I've just noticed that I never did post about my interview on Irish Radio Canada after the fact. It was an enjoyable chat I had with Austin Comerton, who was "stuck" in Ireland because of pandemic travel restrictions, while I was "stuck" at my friends' house with slipped disc mobility restrictions. The wonders of the internet allowed us to speak face to face, although of course the interview is just audio. Downloadable, at that.
Enjoy!
What a busy season Imbolc is!
I worked feverishly on the Daughters of the Flame newsletter until I was able to send it out last week. This week I have been getting organised for the book draw on Oiche Fhéile Bhríde - tomorrow - preparing for two very unexpected interviews, creating blog posts for Stone on the Belly - I wanted to put out more Brigit poetry than usual during the time of her celebration - getting ready for tomorrow's first ever gathering (virtual, of course) of Daughters of the Flame, and so on and on.
Austin Comerton of Irish Radio Canada interviewed me yesterday for a segment of tomorrow's program, which will feature Maura De Freitas of the St Brigid's Day Festival Vancouver, Bríd Dunne of the Ireland - Canada Chamber of Commerce Vancouver which is hosting a portion of the event, myself, and Kathleen Fee speaking about Festival Bloomsday Montréal. (James Joyce's birthday is 2 February.)
For more information, read his full announcement here.
I am feeling tired but joyous about these opportunities to be with people who are as excited about Brigit as I am.
Brigit of the mantles, Brigit of the peat-heap, Brigit of the twining hair, Brigit of the augury.
Brigit of the white feet, Brigit of the calmness, Brigit of the white palms, Brigit of the kine.
Brigit, woman-comrade, Brigit of the peat-heap, Brigit, woman-helper, Brigit, woman mild.
Brigit, own tress of Mary, Brigit, Nurse of Christ, Each day and each night That I say the Descent of Brigit,
I shall not be slain, I shall not be wounded, I shall not be put in cell, I shall not be gashed,
I shall not be torn in sunder, I shall not be despoiled, I shall not be down-trodden,
I shall not be made naked, I shall not be rent, Nor will Christ Leave me forgotten
Nor sun shall burn me, Nor fire shall burn me, Nor beam shall burn me, Nor moon shall burn me.
Nor river shall drown me, Nor brine shall drown me, Nor flood shall drown me, Nor water shall drown me.
Nightmare shall not lie on me, Black sleep shall not lie on me, Spell sleep shall not lie on me, “ Luaths-luis” shall not lie on me.
I am under the keeping Of my Saint Mary, My companion, beloved Brigit.
From Carmina Gadelica, Hymns and Incantations, in Gaelic with English translations, Volume III. Collected byAlexander Carmichael.
