LAUNCH OF FÉILE BHRÍDE 2023
Brigid: Flame of Justice & Peace is the overarching theme of the 30th Annual Féile Bríde which takes place in Kildare Town from Tuesday 31st January to Tuesday 7th February 2023. Solas Bhride have developed a weeklong program of celebration to include music, dance, weaving, reflection, poetry, and discussion.
The Féile commences on Tuesday, January 31st with the annual pilgrimage of quiet reflection and ritual at St. Brigid’s well beginning at the Japanese Garden car park.
On St. Brigid’s day there will be an opportunity to weave a St. Brigid’s cross, and an invitation to participate in a workshop that revisits some of the traditions and customs associated with St. Brigid.
A new initiative recently launched jointly by Solas Bhride & Into Kildare is the Pause for Peace movement where Kildare is calling for a global minute’s silence at 12 noon on St Brigid’s day. This initiative sets the scene for the new bank holiday in honour of St Brigid. It reflects the spiritual underpinning to the holiday and is consonant with the value of peace Brigid stood for in her time.
Kildare Education Support Centre is delighted to continue its long history of supporting Féile Bríde. Its Director, Siobhan Kavanagh stated “Saint Brigid’s connections with Education, Heritage and spirituality are deeply rooted in Kildare. Her Compassion and Care for the Earth are an example which can inspire far beyond the county borders. We look forward to the Annual Celtic Lecture on 2nd February ‘Awakening: Brigid: Woman, Life Legacy’.”
A core componant of Féile Bríde is the Afri Justice and Peace Conference which will be held on Saturday, February 4th. Joe Murray, Afri Director stated “We in Afri are looking forward to our 30th Féile Bríde event in Kildare on February 4th. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the Brigidine Sisters and Cáirde Bríde over the past three decades. We’ve had some memorable moments in the course of the thirty years – extraordinary speakers and activists intermixed with wonderful music, poetry and theatre. Brigid’s message of peace and care for the Planet have always been central themes and this will continue and intensify as more and more countries – including Ireland – seem to be abandoning the pursuit of peace and opting instead for the drumbeats of war.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Féile and of the lighting of the Brigid Flame of Hope, Justice & Peace, all are welcome to a special event which will be held in the Market Square in Kildare Town on Saturday 4th February at 10 am with Adi Roche and Luka Bloom as special guests.
On the first Bank Holiday in honour of St.Brigid, February 6th Solas Bhríde is hosting 2 events: A Miscellany of Memories & Music at 11 am and in the afternoon, Jim Kavanagh, will host a Ramble on St Brigid’s pastures, the Curragh at 2.30 pm.
Throughout the month February 2023, the Brigid pages from The Book of Kildare will be exhibited at Solas Bhríde and the new, illuminated pages will be on display at Kildare Town Library.
The Féile has a week long programme of creative events which will cater for all ages and many interests. It will be a festival inclusive of a range of free events presented by Kildare Town Library commencing Saturday Janaury 28th with St. Brigid’s Cross workshops with Beth Murphy and finishing on Friday evening February 3rd with a lecture and poetry reading with Martin Dyar. Vital Signs: Poems of Illness and Healing will be accompanied by musicians Treasa Harkin and Mairéad Carroll
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
