Solas Bhride Center and Hermitages ready to open its doors!
Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages is finally complete! The name of our Centre “Solas Bhride” means the “light/flame of Brigid”. It is ironic then that the delay to the Centre being open to the public was due to lights – traffic lights at the pedestrian crossing outside the building. The pedestrian lights were finally connected on November 29nd which removed the last hurdle to be overcome in allowing the Centre to open. There have been many twists and turns on the road since the “Turning of the Sod ceremony” in February 2013. It has indeed being a faith journey and many a time we wondered if we knew before we started what we know now would we have set out on the journey at all. But we always received the “light” for the next step through the many unexpected surprises and kindnesses along the way. Now we are excited at the prospect of welcoming many pilgrims/visitors and we hope all who come will find solace here. We are ready for the next step on the journey. Joyce Rupp becomes one of the Centre’s first visitors! Joyce Rupp, well known writer and author of numerous bestselling books including “Praying our Goodbyes”, “Open the Door” and “Fragments of your Ancient Name” was one of the first visitors to the Centre. Joyce visited the Centre on a recent trip to Ireland. Joyce, Margaret and Maeve’s parting words were: “Trust an unknown future to an known God.”
Feile Bride 2015
Feile Bride – January 31st – February 8th 2015: Some of the exciting Events planned for Feile Bride 2015 include: Saturday, January 31stwill Brigid’s Eve Ritual at St. Brigid’s Well on January 31st A pilgrimage of quiet reflection, song and prayer on the eve of springtime. Assemble: Japanese Gardens’ car park at 7.20 p.m. Time: 7.30-9.30 p.m. If you wish bring a light/lantern and bring suitable clothing and footwear. Sunday, February 1st – St. Brigid’s Day Unfolding the legacy of St. Brigid Venue: Solas Bhride Centre An Evening of Music Venue: Solas Bhride Music by Highly Strung and Philip Scott Craft Exhibition Venue: Kildare Town Heritage Centre Wednesday, February 4th Annual Celtic Lecture Venue: Solas Bhride Centre Sponsored by Kildare Education Centre Thursday, February 5th A literary celebration in Kildare Town Library Venue: Kildare Town Library Other Events during the Week will include: Weaving St. Brigid’s crosses An opportunity to learn the skill of weaving a St. Brigid’s cross. Quiet Reflection & Meditation Venue: Solas Bhride Centre Creative Movement Workshop An hour of quiet and relaxation. Some other Surprise Events in planning stage Saturday February 7th 2014 Afri Justice and Peace Conference Full details available on www.afri.ie or email afri@iol.ie Venue: Solas Bhride Centre Sunday February 8th Mass at St. Brigid’s Well Time: 10.30 a.m. Followed by welcome cup of tea/coffee in Solas Bhride Centre. Workshop Venue: Solas Bhride The full programme of Events will be available shortly.
Solas Bhride Center and Hermitages ready to open its doors! Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages is finally complete! The name of our Centre “Solas Bhride” means the “light/flame of Brigid”. It is ironic then that the delay to the Centre being open to the public was due to lights – traffic lights at the pedestrian crossing outside the building. The pedestrian lights were finally connected on November 23rd which removed the last hurdle to be overcome in allowing the Centre to open. There have been many twists and turns on the road since the “Turning of the Sod ceremony” in February 2013. It has indeed being a faith journey and many a time we wondered if we knew before we started what we know now would we have set out on the journey at all. But we always received the “light” for the next step through the many unexpected surprises and kindnesses along the way. Now we are excited at the prospect of welcoming many pilgrims/visitors and we hope all who come will find solace here. We are ready for the next step on the journey. Joyce Rupp becomes one of the Centre’s first visitors! Joyce Rupp, well known writer and author of numerous bestselling books including “Open the Door” and “Fragments of your Ancient Name” was one of the first visitors to the Centre. Joyce visited the Centre on a recent trip to Ireland. Their parting words “Trust an unknown future to an known God.”
Good News – Solas Bhride Centre officially opened!
