Events

Please note that photography/filming will be taking place at each of the Brigid 1500 events for promotional and archival purposes. The photographs and recordings taken are likely to be used for promotional use and will appear on our website. If you would prefer not to be photographed, please let the photographer or videographer know on the day. If you have any queries about data protection, please contact [email protected].

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]

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.