The year 2024 marks the 1500th anniversary of the death of St Brigid (c. 450–524 ) of Ireland, who some scholars believe is a personality generated during the period of transition from Irish Paganism to Christianity, replacing the goddess Brigit, the Irish manifestation of the Celtic Brigantia.
With its origins in the Celtic fertility festival of Imbolc, St Brigid’s Day – celebrated on 1 February – signals the beginning of spring and an end to the darkness of winter, ushering in a new season of hope and growth on the land and the birth of animals on the farm and in the wild. Our rural ancestors celebrated the day with a festive meal and a host of customs, all aimed at securing St Brigid’s protection and promise of new life and abundance for the year ahead.
Join Clodagh Doyle, Keeper of the Irish Folklife Division at the National Museum of Ireland on Tuesday 30 January, 2.30pm to 3.30pm for an illustrated talk on ‘Brigid, the Saint, the Goddess, and the Weaving of Tradition’. Suitable for Ages 12+
WORKSHOPS
The Museum will also run two separate workshops about St Brigid’s Crosses on Wednesday 31 January facilitated by Brendan McGowan, Education Officer at Galway City Museum.
There were once many types of St Brigid’s crosses. Some were very simple and easily made, while others were more intricate and required great skill and patience. From the 1960s onward, Telefís Éireann (RTÉ ) adopted a type of St Brigid’s Cross that was more common in Leinster as its logo, and gradually – through the influence of television – it became the best-known and most-popular type.
The first BRIGID 1500 WORKSHOP first takes place from 12pm – 1pm. Participants will learn about some of the folklore and traditions associated with St. Brigid and her feast day and afterwards, have a chance to make some different types of St Brigid’s Cross. Places are limited so booking is essential for the first workshop. Call the Museum on (091 ) 532460 or email [email protected] Suitable for Adults
The second BRIGID 1500 WORKSHOP on St Brigid’s Crosses will take place from 2pm – 4pm. This is a drop-in workshop, so booking is not required. Parents and guardians must remain with children. Suitable for families of children aged 7+
Galway City Museum opens Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm. Admission is FREE! Current exhibitions include SUPERHUMAN | FORDHAONNA; A Well-Trodden Path (photos by Caitriona Dunnet ); This Is The Modern; MONUMENT; Keepers of the Gael | Caomhnóirí na nGael; Revolution in Galway, 1913-23; The Galway Hooker; The Claddagh: A Triumph of Unconscious Beauty and Sea Science. Funded by Galway City Council.
For more information on exhibitions and events see www.galwaycitymuseum.ie or follow the Museum on social media.
