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International audience ; The present article aims analyzes the use of Irish mythology (and more specifically of "Celtic" festivals) in the course of the 20th century by two Irish authors, William Butler Yeats and Brian Friel. This use, which one may at first think dictated solely by artistic considerations, turns out to be more profound and symptomatic of Irish culture – this Irishness which is so often connected to political and/or religious values. The study of the notion of "science" and its impact on the culture and customs of modern Ireland will prove helpful since the issue was tackled directly by both authors, be it as a complement or a potential rival to the Irish way(s). ; Le présent article analyse l'utilisation faite au cours du xxe siècle de la mythologie irlandaise et plus particulièrement du cas des fêtes dites « celtiques » par deux auteurs irlandais, William Butler Yeats et Brian Friel. Cette utilisation, que l'on pourrait imaginer au premier abord dictée par des raisons purement artistiques, se révèle plus profonde et symptomatique de la culture irlandaise, cette Irishness, souvent étroitement liée à des valeurs politiques et/ou religieuses. La thématique de la « science » et son impact sur la culture et les mœurs de l'Irlande moderne sera un élément qui permettra d'enrichir notre étude, la problématique ayant été abordée directement par les deux auteurs en complément, et parfois en opposition, à la « tradition » irlandaise.

International audience ; The present article aims analyzes the use of Irish mythology (and more specifically of "Celtic" festivals) in the course of the 20th century by two Irish authors, William Butler Yeats and Brian Friel. This use, which one may at first think dictated solely by artistic considerations, turns out to be more profound and symptomatic of Irish culture – this Irishness which is so often connected to political and/or religious values. The study of the notion of "science" and its impact on the culture and customs of modern Ireland will prove helpful since the issue was tackled directly by both authors, be it as a complement or a potential rival to the Irish way(s). ; Le présent article analyse l'utilisation faite au cours du xxe siècle de la mythologie irlandaise et plus particulièrement du cas des fêtes dites « celtiques » par deux auteurs irlandais, William Butler Yeats et Brian Friel. Cette utilisation, que l'on pourrait imaginer au premier abord dictée par des raisons purement artistiques, se révèle plus profonde et symptomatique de la culture irlandaise, cette Irishness, souvent étroitement liée à des valeurs politiques et/ou religieuses. La thématique de la « science » et son impact sur la culture et les mœurs de l'Irlande moderne sera un élément qui permettra d'enrichir notre étude, la problématique ayant été abordée directement par les deux auteurs en complément, et parfois en opposition, à la « tradition » irlandaise.

This thesis focuses on the study of the Irish festival of Bealtaine and a comparison with its English and British equivalent, i.e. May Day. Using a thorough comparative analysis of popular proverbs, sayings and folklore accounts written in the first parts of the 20th century by both Irish-speaking and English-speaking farmers, I successfully proved that the dichotomy between the Irish-speaking and English-speaking parts of the country mirrored a dichotomy in the origins of the May traditions in Ireland –when popular theory held that Bealtaine and May Day were in fact two names connected to the same celebration. The two languages therefore echo the history and culture of the British Isles. ; Nous étudions les diverses représentations de la fête du premier mai, dite fête de Beltaine (ou Bealtaine), en Irlande et en Grande-Bretagne à travers les âges (folklore et culture populaire des XIXe-XXIe siècles, fête du Moyen-Age, origines a priori celtiques) afin de comprendre sa symbolique et ses implications sociales, politico-religieuses et identitaires.

This thesis focuses on the study of the Irish festival of Bealtaine and a comparison with its English and British equivalent, i.e. May Day. Using a thorough comparative analysis of popular proverbs, sayings and folklore accounts written in the first parts of the 20th century by both Irish-speaking and English-speaking farmers, I successfully proved that the dichotomy between the Irish-speaking and English-speaking parts of the country mirrored a dichotomy in the origins of the May traditions in Ireland –when popular theory held that Bealtaine and May Day were in fact two names connected to the same celebration. The two languages therefore echo the history and culture of the British Isles. ; Nous étudions les diverses représentations de la fête du premier mai, dite fête de Beltaine (ou Bealtaine), en Irlande et en Grande-Bretagne à travers les âges (folklore et culture populaire des XIXe-XXIe siècles, fête du Moyen-Age, origines a priori celtiques) afin de comprendre sa symbolique et ses implications sociales, politico-religieuses et identitaires.