The longest day

Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year with some 17 hours of daylight in this part of the world, writes Brian Byrne.

We don't have a tradition of pagan ritual in Kilcullen on this event, but for those who have in interest in the astronomical side of things, the sun will reach its meridian, its highest point, just before 1.30pm this afternoon.

If there's sun shining, an element of Noel Scullion's masterpiece spear sculpture in the Dun Ailinne Interpretive Park at Nicholastown will reflect it at that time, using the sun's light through a slit in the side of the monument's shaft.

A good excuse for gathering there this lunchtime? After all, the days will be getting shorter again from tomorrow on ...

(Our picture is from Midsummer Day 2013. Replaced the earlier autumn 2012 one.)