We are delighted to share the good news that Solas Bhride Centre & Hermitages was officially opened on January 30th, 2015 Cost of Centre and Hermitages €4,300,000 Funds already raised €3,280,000 Capital Grants €150,000 Loan Secured €790,000 We are deeply grateful to the Brigidine congregation, individual donors, fundraisers, the community of Kildare, friends of St. Brigid, those who supported the ‘sponsor a block’ campaign, and those who sent donations via post, bank and web, whose efforts and generosity have raised €3,280,000. How can you help? As you can see we still need funds. Any donation, large or small, will be deeply appreciated. Details of how to make a donation online are available on the Donation Section of our Website. We appeal to all friends of Solas Bhride to continue to support us. Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages is a Limited Company with charitable status. To learn more about the development of the Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages visit our development section More Information Here » To help us reach our target, make a donation or buy a block Make a Donation Here »
Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitage wins Sustainability Awards
Sustainable Initiative of the Year 2014 The Irish Construction Industry Awards recognises, encourages and celebrates original and innovative contractors, businesses, teams, consultants and projects that demonstrate excellence in the built environment. Manley Construction Ltd received the Sustainable Initiative of the Year award for Solas Bhride. Sustainability Achievement Fit Out Project of the Year 2014 The Fit Out Awards recognise and celebrate the cream of Ireland’s Fit Out Industry. Manley Construction received the Sustainability Achievement Fit out Project of the Year award for Solas Bhride in November 2014.
Development Update November 2014
It has been a long and winding road but finally Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages is ready to open the doors to the public. It is the time of year when many towns and cities around the country have special ceremonies to mark the turning on of the Christmas Lights. However, it was not Christmas Lights but Traffic Lights that caused the delay in Solas Bhride being able to open its doors. The final electrical connections will be completed this week and we look forward to welcoming people to our new Centre. What Solas Bhride Offers: Solas Bhride offers a wide range of spiritual experiences such as: • Sharing and celebrating the story of Brigid in a creative and life-giving way • Facilitating pilgrimages to St. Brigid’s well (10 minute walk from the Centre) and other Brigid sites – St. Brigid’s Cathedral, The Curragh Plains • A reflective walk around the grounds of the Centre which contain a labyrinth, a beautiful sculpture of St. Brigid and three Hermitages • Workshops on St. Brigid and Celtic Spirituality, Weaving of St. Brigid’s cross and much more.. A minimum of one hour, half day, full day and two day programmes on offer. Location: 48 km from Dublin on route M7, Exit 13 Next door to Irish National Stud and Gardens Close to the Kildare Village Retail Outlet 1.5 km from St. Brigid’s Cathedral, Round tower and Heritage Centre Coach and car parking space in the grounds of the Centre The Kildare Village shuttle bus which meets trains will pass by our door. A recent review: “Everyone on the trip said the day we spent in Kildare was the best day of our ten day Irish pilgrimage.” (Group of 48, Boston, May 2014.)
Brigid’s Way Pilgrimage
Walk a mile of Brigid’s Way Pilgrimage on Sunday 6th July. We invite you to join us as the Brigid’s Way pilgrims walk from Pollardstown Fen to Kildare town centre to be welcomed warmly by the Brigidine Sisters on Sunday 6th July. We will be arriving in Kildare after 9 days of walking the ancient pilgrim path between Faughart and Kildare linking the two centres in Ireland most associated with devotion to St. Brigid. This stage of the pilgrimage will begin at 10.30am at the Pollardstown Fen car park, (out the Milltown road turn near Fr Moore’s well marked Pollardstown Horse Feed). We will walk along the Fen boardwalk and down country lanes onto the Curragh, to Rath Bhride crossroads and into the Heritage Centre in the square in Kildare This walking pilgrimage, an Irish version of the famous Camino de Santiago, which begins at Brigid’s Well and Shrine in Faughart near Dundalk Co. Louth on Saturday 28th June will wind its way through magical landscapes, where pilgrims will experience some of Ireland’s inspiring landscape and sites of spiritual significance, including Knockbridge, Hill of Slane and Tara, en-route to Brigid’s monastic city in Kildare, All local walkers are invited to join us for all or some of the last day of Brigid’s Way Pilgrimage 2014 .So why don’t you come along and walk a mile or two with Brigid? We suggest that people Carpool or share a taxi to the meeting place. We ask for a donation to support the Brigidine Sisters new Centre Solas Bhride due to open autumn 2014. We will arrive at the Kildare Heritage Centre at approximately 1.30pm and be welcomed by the Brigidine Sisters and Heritage Centre staff. After refreshments we will walk to the Fire Temple in the Cathedral, and then walk to both Healing and Garden Wells for the final Brigid’s Way Ceremonies. For further information on this event contact Karen 087 2399751 Dolores 086 8434117 or Solas Bhride 045 522 890 Full details of the pilgrimage can be found on the Brigid’s Way website www.brigidsway.ie. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Walk a mile of Brigid’s Way Pilgrimage on Sunday 6th July.
