St Brigid's Day

Celebrating the creativity of women

In Ireland, 1 February marks the beginning of spring and the celebration of Lá Fhéile Bríde, St Brigid’s Day.

The day has long symbolised hope, renewal and the feminine.

Since 2018, Irish Embassies and Consulates across the world have been marking the day by celebrating the creativity of women, through a broad programme of events.

From Washington to Warsaw, Sydney to Santiago, London to Lilongwe, Ireland’s diplomatic network, in partnership with local communities is celebrating the remarkable contribution women have made – and continue to make - across the world.

St Brigid's Day logo

"I am Brigid"

We asked a number of Irish women who are trailblazers in their fields for their thoughts on St Brigid’s Day and what it should encapsulate in 2023 and into the future. Read what they told us.

St Brigid's Day 2023

Talks, events and festivals are taking place all around the world.
Zoë Conway and Louise Mulcahy in a still from "I am Brigid" video

St Brigid's Day around the world in 2023

This year marks the sixth global St Brigid’s Day programme celebrating the achievements of women.

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patch from Stockholm Common Threads

Common Threads

Textile artists from around the world were invited to contribute unique individual artworks for St Brigid's Day 2023.

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Rebel women

Events around Ireland

Ireland has an exciting programme of events lined up to celebrate St Brigid’s Day.

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Síofra O’Leary headshot

St Brigid's Day EU50 Lecture

Síofra O’Leary, President of the European Court of Human Rights, will deliver the second lecture in the Department’s EU50 lecture series. Livestream available.

Register here
Poet, performer and playwright, FELISPEAKS
Poet, performer and playwright, FELISPEAKS, still from "I am Brigid"
Louise Mulcahy

St Brigid's Day 2022

Port Naomh Bríd

To celebrate St. Brigid’s Day 2022, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the ITMA – Irish Traditional Music Archive, collaborated on three short online films.

St Brigid’s Jig/Port Naomh Bríd is composed by uillean piper Louise Mulcahy. The piece was performed by Louise Mulcahy, Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Síle Denvir.

>> Watch now

Caitlín Nic Gabhann

St Brigid's Day 2022

St Brigid’s Day

St Brigid’s Day is composed by Caitlín Nic Gabhann and features the concertina and dance.

The piece was performed by Louise Mulcahy, Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Síle Denvir.

>> Watch now

Síle Denvir playing the harp

St Brigid's Day 2022

Seo í Isteach mo Bhrídeog

Seo í Isteach mo Bhrídeog melody is composed and sung by Síle Denvir.

The piece was performed by Louise Mulcahy, Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Síle Denvir.

>> Watch now

Three poems for Brigid

In 2021, the Department of Foreign Affairs and MoLI - Museum of Literature Ireland, collaborated on ‘Three Poems for Brigid’, a series of three short online films.
Still from At Brigid's Well video

At Bridget's Well

At Bridget’s Well is written by poet Doireann Ní Ghríofa and read by Osaro Azams. Music by Syn, Full Moon, Gash Collective.

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still from i mbolc video

i mbolc

Written by Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe and read by Caitríona Ennis. Music by Dreamcycles - Abrasive Routes, Queeste.

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still from old biddy talk video

Old biddy talk

Old Biddy Talk is written by Paula Meehan and read by Ruth McCabe. Music by Dowry, In É.

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Celtic festival of Imbolc

Like many other feast days in the Irish calendar, Brigid predates Christianity. Her roots lie in the Celtic festival of Imbolc, the feast of the goddess Brigid, celebrated at least five millennia ago.

Healing, fire, and poetry

In old Irish, Imbolc means "in the belly", a reference to lambing and the renewal spring promises. Brigid was a triple goddess – of healing, fire, and poetry – and the saint who took her name, born in 450 AD, carried some of those same associations.

The patron saint of poets and midwives, by legend, she maintained a sacred fire by the monastery she founded in Kildare. Alongside St Patrick and St Columcille, she is one of Ireland’s three patron saints.

Anniversary of St Brigid

In 2024, Ireland will mark the 1,500th anniversary of St Brigid’s passing with a special programme of events nationwide. This year is also special, with St Brigid’s Day celebrated for the first time by a public holiday.