Celebrating Biodiversity
Quiet Reflection and Meditation Entering into darkness, stillness, beyond time, beyond space. Waiting and listening, Until filled with that Mysterious Presence that reaches the depths within. Come and join us for an hour of quiet and relaxation. Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road Time: Monday Evenings – 8.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m Admission: Free Friday 22nd May -Biodiversity day Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages is delighted to host an event during Kildare Heritage week, organised through Kildare County Council Heritage Office, as part of International Biodiversity day. Programme for the Day 10am -12.00 noon Event for Children with Kate Egan – a morning of fun biodiversity games and activities Places are limited for the event and therefore must be booked in advance. Call Celine on 980239 or email coneill@kildarecoco.ie to book. Please note for this event all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 3pm -4pm Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist & John Muldowney, Dept of Agriculture Climate Change Division Catherine will present the amazing biodiversity of the Irish countryside. John will give an overview of how climate change will affect agriculture and farming. 6.45pm – Biodiversity Bus Bus will depart from Solas Bhride. Hop on the biodiversity bus hosted by Kildare Tidy Towns and visit internationally significant natural heritage sites of the Curragh and Pollardstown Fen. Dr Mary O’Connor will introduce the flora and fauna of these interesting sites. Places are limited for the event and therefore must be booked in advance. Call Celine on 980239 or email coneill@kildarecoco.ie to book. 8.30pm – Dusk Chorus at Pollardstown Fen with Kildare BirdWatch A programme of the events of Kildare Heritage week is available in all libraries and for full listing of events go to the Kildare County Council website www.kildare.ie/countycouncil/ Saturday, May 23 rd – Experience the Dawn Chorus at St. Brigid’s Well 5.00 a.m. Assemble at Solas Bhride, Tully Road, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare “Beauty does not linger, it only visits. Yet beauty’s visitation affects us and invites us into its rhythm, it calls us to feel, think, and act beautifully in the world: to create and live a life that awakens the Beautiful. Beauty is a gentle but urgent call to awaken.” Beauty: The Invisible Embrace, John O’Donohue Short walk to St. Brigid’s Well June 21st , Summer Solstice Time: To be confirmed Venue: Solas Bhride Centre
Upcoming Events
Quiet Reflection and Meditation Entering into darkness, stillness, beyond time, beyond space. Waiting and listening, Until filled with that Mysterious Presence that reaches the depths within. Come and join us for an hour of quiet and relaxation. Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road Time: Monday Evenings – 8.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m Admission: Free ******************************************************************************************************* Lenten Programme Gift yourself with some quiet time. Join us for an hour of quiet and relaxation on the following dates: Date and Time: Thursday, March 12th from 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. Spring Equinox – Moving into Light. “Nothing is so beautiful as Spring”. Date: Friday, March 20th Time: 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road, Kildare Town Recommended donation of €10.00 includes tea/coffee Sacred Dance “Sacred dance is an experience of prayer through the language of the body.” Come along to a morning of sacred dances – and circle dances – from many traditions. No previous experience is necessary and a warm welcome awaits all. Dance is a wonderful way of bringing people together. Date: Thursday, March 26th Time: 10.30 am – 12.30 pm Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road, Kildare Town Recommended donation of €15.00 includes tea/coffee ******************************************************************************************************* National Pilgrim Paths Day, April 4th, 2014 Come and celebrate National Pilgrim Paths Day this Easter in Kildare by walking part of Brigid’s Way Pilgrim Path. Date: Saturday, April 4th, 2015 Start: 9.30 am for bus from Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road, Kildare town. Distance: 8 miles/13km approximately Cost: €5.00 Please book in advance by email for your place on the bus at info@brigidsway.ie The pilgrimage is an easy 2/3 hour walk in honour of St. Brigid around her holy sites and places of outstanding natural beauty in Kildare, including: Pollerdstown Fen, The Curragh, St. Brigid’s Cathedral and Fire Temple, St. Brigid’s well and Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages.
