If you’re looking for a way to celebrate St Brigid’s Day on February 1st, County Louth has the perfect event for you.
St Brigid’s Day is becoming an increasingly popular occasion to celebrate around the country. This year, County Louth is inviting everyone around the country to join them in St Brigid’s birthplace to reconnect with the place her story began and embrace Irish culture.
St Brigid’s legacy remains visible in the landscape, seasonal rituals and communities who honour her each year in Faughart, just outside Dundalk.
In 1934, Cardinal MacRory declared Faughart as the National Shrine of St. Brigid. Here, visitors can explore St. Brigid’s Shrine and Holy Well, Sruth Bhríde (St. Brigid’s Stream), ancient and modern Stations of the Cross and healing stones associated with Brigid’s protective power.
Speaking about the upcoming celebrations and Brigid’s connection to the county, David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, said:
“Brigid’s story begins here in Louth, and St. Brigid’s Day offers an opportunity to experience Faughart and the surrounding landscape, and to see how this place continues to shape how her story is remembered and marked today.”
Check out some of the County Louth events you can take part in:
St. Brigid Medieval-Style Candlelit Procession – Saturday 31 January | 6.30pm | St. Brigid’s Shrine, Faughart
Hosted by the Faughart Community Group, this ancient-style candlelit procession begins at St. Brigid’s Shrine and walks to Faughart graveyard, led by robed figures and a lone drummer. Open to people of all faiths and none, the evening concludes at the Hill of Faughart with fire on the motte, candlelit ruins, chant, incense and music, including an uilleann piper, a powerful communal tribute to Brigid as saint, goddess and local woman.
The Northern Lights: Celebrating Brigid – Market Square, Dundalk Live shows: 1 & 2 February | 6pm, 6.20pm, 6.40pm, 7pm
This multisensory light installation will transform Dundalk’s Market Square with a striking display choreographed to music, weaving together Brigid’s history, symbolism and spiritual resonance using cutting-edge lighting technology.
St. Brigid Exhibition – County Museum Dundalk | 30 January – Mid-February
County Museum Dundalk will host a St. Brigid exhibition exploring her roots in both pagan and Christian traditions, presenting the Faughart-born saint as a figure of continued relevance today. The exhibition features examples of Brigid’s Cross, highlights her birthplace as a long-standing site of pilgrimage, and traces how her symbol has been adopted by organisations including RTÉ and the GAA.
EPSO Walking Tour: Stories, Street Art & Hidden Gems of Dundalk Saturday 31 January | 2pm | Dundalk Town
This special edition 90-minute EPSO Walking Tour explores Dundalk’s stories, street art and hidden corners, with a focus on Brigid’s connection to County Louth.
Crios Belt Weaving for Brigid’s Week – 4 February | 6pm | An Táin Arts Centre (Bó Studios)
Join artist Úna Curley for a hands-on workshop exploring the ancient craft of crios belt weaving, often associated with weddings and rites of passage.
Brigid Symbols & Customs Workshop 31 January | 11am–1pm | An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk
Learn to weave the iconic Brigid’s Cross and Crios Bríd (Brigid’s Belt) while sharing stories and traditions with Roisin Cotter and Maura Lennon.
Pilgrimage Walk: Hill of Faughart to Dundalk (12.8km) 1 February | 10am–2pm
The opening walk of Brigid’s Way Celtic Pilgrimage, beginning at St. Brigid’s Holy Well and travelling through her shrine, ancient stones, Kilcurry and Toberona, before finishing at Brigid’s stream at Lisnawilly Estate, Dundalk. Includes ritual, a Brigid Water Blessing and storytelling exploring Brigid’s myths, legends and local history. Guided by Dr Karen Ward and eco-artist Siobhán Madden.
Also taking place is Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women. This fifth edition will feature over 120 thematic events across the city celebrating St Brigid’s Day, Imbolc and women’s contributions across Irish culture and society. Throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, from Friday 30 January through to Monday 2 February, residents and visitors can explore an array of activities – including markets, creative workshops, panel discussions, live performances, walking tours, and much more – all in honour of Brigit and the women who shape our world. View the full programme and book tickets at dublin.ie/brigit.
And, in Kildare, check out Brigid 2026 – Spirit of Kildare Festival from from Thursday, 29 January to Monday, 2 February. Held by Kildare County Council, Brigid 2026 celebrates the legacy of St. Brigid through a county-wide programme of events, with children and families placed at the centre of the festival experience. These range from: Bee is for Bríd with the Green Grannies at Cruinniú Chill Dara on 31 January, a playful and educational event celebrating sustainability, creativity and the story of St. Brigid, alongside a sustainable bee costume workshop; to the Taylor Swift Party at Cruinniú Chill Dara on 1 February, while later that day Carrying Her Flame will take place in Kildare Town, a powerful outdoor procession marking the return of the light and the seasonal shift from winter to spring;
The festival will also place a spotlight on Irish language culture with a series of flagship Gaeilge events taking place across the county. Highlights include How to Gael at Cruinniú Chill Dara, a lively celebration of Irish language and culture, alongside a special concert by legendary traditional band Altan, marking a major moment in the festival programme.
