Browse the calendar

May

Explore May through seasonal customs, migration, battles, writers, musicians, and important anniversaries.

Stories and traditions

Highlights for May

Seasonal culture

Beltane and May Traditions

Search for Beltane, the beginning of summer, and related customs in the Celtic calendar.

Browse by country

May in Scotland

Explore Scottish people, places, culture, conflict, and political history.

Browse Ireland

Irish Lives and Culture

Discover Irish figures, traditions, faith, literature, and national history.

Around the Celtic world

May by country

Ireland

May 1, 1169First Normans Land in IrelandMay 1, 0000Beltaine (Cetshamain) Feast of Celtic God BelenosMay 2, 1921Lord FitzAlan of Derwent Becomes the First Catholic Lord Lieutenant

Scotland

May 2, 1929The Story of the Loch Ness Monster First Appeared in the PressMay 2, 1901Glasgow International Exhibition in Kelvingrove Opened.May 3, 1557John Knox Began the Reformation in Scotland.

Wales

May 17, 1938The Marquess of Bute Sold Half of the City of Cardiff for £20 Million, at That Time the Biggest-Ever British Property DealMay 27, 1887Anti-Tithe Riot, Llangwm, Wales

England

May 2, 1194King Richard I of England Gives Portsmouth Its First Royal CharterMay 6, 1763Mary Molesworth, and Her Daughters Melosina and Mary Die in a Fire at Their London HouseMay 9, 1671Colonel Thomas Blood Dresses as a Clergyman and Attempts to Steal the British Crown Jewels From the Tower of London