Events

4pmKildare Town will transform into an open air art gallery, when more than 20 local businesses will exhibit 60 works of international and national art in their windows as part of the Brigid 1500 celebrations in the new year. This uniquely accessible art exhibition titled “Unravelling an Icon, Celebrating and Remembering Brigid and her Legacy,” was organised by Sult Artist-led Collective based in Kildare, to reflect the traditions, customs and symbols associated with Brigid’s legacy, to mark the 1500th anniversary of the death of Brigid in February 2024.The exhibition will include paintings, ceramics, photography, film, sculpture, animation, printmaking, stitching, felting, weaving, digital art, stained glass, drawing, embroidery, mosaic, mixed media, batik and textile works.The exhibition art trail, “Unravelling an Icon, Celebrating and Remembering Brigid and her Legacy,” will be accompanied by a high-quality, limited-edition catalogue of the selected artworks and this will be available during the celebrations to mark Brigid’s anniversary. In addition, the local children from Ballyshannon National School and Kildare Town Educate Together are currently working with Sult Artist, Liza Kavanagh, on their interpretation of Brigid and their work will be displayed on a monitor in Southwells in Kildare Town Group: Sult Location: Kildare Town Additional Information: Louise Cassidy 086 383 5727 / [email protected] , Claire Keane 087 121 4140 / [email protected]

St Brigid’s Cathedral, Kildare Town A new community artwork celebrating rural communities, heritage crafts, and sustainable industries is to be unveiled in St Brigid’s Cathedral, in conjunction with the Brigid 1500 celebrations across the county. The artwork ‘St Brigid’s Cloaks’ consists of four handmade wool tapestries, thoughtfully crafted through a series of educational workshops led by Wool in School, in association with Creative Ireland and Kildare County Council. This ambitious community art initiative began as the ‘Wall of Wool’, a Creative Ireland audience participation project for visitors to the Culture, Creativity, Innovation and Sport tent at the 2023 National Ploughing Championships. Over 950 individuals from across Ireland have contributed heritage knit squares and contemporary wool elements to the project, resulting in a vibrant tapestry created entirely from Irish wool. 'St Brigid's Cloaks' is currently on display in the stunning St Brigid's Cathedral as a backdrop to the Brigid1500 celebrations taking place this January and February.  All are welcome to attend the Open Viewing Day on January 27th from 11am-3pm, to see the completed artworks, meet the artists, and visit this historic heritage site. Supported by Creative Ireland and Kildare County Council.

Mother Earth, A Fun Day out for all the Family You are invited to The Wonderful Barn Arena, Leixlip on Saturday 27th of January to enjoy artisanal food stalls, pop-up musical performances, face-painting, circus performances, Brigid's cross-making workshops and lots of fun for all!

Join Go Fly Your Kite for an exciting workshop where children will get to learn about the myths andlegends of St Brigid and then make their own kite based on St Brigid to take home.Suitable for children aged 9+Book your free ticket here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/celbridgecommunitylibrary/1098152 Group: Library Service Location: Celbridge

Songs on a Theme of Mother Earth Line-up: Denise Chaila, Gemma Hayes, Una Healy, Róisín O and Tolü MakayLocation: The Wonderful Barn, LeixlipTime: 8pm FREE PARKING in Kildare Innovation Campus. It's a short walk from there or take the FREE SHUTTLE BUS to The Wonderful Barn. Tickets for this year’s ticketed events go on sale at 8am on Tuesday, January 9th, via www.hotpress.com/nothingcompares  

Josephine Hardiman is a Calligrapher and Artist based in County Kildare.  The launch of The Book of Kildare is the culmination of a seven-year project. Every page of the book, which includes stories of Ancient Kildare, Brigid of Kildare and Kildare’s rich heritage, is drawn, painted and calligraphed by her expert hand.    Inspired by Ireland’s ancient manuscripts, this book has been described as “breath-taking in scope, artistic endeavour, and originality”. The launch of The Book of Kildare coincides with the celebration of Brigid 1500, in 2024. Hosted by Laura Murphy, Poet and Activist, the event will also feature a performance of 'In Cloak & Womb', a song cycle tracing the echoes of Brigid, by Kildare singer-songwriter Sive. The Book of Kildare is supported by Brigid 1500, Kildare County Council and Kildare Library Service. Booking essential: https://buytickets.at/kildaretownlibrary/1089403/share/52e38aff574d6f2d16d3469272136a42More information: https://linktr.ee/josephinehardiman Location: Kildare Town Library Group: Library Service

A concert centred around songs of social justice and freedom. Line-up: Eleanor McEvoy, Mary Stokes, Pauline Scanlon, Jess Kav and Toshín Location: Athy Library Time: 8pm Tickets for this year's ticketed events go on sale at 8am on Tuesday, January 9th, via www.hotpress.com/nothingcompares

Clare Dunne stars in this story of a Dublin cleaner who is fleeing domestic abuse. A story of female empowerment, the spirit of the film is self-help and fighting a system of callous bureaucracy. It is a compelling drama and simultaneously heart-rending and uplifting. Group: Kilcullen Bridge Cinema Location: Kilcullen Town Hall and Heritage Centre Additional Information: Kilcullen Bridge Cinema, supported by Kildare County Council, will celebrate the legacy of Saint Brigid this Spring with a series of films that depict the values she represented. A range of films with themes of equality, peace, social justice and leadership will be screened in Kilcullen Town Hall and Heritage Centre. The season will include award winning, acclaimed and inspiring Irish and international titles. Film tickets are available in Woodbine Books Kilcullen and on Eventbrite. All tickets are €5 and tickets for the Family Cinema Day are €4.

Into Kildare, the tourism board for County Kildare plans to light up the hill of Allen again this year to celebrate St.Brigid on the eve of Brigid 1500. This hill is the highest in County Kildare; as part of this year's festivities to celebrate the patron saint of Kildare, St.Brigid, the Tower and the Hill of Allen will remain lit until midnight on 31st January and then again from 6 pm on 1st February. 

Brigid's Eve, January 31st Venue: Church of San Martino a Mensola, Florence, Tuscany. With Dr. Niamh Wycherley, Dara Molloy and Grace Wells and music from Irish and Italian artists. Location: Church of San Martino a Mensola, Florence, Tuscany, Italy Brigid's Day - Santa Brigida, Pontassieve, Florence, Tuscany, February 1st. 1pm A Pause for Peace A tree planting ceremony which will  involve the community of Santa Brigida and the students of the Liceo dei Colli ( secondary school). An open air evening event to rekindle Brigid's fire, a candlelit walk with the participation of Irish and Italian scholars, musicians and poets. Location: Santa Brigida, Pontassieve, Florence, Tuscany Brigid's public holiday, 5th February - a pause at Brigid's well, Kildare on route to Kilbride, Newport, Co. Mayo,  February 5 . Time : 12 noon a community event involving poets, Ger Reidy and Joan Newmann, students from Newport national school, musicians, environmentalists with the participation of Tuscan scholars, poets and musicians. Group: Hearthland Creatives Additional Information: For further information please email [email protected]

Herstory Light Shows with Entertainment in Clane, Newbridge and Athy.  CLANE ABBEY6PM7.30PMNEWBRIDGE TOWN HALL5.30PM9PMATHY LIBRARY9PM10PM

Pilgrimage is a gentle invitation to spend time in reflection, to slow the pace and feed the spirit. R Minehan – Rekindling the FlameAssemble at the Japanese Gardens car park at 7.15 p.m.Car parking facilities also available at Solas Bhride Centre, Tully Road.