St. Brigit’s Festival Highlights
St. Brigit’s Festival in St. Andrew’s Community Centre
This year St. Andrew’s featured as part of the programme of events for ‘Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Womem’ with our own unique event taking place on Saturday 31st January from 14:00 – 17:30.
It was an immersive afternoon celebrating St. Brigit through textiles, tradition, and ritual across three individual events!
The festival programme weaved together ancient Irish heritage, hands-on craft, and living ceremonial practice.
· 14:00 – 14:45 The Cloth of St Brigit: Fashions and Fabrics Found in Irish Bogs (Slideshow and Q and A)
A relic comprised of a piece cloth over a thousand years old, known as St Brigit’s Cloak, is honoured in Bruges cathedral. Annie Dibble, textile researcher and weaver, worked with the OPW in Dublin to reconstruct clothing found in the Irish bogs. Annie explained ‘I was given full and free access to the Shinrone gown, the Kilcommon and Tawnamore costumes, as well as part of an Irish Brát (cloak) made famous by St Brigit.’ Annie talked about the process and extraordinary detail found in the garments and in their construction, with cloth samples and drawings.
· 15:00 - 16:00 Weave your own St. Brigit’s Cross (Workshop)
St.Brigit’s cross, woven from green rushes, is an ancient symbol of the sun. It is traditional to weave a cross and to place over your home’s doorway on St. Brigit’s Day. This cross is said to protect and bless the household. This workshop was led by Marja Almqvist, weaver and founder of the award-winning community group The Liberties Weavers.
· Dining Room 16:30 – 17:15 Ritual of the Red Cloth (Musical Performance & Group Ritual)
It is traditional to leave a piece of red cloth outside to collect the dew on St.Brigit’s Day. This cloth is reputed to have healing benefits when worn close to the chest of loved ones. Musical duo combine to present songs related to this celebration and our very own ‘Ritual of the Red Cloth’. This session was led by Sound Therapist Tina MacVeigh and Singing Instructor and Heritage Author Vawn Corrigan.
See photos of the event HERE and we hope to see you next year!