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.
"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
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.
Common Threads
Textile artists from around the world were invited to contribute unique individual artworks for St Brigid's Day 2023.
Events around Ireland
Ireland has an exciting programme of events lined up to celebrate St Brigid’s Day.
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.
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
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
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
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.
i mbolc
Written by Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe and read by Caitríona Ennis. Music by Dreamcycles - Abrasive Routes, Queeste.
Old biddy talk
Old Biddy Talk is written by Paula Meehan and read by Ruth McCabe. Music by Dowry, In É.
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.