Online Brigit Festivals in Ireland

No one, I trust, would call COVID-19 a blessing. It has been a curse, and the brunt of it borne by those who could least afford to bear it. Like any event, however, it has brought small blessings in its wake. One of these has been the blossoming of live online connections, social, spiritual, artistic, health-related – it has been astonishing. For those with access to computers and the internet, doors have opened which could not have before. I only hope that some of these remain open when we "return to normal." Particularly for those who have not been well enough to attend outside events, or those who live in rural communities far from urban offerings, the opening up of online access has been life enhancing, to say the least.

                  

This year, for the first time, those of us normally unable to get to Ireland can go to Lá Fhéile Bhríde in Kildare, or to the Brigid of Faughart Festival in the Faughart and Dundalk area – or to portions of both, if we have the energy and the time, and in some cases, a bit of coin, as well. 

 

The Brigid of Faughart Festival has joined with An Táin Arts Centre in Dundalk to host ‘Cruinniú Lá Fhéile Bhríde – Gathering Under Brigid’s Mantle.’ It will take place from 8 P.M. on 1 February 2021.

Lá Fhéile Bhríde is as usual put on by Solas Bhríde and Afri (Action from Ireland). It will take place in individual sessions from 12 A.M. 31 January to 6 February 2021.

The entire ‘Cruinniú Lá Fhéile Bhríde’ is €10. Kildare's Lá Fhéile Bhríde events are each separate. Some are free, some cost €11.53.

P.S.: Don't forget we also have the first annual St Brigid's Day Festival of Vancouver, Canada from Jan 31 - Feb 7, 2021. Online as well, of course.

Image: The weavers of Brigit's crosses are from the Solas Bhríde website.

News article: "Louth's Brigid of Faughart Festival is going online" by Michelle O'Keeffe, 25 Jan 2021.

Lá Fhéile Bríde: Celebrating the Women of Ireland - Vancouver, Online Festival 2021

 

I'm so excited! Vancouver is to have an annual celebration of Saint Brigit's Day. The group "Lá Fhéile Bríde: Celebrating the Women of Ireland - Vancouver," are kicking it off this 31 January and lasts till 7 February. 

"Many Irish women have a connection to St. Brigid who is known as 'Mary of the Gael’ and considered to be Ireland’s other patron saint. Now, the first annual Feile Bride: Celebrating the Women of Ireland is coming to Vancouver on Sat. Feb. 1, 2020." (Clearly this needs to be updated. It's now stating on Oíche Fhéile Bríde - the night before.)

The festival will feature workshops, panels, and stories. It's too soon to sign up for anything (I tried!), but watch their spaces for further information.

Jennifer Bourke, Vice Consul General of Ireland in Vancouver, tells us that the consulate will, "facilitate a “Pop-up Illumination” as part of the International HerStory Light Festival which is focussed around St. Brigid's Day."

Follow "Lá Fhéile Bríde: Celebrating the Women of Ireland - Vancouver" on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter - using the hashtag #bridfestvan2021, or visit their website.

Brighid Festival: February in Ontario!

The *Brighid Festival* will be held for the sixth year in Brescia University College, a women's college at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Running from 15 to 17 Feb, the theme this year is Wisdom, Wildness and Wonder.

The weekend festival is based on the Irish model developed by Woman Spirit Ireland in the early 1990s, and comprises music, dancing, drumming, singing, ritual, and presentations on Brighid and the wider Irish/European connections. Registration is open.

Rates from $265-$295.
Options to attend: Full Weekend or Saturday Only

http://www.brescia. uwo.ca/thecircle /events/brighid_ festival. html

The Circle is also planning a major Brighid Conference in May 2015. What a wonderful opportunity for diverse Brigidines to gather together to learn, celebrate, and befriend one another!

Who, you may ask, is putting this festival on, year after year?

The Circle Women's Centre for Spirituality, Activism and the Earth

The Circle Women's Centre is a program and resource centre for for women in the London community and beyond, and for students, staff and faculty of Brescia University College, Western and King's and Huron University Colleges. 

We offer:

• The opportunity for women to explore their spiritality on their own terms.
• The opportunity to be a part of a spiritual community that is outside of any particular faith or denomination.
• The opportunity for women to be enlightened and enlivened through experiential ritual, education and learning.

We do this through:

• Open Circles - monthly rituals open to all women.
• Public lectures through The Sophia Series at Brescia
• Workshops
• A resource library
• Labyrinth
• Brighid Festival
• Ritual of Re-Membering, commemorating the Montreal Massacre and all women who have suffered due to gender violence.
• MORE Than a Book Sale fundraiser- featuring gently-used books and over 20 local artisans and organisations selling their art, craft and wares.
• Networking with our online community and other women's organizations within London and beyond.