.
About three hundred Ukrainians live in Kilkee hotels.
"Special thanks to our friend Tony, who helped with the most magical part - the burning. Without him, the holiday could not have taken place," said Iryna one of the organisers of the event.
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