Brigid’s Way pilgrims invite you to join them for all or some of the last day of Brigid’s Way Pilgrimge 2014. Sunday, July 6th will be the final day of their 9 days of walking the ancient pilgrim path between Faughart and Kildare linking the two centres most associated with devotion to St. Brigid. So why don’t you come along and walk a mile or two with Brigid? Assemble: 10.30am at the Pollardstown Fen car park, (out the Milltown road turn near Fr Moore’s well marked Pollardstown Horse Feed). The walk will be along the Fen boardwalk and down country lanes onto the Curragh, to Rath Bhride crossroads and into the Heritage Centre in the square in Kildare Arrive in Kildare: 1.30 – 2.00 p.m. After refreshments pilgrims will walk to the Fire Temple in St. Brigid’s Cathedral, and then walk to both Healing and Garden Wells for the final Brigid’s Way Ceremonies. We suggest that people Carpool or share a taxi to the meeting place. We ask for a donation to support the Brigidine Sisters new Solas Bhride Centre due to open autumn 2014.
Getting closer to Completion!
The photographs will give you an indication that the Centre is reaching completion. The Practical Completion Cert for the main building has been issued. We are not fully there yet because, as you can appreciate,in a building of this size there are many details to be attended to. We get many questions re opening of Centre. However, we need to wait a little longer before we can answer that question! Fundraising We are in the process of negotiation a loan/loans to cover cost of completing the building. We still need to raise a further €790,000. Any donation is deeply appreciated. We need your help! Donations can be made through the Donation Page at this website or directly to Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages, 14 Dara Park, Kildare Town, Co.Kildare, Ireland.
Brigid’s Way Pilgrimage – June 27th to July 6th
A 9 day Pilgrimage walk will take place from Brigid’s well, Faughart, County Louth to Kildare Town. The route of this 9 day pilgrimage walk will start at St. Brigid’s Shrine in Faughart on June 27th 2014. It will continue from Dundalk through to Tara and then follow along the Grand Canal to Maynooth and on to Kildare. People are welcome to walk the full pilgrimage or join in on route. The promoters of the Pilgrimage, Dolores Whelan and Karen Ward invite pilgrims to join them walking in on this ancient pathway and to allow the wisdom of the majestic landscape and the inspiration of Brigid guide them: – to ponder on life’s journey – to shed what no longer serves us – to dream in a bright and soulful future So why don’t you join Dolores and Karen and walk a mile or two of Brigids Way? Full details on the route, accommodation and cost available on www.brigidsway.ie The 9 Day Pilgrimage from St. Brigid’s shrine in Faughart, Co. Louth to St. Brigid’s Monastic City – Kildare town, will conclude on July, 6th. Pilgrim Day 9: July 6th, 2014 – Robertstown to Kildare MEET: 9:30am from Robertstown Holiday Village. 10am Meeting/Registration at The Hanged Man bar & restaurant, Milltown. WALK: Walk from MILLTOWN via RATHBRIDE and the CURRAGH into KILDARE. Welcome ceremony at 12pm. Total Walking 8 km 5 miles. ACCOMMODATION: Silken Thomas Guest House, Kildare