Féile Bríde Programme
Feile Bride – Light: A New Awakening – January 30th – February 8th, 2015 Friday, January 30th Official Opening of Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages Venue: Tully Road, Kildare Town Time: 2.30 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Saturday, January 31st Brigid’s Eve Ritual at St. Brigid’s Well 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, Tully Road Time: 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Admission: €5.00 A Musical Evening with Highly Strung and Philip Scott Philip Scott is unable to perform due to a chest infection. Thankfully Owen M C Lynch and David Maguire have kindly agreed to perform with Highly Strung in his absence Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road Time: 8.00 p.m. Booking essential: Tickets €20 available through the Heritage Centre, 045 522890 or info@kildareheritage.com or Solas Bhride, 045 522890 or info@solasbhride.ie (Limited number of tickets available) Tuesday, February 3rd Quiet Reflection and Meditation Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road Time: 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. Admission: €5.00 Brigid, Bees and Brewing Venue: Boyle’s, Market Square, Kildare Town Time: 7.30 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. Admission: €10.00 Celebrate the legacy of St. Brigid who was renowned for her brewing and bee keeping skills. Presenters: The Boyle Sisters. Booking Essential: Phone Judith 086 8418909 Wednesday, February 4th Spring Awakening: An interpretative Floral Art Demonstration Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road Presenter: Enda Phelan Thompson A.O.I.F.A. Time: 2.30. – 3.30 pm. Admission: €10.00 Brigid’s Way: National Pilgrim Path Venue: Solas Bhride Centre Time: 4.00 – 4.45 ‘‘Brigid’s Way Celtic Pilgrimage: National Pilgrim Path.’ – Brigid’s Way has recently become the 13th National Pilgrim Path in Ireland. Come to hear all about this 9 day pilgrimage from Brigid’s Well in Faughart, County Louth to her Wells & Solas Bhride in Kildare with a short video & announcement of our National Pilgrims Path Day Walk on 4th April in Kildare.’ Presenters: Karen Ward, Louise O’Donnell Annual Celtic Heritage Lecture The Unfolding Universe – Glimpses into Mystery Presenter: Nellie McLoghlin rsm Venue: Solas Bhride Time: 8.00 – 9.00 Sponsored by Kildare Education Centre Thursday, February 5th Creative Movement An hour of gentle movement that refreshes body, mind and spirit. Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road Time: 11.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon Admission: €5.00 “Where words end, music speaks”: Celebrating the Festival of Brigid at Kildare Town Library Readings by John McKenna accompanied by music and song Musicians: Treasa Harkin and Ciaran Wynne Venue: Kildare Town Library Time: 7.30 p.m. – 9.00 p.m Saturday, February 7th Occupy the Imagination : Afri Justice and Peace Conference: Full details available on www.afri.ie or email afri@iol.ie Sunday February 8th Mass at St. Brigid’s Well Time: 10.30 a.m. Awaken to the Mystery of Being Present here. (using legend, poetry and song) Presenter: Solas Bhride Team Venue: Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road Time: 12.00 noon Admission: €5.00
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.
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.
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
Fundraising Event for Solas Bhride
Clonohill Gardens Open Day Country farmhouse gardens, adjacent to Laois Angling Centre and close to the Sliabh Bloom Mountains. The gardens feature woodland lawns, herbaceous boarders, with many unusual plants, and walled garden overlooking lake. Date: Sunday, June 8th, 2014 Time: 1.00 p.m. to 6 .00 p.m. Admission: €10.00 Further information contact: Enda 087 9962864 Conohill House, Coolrain, Portlaoise, Co. Laois clonohillgardens@gmail.com All proceeds in aid of Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages
Upcoming Events
Meditation during Lent “Come apart and rest awhile.” Mark 6:31 In this Lenten season take time to connect with the Presence that is within and all around us. Meditation takes place every Monday evening from 8pm – 9pm. “You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.” Thomas Merton. The Spiritual Legacy of Patrick Kavanagh Reflecting on the Lecture delivered by Dr. Una Agnew, ssl, at Kildare Education Centre during Feile Bride February 2014. Thursday, March, 2oth Time: 2.00 p.m.-3.00 p.m. Venue: Solas Bhride, 14 Dara Park. Primrose Upon a bank I sat, a child made seer Of one small primrose flowering in my mind. Better than wealth it is, said I, to find One small page of Truth’s manuscript made clear. I looked at Christ transfigured without fear… Patrick Kavanagh
