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April 2019
Earth Day: Practical Sustainable Living
"The earth which sustains humanity must not be injured. It must not be destroyed." Hildegard of Bingen Facilitator: Emer Conway Time: 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Admission €15.00
Find out more »A Celebration of Bealtaine
Bealtaine, the beginning of summer, the season when we celebrate the dance of sun and earth.
Find out more »May 2019
Caring for the Soul of the Earth: An Exploration of Spiritual Ecology through the lens of the Legend of Brigid and the Fox.
Ecological renewal and sustainability depends upon spiritual awareness and an attitude of responsibility.
Find out more »June 2019
A Celebration of the Summer Solstice
At this solstice time we raise our hearts in gratitude for the mystery of the sun, the mystery of light and of fire and the mystery of The Light
Find out more »August 2019
Pilgrimage to St. Brigid’s Well
Pilgrimage to St. Brigid’s Well Celebrating our Spiritual and Cultural Heritage Time: 3.00 p.m.—4.00 p.m. Assemble at Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Raod, Kildare town 2.45. p.m. All Welcome
Find out more »September 2019
Autumn Equinox
€10
“No spring nor summer Beauty hath such grace As I have seen in one autumnal face.”
Find out more »October 2019
Poetry Evening: Reflecting on Poems by David Whyte
“What if the world is holding its breath - waiting for you to take the place that only you can fill?”
Find out more »Anamchara: Chapter 5 : Ageing: The Beauty of the Inner Harvest
€10
“Ageing is not merely about the body losing its poise, strength and self-trust. Ageing also invites you to become aware of the sacred circle that shelters your life”. John O Donohue
Find out more »Celebration of Samhain and All Saints, All Souls
€10
Venue: Solas Bhride Centre Time: 8.00 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. Suggested donation: €10.00 (incl. Tea/coffee)
Find out more »November 2019
Anamchara: Chapter 6: Death: The horizon is in the well.
€10
“The Celtic tradition has a refined sense of the miracle of death.”
Find out more »Celtic Spirituality
€10
Join us as we embark on a journey of exploration of the spiritual heritage of the Celts as it evolved over the centuries. Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road, Kildare Facilitated by: Solas Bhride Team Time: 7.30 p.m.—9.00 p.n, Admission: €10.00 (incl. Tea/coffee)
Find out more »Journey into Advent
€15
“It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope”. Pope Benedict XVI Facilitated by Solas Bhride Team Time: 10.30 a.m.—12.30 p.m. Admission: €15.00 (incl. Tea/coffee)
Find out more »December 2019
Sacred Dance
€15
Sacred Dance Facilitators: Terry Hennessy, Betty White Time: 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Admission: €15.00 (incl tea/coffee)
Find out more »Winter Solstice – Darkness into Light
€10
“This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year's threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath.” Margaret Atwood
Find out more »January 2020
Brigid’s Eve Ritual at St. Brigid’s Well
A pilgrimage of quiet reflection, song and prayer on the eve of springtime. Venue: Assemble at Japanese Garden car park at 7.20 p.m. If you wish, bring a light/lantern and bring suitable clothing and footwear.
Find out more »February 2020
Weaving St. Brigid’s Crosses
Weaving St. Brigid’s Crosses Workshop in which participants will have the opportunity to weave a St. Brigid’s cross. Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road, Kildare Town Time: 10.30 a.m. - 12.00 p.m. Admission: FREE Visitors are welcome throughout the day
Find out more »Traditions and Customs
€10
Revisiting some of the traditions and customs associated with St. Brigid and their relevance today. Despite her high profile St. Brigid has always been an ellusive figure but there is a wealth of folklore surrounding her. In their presentation the Solas Bhride Team members, Margaret Walsh and Brenda Kindergan will explore many of the customs and traditions that were transmitted orally from around the time St. Brigid lived. Presenters: Solas Bhride Team Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road…
Find out more »Eucharistic Celebration at St. Brigid’s well
Followed by refreshments at Solas Bhride. Car parking spaces available at Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road from 10.00 a.m. onwards Mass at the Well begins at 10.30 a.m. Solas Bhride Centre open for visitors throughout the day from 12.00 noon - 4.30 p.m.
Find out more »Harp Recital
Come and enjoy a taste of Ireland’s unique harping heritage with Sarah Freely Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Rd Time: 2.30 p.m - 3.30 p.m. Admission: Free
Find out more »Where have all the insects gone?
