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LAUNCH OF FÉILE BHRÍDE 2025

launch of the 32nd Annual Féile Bhríde 2025
Sr. Phil O’Shea, Solas Bhride, Siobhan Keogh KTCS, Mayor Kevin Duffy, Minister of State, Martin Heydon, Aine Mangan Into Kildare, Councillor Noel Heavy, Dean Isobel Jackson, St. Brigid’s Cathedral, Geraldine Moore, Solas Bhride, Sr. Rita Minehan, Solas Bhride, John Hayes, KTCS, Sr. Theresa Kilmurray, Brigidine Leadership Team

Venue:  Solas Bhríde Centre, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare

JANUARY 31ST– FEBRUARY 8TH 2025

Imagining a future in the footsteps of Brigid.

Many people gathered at Solas Bhríde for the launch of the 32nd Annual Féile Bhríde.
While 2024 was a special year as we commemorated the 1500th anniversary of the death of St. Brigid, Geraldine Moore of Solas Bhride said: “We are delighted to present a varied and interesting programme of events which continues to highlight the life and legacy of St. Brigid. Many national and international visitors are expected to visit Kildare Town during the Féile.  A packed program will focus on the many attributes of St Brigid through dance, music, poetry, walks, talks, crafts, meditation, and discussion. There are also a number of online events for people who cannot attend in person. The full programme of events can be viewed on Féile Events Page

Pause for Peace

At the launch Rita Minehan spoke of the importance of the Pause for Peace initiative. “At 12 noon on February 1st, people will be invited to Pause for Peace for 1 minute.  The global Pause for Peace Movement was launched in Kildare in 2023 to mark the new national holiday in honour of St. Brigid. The people of Kildare call on people worldwide to pause for 1 minutes silence for peace in the world at 12 noon local time on St. Brigid’s Day. The Pause for Peace is gaining widespread support both nationally and internationally. In 2024 the initiative to involve students as Peace Ambassadors was developed by Kildare Town Community School and we are pleased that students continue to be involved in 2025.

Launch of the 32nd Annual Féile Bhríde 2
Rita Minehan
Launch of the 32nd Annual Féile Bhríde 3
Phil O Shea

Phil O’Shea said that the exciting growth and success of the Féile has its source in the energy and efforts of the community from which it sprang. She went on to say “We are delighted once again to network with Afri, the Education Centre, the Heritage Centre and Kildare Town Library in presenting an exciting Féile Bríde Programme for 2025.”

She also thanked the Solas Bhríde team, Cairde BhrÍde and the Festival Committee for their creativity, hard work and commitment in the development of the Féile Programme, and for overseeing the events.

The Féile Progamme of events is made possible by the sponsorship of Kildare County Council through their Festival Grant Scheme and the Brigidine Sisters Mission and Ministry Fund.

In her conclusion MC Geraldine Moore said, “We hope you enjoy participating in some of the very exciting events of the Féile. Solas Bhríde will hold other events throughout 2025 as we celebrate 10 years at the centre on the Tully Road. You will find notice of these events on the Solas Bhríde website.”

Geraldine Moore
John Hayes, Amanda Rice Kildare Town Community School with Aine Mangan, Into Kildare
Tom McCutcheon Kildare Town Heritage Centre
Councillor Kevin Duffy, Mayor of County Kildare
Sioban Keogh , Solas Bhride Board, Joe Murray Afri, Theresa McAuliffe Cairde Bhride, Terry Hennessy Cairde Bhride, Katie Martin CEO Afri, Sr. Phil O’Shea and Sr. Rita Minehan Solas Bhríde
Mary Linehan Cairde Bhride, Annette McCormack Cairde Bhride, Sr. Phil O’Shea Solas Bhride, Dr. Kate Moore, Terry Hennessy Cairde Bhride, Katie Martin Afri, Sr. Rita Minehan Solas Bhride, Theresa McAuliffe Cairde Bhride
Solas Bhride Team with Paula O’Brien, and Katie Lane, Spirit of Brigid, Kildare County Council
Sr. Phil O’Shea, Solas Bhride, Aine Mangan Into Kildare, Sr. Rita Minehan Solas Bhride
Brigidine Sisters, with Katie Martin, Joe Murray, Afri
Time for refreshements.

For information on all events and to book online contact Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road, Kildare town: www.solasbhride.ie  email: info@solasbhride.ie or phone 045 522890.

For information on Afri Conference contact: admin@afri.ie or www.afri.ie

For information on Kildare Heritage Centre events contact: Kildare Heritage, email:  info@kildareheritage.com or phone 045 530672

For information on Kildare Education Centre www.eckildare.ie or phone 045530200

For information on Kildare Town Library kildarelib@kildsrecoco.ie or phone 045520235

For further information on Brigid 1500 events www.brgid1500.ie

brigidine sisters logo kildare solas bhride
kildare county council logo solas bhride