Feile Bride 2014 – Kindling Sparks of Hope
Feile Bride – January 31st – February 9th: Programme of Events Friday, January 31st Weaving St. Brigid’s crosses An opportunity to learn the skill of weaving a St. Brigid’s cross. Venue: Kildare Town Heritage Centre Time: 2.00—4.30 pm Brigid’s Eve Ritual at St. Brigid’s Well 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 Saturday, February 1st – Lá Fhéile Bhríde – St. Brigid’s Day A Walk in the Footsteps of St. Brigid Assemble in the Market Square at St. Brigid’s Flame for a guided walk, revisiting the ancient monastic sites of Kildare Town. Time: 11.00 a.m. Weaving St. Brigid’s Crosses A weaving workshop where participants will have the opportunity to weave a St. Brigid’s cross Venue: Kildare Town Library Time: 11.00 a.m. – 12.30 pm Craft Exhibition Venue: Kildare Town Heritage Centre Time: 1.00 – 5.00 pm Unveiling of Sculpture of St. Brigid NB: Sculpture delayed in transit so unveiling deferred. A beautiful new sculpture of St. Brigid will be unveiled at the site of the new Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages, Tully Road, Kildare. Car Parking: Japanese Gardens car park. Time: 3.00 p.m. Sunday, February 2nd Craft Exhibition Venue: Kildare Town Heritage Centre Time: 1.00 – 5.00 pm Women making their Mark on The Curragh (1.30pm – 5.00 pm) A glimpse into the lives of women who work on or near Brigid’s pastures! Suitable footwear essential. Assemble: 1.30 p.m. in the Market Square. Cost: €10.00 includes ticket for bus. Booking essential: Tickets available through the Heritage Centre 045 530672 Email: info@kildareheritage.com Monday, February 3rd An evening of music with Luka Bloom Venue: Heritage Centre Time: 8.00 pm Booking essential: Tickets, €25, available through the Heritage Centre Ph: 045 530672 Email: info@kildareheritage.com Only 4 tickets remaining. Proceeds to Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages Building Fund. Tuesday, February 3rd Quiet Reflection & Meditation An hour of quiet and relaxation. Venue: Solas Bhride, Dara Park Time: 11.00 am Brigid, Bees & Brewing Venue: Boyle’s Pub Time: 7.30 pm Admission: €8.00 Booking essential through Boyle’s or Judy at 086 8418909 Wednesday, February 5th Creative Movement An hour of gentle movement that refreshes body, mind and spirit. Venue: Solas Bhride, Dara Park Time: 11.00 am Annual Celtic Lecture “The Spiritual Legacy of Patrick Kavanagh” Lecture by Una Agnew ssl Venue: Kildare Education Centre Time: 8.00 p.m. Sponsored by Kildare Education Centre Thursday, February 6th “Brigid’s Spring Awakening” – a literary celebration with music in Kildare Town Library Venue: Kildare Town Library Time: 7.30 pm Hosted by Kildare Library Saturday February 8th 2014 Afri Justice and Peace Conference Full details available on www.afri.ie or email afri@iol.ie Venue: Osborne Centre, Irish National Stud Sunday February 9th, Mass at St. Brigid’s Well Time: 10.30 a.m. Followed by welcome cup of tea/coffee in the Parish Centre. “To Celebrate Sparks of Hope” A morning of music, song and story Music, by “Highly Strung” Venue: Aras Bhride, Kildare Town Time: 12.00-1.30 p.m. Admission: €10.00 Concessions: €8.00
Samhain
Each year we celebrate the feast of Samhain. In Celtic Ireland about 2,000 years ago, Samhain was the division of the year between the lighter half (summer) and the darker half (winter). Samhain is a festival that celebrates the mysteries of life, death and rebirth. They are at the heart of the Celtic spiritual tradition and the heart of our Christian faith. At Samhain we enter into that space between the ending of one year and the beginning of the next. It is the season that invites us, like the seeds, to embrace the darkness so that new and more abundant life will spring forth when the winter darkness is over. Christianity incorporated the honoring of the dead into the Christian calendar with All Saints (All Hallows) on November 1st a feast celebrating the great host of men and women who brought light into the lives of many. This Feast is followed by All Souls on November 2nd when it is customary to remember family members and friends who have made this journey on earth before us. The evening will include meditation, ritual and story. All are welcome, and everyone is invited to stay for tea and a chat afterwards. Donations to Solas Bhride Building Fund welcome.
