"'The Bones of Brigid': A New Documentary"

From the website of Kfm (Co. Kildare FM Radio):

The Bones of Brigid, by independent producer Orla Riordan, follows the story of St. Brigid's bones from Kildare to Downpatrick and across Europe to the small parish of Lumier in Portugal

 

Kfm will be airing a new documentary by independent producer Orla Riordan on Monday, 2nd of February at 6pm, as part of the St. Brigid's Bank Holiday Weekend Celebrations.

 

The Bones of Brigid follows the story of St. Brigid's bones from Kildare to Downpatrick and across Europe to the small parish of Lumier in Portugal.

 

A year in the making, the documentary is a "labour of love" that features multiple interviews from passionate storytellers of one of Ireland's earliest recorded saints.

 

The idea for the hour-long documentary stemmed from conversations had during the Covid-19 pandemic, in which talks were happening regarding an extra bank holiday in February.

 

Speaking on this morning's Kildare Today, Ms Riordan said that the question of "what is the real meaning of looking out for each other" was at the forefront of people's mind during lockdown, and [St. Brigid's] message "just seemed to shine through the whole thing".

 

You can listen to the full interview with Orla Riordan on their website.

Image: of green-mantled white woman holding a bowl of fire and a four-armed rush cross. In the background is a round tower and sheep grazing ahead of dawn-lit hills.

Hannah McCann wins 2025 First Graphic Novel Award for "St Brigid & Me" Extract

 

Hannah McCann has won the 2025 First Graphic Novel Award with an extract from her graphic novel-in-progress, St Brigid & Me.

Emma Hayley, founder of SelfMadeHero, who will publish the completed book in 2027, says of St Brigid & Me: ‘Covering the important topic of abortion, the author blends memories of their own involvement in prochoice rallies while showing the nuances of a sensitive subject. As folklore, myth and tradition combine, the author’s personal story and fascination with St Brigid lends a universal appeal to the narrative.’ 

Hannah McCann is an artist from Tyrone, now living in Yorkshire, who loves to draw and make art. Currently, Hannah works full-time in reprographics within education, and is a member of Leeds Comics Collective, fitting in drawing projects on the side. 

Hannah was revealed as the 2025 winner on 19th January 2026 at Waterstones Piccadilly.

Image: Frames from Brigit & Me showing the making of a St. Brigit’s cross along with text about learning about St. Brigit’s connection to abortion and finishing, "this really intrigued and surprised me and started me on this long journey, learning more about this saint, my home, my politics, and how they connect."

What is it to be a Devotee of Brigid?

Image: A green square topped with a large pair of yellow quotation marks, followed by the quote:

What is it to be a Devotee of Brigid?

It is a whole life, it is every part of life, it enters everything, whether you are aware of it or not. It starts as a small connection, a simple offering, a lightbulb going off when something in her lore makes sense of a part of your existence, and before you know it she has her hearthlight shining in every question, every crisis, every calling, every song.

Mael Brigde

(At the bottom is the logo og Moon Books, publisher of A Brigit of Ireland Devotional - Sun Among Stars by Mael Brigde.)

"Brigid of Ireland” by Alan Dunne - The illustrated tale of a fearless female leader in ancient Ireland

 From the government of Ireland website, Ireland in Japan:

"Brigid was a trailblazing Irish woman and is the only female patron saint of Ireland. She is also the patron saint of fire, water, healers, poets, blacksmiths, babies, midwives, beer, livestock, fugitives, boatmen, farmers and the arrival of spring…”

“...To share the story of Brigid, Irish illustrator Alan Dunne, working with the Embassy of Ireland in Tokyo, has created a manga-style graphic short of the story of St Brigid.”

To read this story in the Japanese language, go here. 

For a direct link to the online flip-book, go here.

Image: A drawing of a red-haired white woman in a blue cloak and pale brown dress, holding a four-armed rush cross. Behind her is a wolf and behind the wolf, a forest.  An eagle gazes at her from a tree branch.