In neo-pagan ritual, Midsummer is one of four "fire festivals" that
have their origins in the Celtic structure of the year. The magical
element of Fire has associations with spiritual illumination and
purification and the lighting of fires plays an important part. Some
groups begin their celebration at dusk on the evening of 20th June and
have a ritual that instigates the night vigil. Then they watch the
sunrise at dawn on the 21st. Other groups hold a ceremony on the day of
the solstice itself. The public rituals have drawn media attention and
this has served to bring the focus onto midsummer more than any other
festival celebrated by contemporary Pagans in Ireland.