St. Brigid’s Day is celebrated on February 1st in Ireland. The ancient Celtic festival of Imbolc, traditionally marks the beginning of spring and it has evolved as a celebration to highlight the achievements and vibrant voices of women with a connection to Ireland. The month of February will feature worldwide celebrations of the lives and legacies of Irish women with song and dance, talks and podcasts, creative activities and much more.
Who was St. Brigid, and why do her stories continue to this day?
Discover the history of St. Brigid, and how the arrival of spring heralded new beginnings for the Celts. Learn about the traditions. Click HERE to get your St Brigid’s Day History-At-Home Pack by email.
A short story reading
Narrated by the inspirational and award-winning author Evelyn Conlon - listen to her short story 'Up at the Library', which was written during her time as the Ireland Funds Writer-in-Residence at the Princess Grace Irish Library. Total time just over 30 minutes (in two parts).
The story is part of the collection 'Moving about the place' , published in 2021 by The Blackstaff Press. Click HERE for the glowing review in The Irish Times, describing the stories as "word-perfect".
For the full programme of events this month from Ireland and worldwide click HERE
Some of the highlights include:
- Celebrate St Brigid's day with song and dance! Go along in person or tune in from home to enjoy musical and performance events such as the SPRING RISE Brigit 2022 Concert (live-stream). Details HERE
- A talk: 'The Women Behind Ulysses' - Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, Eamonn McKee discusses the women who influenced James Joyce and made Ulysses possible with Mary Durkan, of the Toronto Bloomsday Festival. Details HERE
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A talk about a new book 'Ireland 1922: Women in independence, partition and civil war', which provides a snapshot of a year of turmoil, tragedy and, amidst it all, state-building as the Irish revolution drew to a close. Join Irish university professors to explore a turning point in Irish history; one whose legacy remains controversial a century on. Details HERE
'To be Irish' initiative is brought to you by the Irish government, Department of Foreign Affairs - connecting the global Irish family & celebrating Ireland’s diaspora.
