The empowering festivals take place in Dublin and Kildare with a fantastic lineup of events
Brigid, Brigit, Bridget, Bríd – however you say the name, there’s no denying that Ireland’s only female patron saint has seen a major surge in prominence in the last few years.
As well as getting her very own Bank Holiday on her feast day (1 February) in 2023, she also had the dubious honour of being depicted as a key player in the hit Netflix film, Irish Wish, starring Lindsay Lohan, and she is being celebrated in multiple events around the country.
Here are two happening in Kildare and Dublin that we’re especially excited about:
Brigid 2025 – Spirit of Kildare Festival (24 Jan – 28 Feb)
After the resounding success of Brigid1500, which welcomed nearly 80,000 visitors to Kildare, the magic returns in 2025, bigger, bolder, and more vibrant than ever before with Brigid 2025 – Spirit of Kildare. This is an inclusive celebration that invites locals and visitors alike to engage with Kildare’s rich heritage, highlighting St. Brigid’s significance not only in Irish culture but also in global conversations about empowerment, the arts, and the environment.
Through a diverse range of events, including festivals, concerts, art commissions, and workshops, Brigid, Spirit of Kildare will bring St. Brigid’s story to life in a fresh way while developing a deeper connection to the past.
There are some huge names performing at the festival including are Imelda May, Lyra, Sharon Shannon, Una Healy, Róisín O, Mary Coughlan, Orla Gartland, Lisa O’Neill, Camille O’Sullivan, Lemoncello, Megan O’Neill, Irish Women In Harmony, HamsandwicH, Cathy Jordan, Eimear Quinn, Maria Doyle Kennedy and more. However, while many of the bigger concerts are sold out, there are still so many free and non-ticketed events to attend.
Some highlights we’re looking forward to include:
Brigid Film Season – 29 Jan – 25 Feb
St Brigid’s Day Craft Workshop – 31 Jan
Warriors! Celebrating Women In Irish Sport – 1 Feb
Cloak on the Moat : A celebration of St Brigid – 3 Feb
St Brigid’s Camino Walk – 3 Feb
Brigid’s Spring Parade – 3 Feb
Willow Weaving Sessions – 15 Feb
Click here for all the information on these family-friendly events and more.
The festival continues to highlight the values St Brigid championed, such as faith, spirituality, peace, sustainability, arts and culture, social justice, hospitality, and education, and their relevance in the world today. These values remain relevant and resonate strongly in today’s world, offering a cultural experience that goes beyond celebration to foster community, creativity, and a meaningful legacy for generations to come. See spiritofbrigid.ie.
Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women (31 Jan – 3 Feb)
Born around the year 451 AD, just north of Dundalk, Co Louth, Brigit was an early Irish Christian nun, abbess and shares her name with the pagan goddess of fire. Perhaps that’s why the women of Ireland have taken her to their hearts and why it’s fitting that Natasha O’Brien was chosen as one of the women to launch the 4th year of the capital’s festival, Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women.
Founded in 2022 with the support of the Lord Mayor’s Office and led by Dublin City Council, the festival honours the Celtic goddess Brigit, a powerful symbol of inspiration, healing, wisdom, poetry, magic, smithcraft, protection, fire, and earth. More than a celebration of nature’s reawakening, the celebrations represent a time of renewal, creativity, and growth. Through a vibrant city-wide programme, it highlights the contributions of women, both past and present, amplifying their profound impact on society and marking the arrival of Spring with a focus on their enduring strength and transformative roles.
Taking place over the course of four days, there will be over 80 thematic events taking place across the city, offering an exciting and diverse celebration of women’s contributions to culture, society, and history.
The programme offers an exciting range of events that celebrate creativity, culture, and the enduring legacy of women’s contributions. From Friday 31 January and across the entire Bank Holiday weekend, Dubliners and visitors alike will have the opportunity to experience a wealth of events, from fairs to workshops, talks to performances and more in celebration of Brigit.
Here are our top picks from the line up:
Exhibitions, Projections & Screenings
Shine On: Brigit projections return to Dublin’s GPO on O’Connell Street and the Palace Building on Barnardo Square from Friday 31 January until Monday 3rd of February. Award-winning illustrator Paula McGloin presents Brigit: Spring Rising, which captures the essence of renewal and transformation that the season of Spring brings. Creative duo Jill & Gill return with Brigit: Boundless & Radical II, a powerful visual exploration of Brigit’s enduring legacy, blending vibrant imagery with thought-provoking themes.
Spoken Word & Music
On Saturday, 1 February, Brigit x Seanchoíche: Brigit’s Fire: A Celebration of Women through Spoken Word, Music & Poetry will take place in the Pepper Canister Church. This special evening will blend spoken word, live music, and poetry, inviting participants and special guests such as multi-disciplinary artist Pippa Moloney and Natasha O’Brien to share their own stories in an open-mic setting.
On Monday 3 February, Little Women at Little Whelan’s offers a soul-stirring night of singer-songwriter music with Frances Wilde and special guests.
Parade
A unique blend of artistic expression, cultural tribute, and community spirit; the Brigit parade promises to be an unforgettable event which will weave through the heart of Dublin City on Sunday 2 February, starting at 3.30pm.
Imbolc Fair
On Monday 3 February, Meeting House Square will come alive with the Imbolc Fair, a vibrant celebration of creativity, heritage, and community. From 12:00 – 16:30, visitors of all ages can enjoy a dynamic line-up of activities, including a DJ session with Louise Bruton, celebrating the Celtic goddess Brigit. Younger audiences can learn all about the Legend of St. Brigid’s magical cloak in a workshop with author / illustrator Úna Woods or attend a Shadow Puppetry Show and workshops with Flight of Fancy.
Creative Activities
On 1 February, the Brigit’s Blessing event at the Belarmine Community Centre will combine restorative yoga, poetry, and sound therapy to invoke the spirit of Brigit and offer a transformative experience.
For those looking for more tactile experiences, workshops such as Brigit’s Cross Embroidery and Celtic Knot Embroidery at Studio 4 will offer creative stitching projects, while Silverworks will host classes on metal clay and Claddagh ring forging, where participants can create bespoke jewellery inspired by Irish traditions.
Talks and Seminars
On 1 February, the Beautiful Brigid talk will explore the goddess’s multifaceted connection to beauty and her role in Irish history and mythology. A thought-provoking online talk on Antigone’s World Wisdom and St. Brigid will draw powerful parallels between two iconic figures of resistance and moral conviction. On 3 February, Queering Bríd: Celebrating Ireland’s Hidden Sapphic History will blend talks and performances that uncover the queer narratives in Irish mythology and history.
The Forgotten Women of the 1916 Rebellion tour will highlight the pivotal but often overlooked roles of women in Ireland’s struggle for independence, including figures like Dr Kathleen Lynn and Elizabeth O’Farrell. Also, on St Brigid’s Day, visitors can enjoy the Saints, Scholars, and the Power of Writing in Early Ireland tour at the National Museum, exploring the legacy of Ireland’s patron saints and the early spread of Christianity. For a deeper dive into the lives of women in Dublin, the Women’s Lives Hidden in Buildings tour will take you through historic streets, revealing the struggles and resilience of women in different eras.
See the full programme details on dublin.ie/Brigit.
