St Brigid’s festival to take centre stage in Clondalkin

ST BRIGID’S festival 2024 promises to be jam-packed with numerous events that will engage all the family over the February bank-holiday weekend, reports Stephen Farrell.

“One of the themes of the festival is celebrating the arrival of spring,” said Caitriona Leavey, Chief Organiser of the event in Clondalkin.

“Imbolc is a celtic festival which occurs on February 1 and it marks the turning to spring and it also coincides with the feastday of St. Brigid and the bank holiday,” she added.

Imbolc or Imbolg means “in the belly of the Mother,” because the seeds of spring are beginning to stir in the belly of Mother Earth.

Brigid was also the Celtic fire and fertility goddess. Over time Brigid was adopted by Christianity as St. Brigid.

Brigid was the daughter of a wealthy chieftain from Kildare who lived in the 5th century but devoted her life to spreading Christianity.

The Clondalkin festival, which will be held from January 24 to February 5, is certain to be a popular attraction with all events being free of charge.

The first event of the festival My Bhrat Bhríde, a booked-out cloak workshop, took place on Wednesday evening and visited primary and secondary pupils at Coláiste Bríde, Scoil Áine and St Joseph’s Boys School on Thursday.

St. Brigid has a strong connection with Clondalkin as she is said to have founded a well that is still to be found on the Boot Road and which is said to have curative powers.

One of the highlights of the festival will be a pilgrimage from the Sanctuary Holistic Centre, Stanhope Street to the well with two joining-up points on the way.

“Sister Stan (Sister Stanislaus Kennedy) will lead the walk, through greenspaces on the route going through Kilmainham and along the canal,” said Caitriona.

“Dr. Karen Ward will also bring the walk to life creating a journey to Brigid, Imbolc and the ways of our Celtic ancestors,” she added.

The festival will be officially launched on Thursday, February 1 with a spectacular fire display at Brú Chrónáin visitor centre which will light up the centre at the Round Tower Garden, with a fire performance and dramatisation of the story of Brigid.

On Sunday, February 4, there will be a dress-up parade in Clondalkin with the Mummers of Fingal and the local Biddy Boys and St. Joseph’s Pipe Band taking part.

“We are encouraging the whole community to get involved in this.

“The Mummers will be wearing clothes that are upcycled, so it’s more a case of what can I make rather than what can I buy,” said Caitriona.

Also on the Sunday of the Bank Holiday, there will be St. Brigid’s cross making and Brigid’s cloak making workshops in Áras Chronain.

Learn more about the St Brigid’s Festival in Clondalkin through the official Facebook page HERE or Instagram HEREor check out the festival events below…

La Feile Bride festival events  – all festival events are free of charge.

February 1

8.00pm: Brú Chrónáin Visitor Centre Round Tower Garden, Clondalkin – Festival Launch with Tornaido Fire Performance and Dramatization of the story of Brigid (all welcome)

8.30pm: Monk’s Kitchen, Brú Chrónáin Visitor Centre, Clondalkin Dolcáin’s Cellar Open Mic Night – Brigid Theme Sunday,

February 4

2.30pm: Meet at Round Tower GAA Clubhouse, Convent Road for Fun Dress Up Parade with Mummers and Biddy Boys & St. Joseph’s Pipe Band. Prizes for best dressed. All Welcome

3.00pm: Events commence at Áras Chrónáin Mummers of Fingal Live Musical Performance My Brat Bhríde – Brigid’s Cloak Workshop Sean-Nós dancing performance St. Brigid’s Cross making with Mervyn Ennis Bridóg Doll making workshop

National Holiday Monday, February 5

9.00am Meet for Brigid’s Way Imbolc Pilgrimage at The Sanctuary Holistic Centre (welcome and refreshments)

9.30am Brigid’s Way Imbolc Pilgrimage, Dublin. Departs from the garden labyrinth at The Sanctuary Holistic Centre, Stanhope Street, Dublin 7 to Clondalkin led by Dr Karen Ward Moon Mná (16km from Clondalkin) Please wear suitable clothing/ bring packed lunch.

Walk meeting up points – 11.45am Junction at St Vincent’s St W & Golden Bridge Walk/ Beside Drimnagh Luas Stop – under the bridge (10km from Clondalkin) – 1.15pm Knockmitten Community Centre, Clondalkin (3km from Well) 2.15pm St. Brigid’s Well – musicians, speakers, fire and water ritual led by Dr. Karen Ward and Oein DeBhairduin 3.15pm

Events commence at Round Tower GAA Club, Convent Road- St. Brigid’s cross making workshop with Gay Allen.

4.00pm Talk by Michael Fortune, Folklore.ie – Brigid the Saint and Goddess, Ancient Rituals and Legends.