La Fhéile Bríde: Thousands celebrate the patroness saint

THOUSANDS of people took part in festivities in Clondalkin last week and through to bank holiday Monday in celebration of the patroness saint, St Brigid, both as a saint and a Celtic goddess.

Officially called the La Fhéile Bríde/Brigid’s Day Festival Clondalkin, the event ran across six days with a host of events to appeal to people of all ages and interests.

Over 100 people took part in a ritual at St Brigid’s Well and there was a series of St Brigid and Celtic-themed events at Aras Chronain.

There was also a well-attended Pilgrim Walk from Stanhope Street to Clondalkin, but the highlight of the festival was a street performance and parade in Clondalkin village.

The parade was led by a pipe band, and featured a merry band of Mummers – which in medieval tradition are travelling entertainers, typically dressed in straw.

Sinead Curran, who is on the organising committee for the festival and dressed up as one of the Mummers, told The Echo: “Everybody came out of their houses and watched the parade.

“I was one of the Mummers, it was a complete disguise.

“Even people who knew me didn’t recognise me!”

The committee received resoundingly positive feedback across their events, which included Irish dancing and the story of St Brigid being told by fire.

Molly, Ciara, Shona, Mary and Millie at Round Tower GAA Club

This was the first large-scale St Brigid event held in Clondalkin, after several smaller events being held in the locality in previous years.

Judging by the strong response the festival received this year, the committee is already looking forward to building on their success with next year’s festival.

“We’ve found something that I think is unique to Clondalkin,” said Sinead.

“We have St Brigid’s Well and we have had low-key events in previous years.

“But a lot of people and local businesses came out, took part and supported the festival.”

The committee is going to meet later this week to discuss plans for next year’s festival, which includes getting art related to St Brigid into more venues in Clondalkin and expanding the festival’s colouring competition to include secondary school students.

Pick up this week’s Echo, edition February 9, for a picture page from events.