€5
Practical steps on how to make gardens pollinator friendly. Presenter: Juanita Browne, Natural Biodiversity Data Centre Juanita coordinates implementation of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan working with the National Biodiversity Data Centre. One third of our bee species are threatened with extinction from Ireland. This is because we have drastically reduced the amount of food (flowers) and safe nesting sites in our landscapes. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is about all of us, from farmers to local authorities, to schools, gardeners and businesses, coming together…
Find out more »Annual Celtic Lecture
FREE
This Sacred Universe: At the heart of religion and science Presenter: Niamh Brennan Niamh Brennan (MA Development Studies; MA Culture and Spirituality) is a writer and workshop facilitator in the area of cosmology and spirituality. She is co-author with Greg Morter of the e-book The Universe Story in Science and Myth for Green Spirit. She is author of the book “The Human in the Universe”. In this book, the age-old existential human questions such as ‘what is love, what is…
Find out more »Sacred Dance
€10
Experience harmony, peace and joy as we move gently into Spring. Sacred Dance emerged from European classical and folk dance traditions. Originally whole villages danced together for special celebrations or rituals that usually had a spiritual dimension that brought about a greater integration and harmony of body, mind and spirit. Sacred Dance involves movement in circles to traditional and classical music. Growing numbers of people find in Sacred Dance a sense of deep stillness and peace. Whether you are a…
Find out more »St. Brigid of Ireland In Europe
Presenter: Liam Kenny Kildare historian, Liam Kenny, is author of numerous articles on the very popular “Looking Back Series” in the Lenister Leader. His articles cover a variety of topics relating to the history, archaeology and heritage of Co. Kildare. Liam’s choice of topic for this Feile Bride event is “Brigid of Kildare in Europe – a Conversation” . In a recently published book “St. Brigid of Kildare – Life, Legend and Cult” (Four Courts Press 2017) the author Dr.…
Find out more »Fire and Water: a prayerful reflection
€5
Presenter: Noreen Ramsay is a contemporary Irish artist, working with glass and porcelain, to create beautiful gifts for special occasions and art for sacred spaces. She tells a story through her art, expressing symbolically in imagery, what cannot easily be expressed in words. Mainly working with overlapping layers of glass and ceramic she creates three dimensional images. Flat sheets of plain glass are fused, enamelled, etched, sandblasted, painted and fired. Pure white porcelain is combined with the glass and these…
Find out more »Floral Art Demonstration
€10
Presenter: Enda Thompson Phelan, AOIFA Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Rd, Kildare Town
Find out more »Kildare Town Library Event.
"In ainm Bhride"/ In Brigid's Name An evening celebrating our local poets, writers, musicians and dancers at Kildare Town Library. Venue: Kildare Town Library Time: 7.00 p.m. refreshments 7.30 p..m. Main event Other events at Kildare Town Library include: Cross Weaving with Beth Murphy Exhibition of pages from Josephine Hardiman's "Book of Kildare" Contact Kildare Town Library for full details of these events: Ph 045 520235 or kildarelib@kildarecoco.ie or visit www.kildare.ie Wednesday 5th February St Brigid’s Cross making workshop…
Find out more »Feile Bride Concert -Now Sold Out
€25.00
Featuring Steve Cooney and Cormac Breatnach “The best musicians always have their own distinctive sound.... and their sound is instantly recognisable” Aoife Nic Cormaic Tickets €25, available from Solas Bhride Centre or Kildare Heritage Centre Throughout his long career, Cormac Juan Breatnach has recorded on more than 30 albums and played with artists as diverse as Elvis Costello, Vanessa Williams, Donal Lunny, Bernard Purdie and Máire Breatnach. In 2018 Cormac collaborated with Daire Bracken and Martin Tourish to record his…
Find out more »Afri Peace and Justice Conference
“Rekindling, Revitalising, Rewilding, Restoring” Greta Thunberg has become a world leader, speaking truth to power, exposing the emperor's 'no clothes' - doing what those in power have abysmally failed to do. The Feile Bride Afri Conference will be a response to Greta's call to action. This will be the first year of the decade of real change. We must rekindle the flame; revitalize our energies; rewild whenever and wherever possible and restore our awesome planet to its former glory. We…
Find out more »March 2020
Spring Equinox Reflection
We invite you to join with us as we mark the Spring Equinox. Preparation Materials needed: A candle, or nightlight. Daffodils or another flower or plant Some seeds Music: See list of suggested music at end of ritual. The Ritual Begin by settling into a quiet space. The word Equinox comes from the latin words “asquus” meaning equal and “nox” meaning night – “equal night” The equinox marks a point of balance in the earth’s yearly cycle. At this…
Find out more »Reflection on The Annunciation of the Light of the World
In the Christian tradition we celebrate The Annunciation of the Light of the World, the Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus on March 25th. Reflection: This is a celebration of Mary’s special day, her calling to be the Mother of Jesus, the Light of the World. Mary was bathed in Divine light and was invited to step into her own light and say ‘yes’. Mary’s ‘yes’ then was no easier than it is for all of us to follow our…
Find out more »A Practice from the Celtic Tradition.
