One man's journey to bring a sacred flame to Ireland's fire festivals

Brian Keane meets a the man who sailed for nine months across the ocean to bring a sacred flame to Ireland in time for the autumn equinox

Cooking a feast for the residents of the Direct Provision centre at the Skellig Accommodation Centre in Cahersiveen.

The sacred fire sits on an iron pan atop three short legs. The Atlantic wind off Ballyheigue Beach in north Kerry rushes up the golf fairway nourishing the flames and blowing smoke into Darragh Carroll’s blazing red head and beard.

The 26 year old chef adds another log. ‘The biggest challenge is keeping the fire lit,’ he turns the massive wild salmon donated by the locals. A dozen surround him to observe the feast cooking in a manner not seen here in many years.