Tonight is St. John’s Eve.

Cork City Fire Brigade have appealed for respect as they deal with bonfires in the lead up to any St. John’s Eve celebrations, also known as Bonna Night.

In a tweet posted this morning, the brigade said: “Crews dealt with several bonfires yesterday evening and overnight as the build up St John’s Eve continues.

“This #StJohnsEve we ask that you:

“- respect our crews as they work
– adhere to current COVID19 advice
– stay safe and use caution.”

Crews dealt with several bonfires yesterday evening and overnight as the build up st John’s Eve continues.

This #StJohnsEve we ask that you:

– respect our crews as they work 🚒
– adhere to current COVID19 advice
– stay safe and use caution ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/wGiyK1gAnM

— Cork City Fire Brigade (@CorkCityFire) June 23, 2021

A similar appeal was issued by frontline workers at the same time last year, in which the public was discouraged from giving rubbish or materials to those soliciting donations for bonfires.

According to Cork City Council, “The tradition is an old pagan Celtic celebration to honour the goddess Áine. As with many pagan traditions, the Catholic church worked with the event and linked it to the birth of Saint John the Baptist. According to the Church, John had baptised Jesus and so brought the world out of darkness – hence the bonfire element.”