The “Caim” is an encircling prayer. The word originates from an old gaelic word meaning protection or sanctuary. It is an invisible circle of protection, drawn around the body with the hand. The circle symbolizes the encircling love and presence of God surrounding you, protecting you, caring for you. Practicing the encircling prayer is simple (an adapted version is as follows) Step 1. Make yourself comfortable. Become aware of your breath, gently breathing in and out. This brings you into…
Find out more »April 2020
A Reflection for Easter 2020
This Easter we are marking the celebrations of the Tridium, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus in a way never before experienced because of the Coronavirus Covid-19. The key message of Jesus during his life was one of letting go. “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains alone.” This is about transformation. It does not mean we deny the pain, isolation and abandonment that we are experiencing at this time, but we…
Find out more »Celebrating Earth Day 2020
Millions of people around the world rallied together behind the idea to create the first Earth Day in 1970. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable On its official website the Earth Day organisers invite all on April 22, “to join us for 24 hours of action in a…
Find out more »Celebrating Bealtaine
The cuckoo comes in April, She sings her song in May, In leafy June, she changes her tune, And in July she flies away. Most of us are familiar with this nursery rhyme. This year, with the silence that surrounds us, we may hear the cuckoo again. Each year here at Solas Bhride Centre we gather to mark the feast of Bealtaine, the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This year, because of the Coronavirus Covid-19 we are unable…
Find out more »May 2020
Feast of Pentacost
May the fire of the Spirit fill you with courage to embrace new possibilities.
Find out more »June 2020
Summer Solstice Reflection
Behold the One who stands before you comes with fire! So keep his fires burning through this night, Beacons and gateways for the Child of Light. Mid-Summer Malcom Guite At this solstice time we raise our hearts in gratitude for the mystery of the sun, the mystery of light and of fire. Let us be open to receive this mystery with an open heart: Creator God You brought fire forth from your burning heart. You seeded it like yeast in…
Find out more »August 2020
Heritage Week: The Custom of Weaving a St. Brigid’s Cross
‘Heritage and Education: Learning from our Heritage’. The theme for Heritage Week 2020 is ‘Heritage and Education: Learning from our Heritage’. Engaging with our shared heritage presents a rich source for learning, and an opportunity to rediscover and reconnect with the knowledge, traditions and skills of our ancestors. This year, we encourage everybody to explore the close connection between education and heritage, and to consider what our heritage can teach us about our past, what it can tell us about…
Find out more »September 2020
Wellness Weekend Kildare Town
Kildare town is hosting a World Wellness Weekend on 18-20th September. Solas Bhride is delighted to support and be part of this event. In response to the enormous challenges that Covid 19 has brought, the event aims to provide a huge array of activities and therapies that offer people of all abilities and interest an opportunity to participate. The programme aims to address all four pillars of wellness, physical, mental, spiritual and environment. The festival has invested a lot of…
Find out more »Autumn Equinox
September Tuesday, September 22nd: Autumn Equinox “No spring nor summer Beauty hath such grace As I have seen in one autumnall face.” Elegy IX: The Autumnal by John Donne Septmber 22nd is the autumnal (or fall) equinox, the day when the sun crosses the celestial equator and the earth has the same amount of daylight as darkness.Equinox time is a time of equilibrium and balance, of harmony and stillness. For us in the Northern Hemisphere the autumn equinox marks the…
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