Major cultural event in honour of St Brigid to take place in Kildare next year

Artists such as Una Healy and Nell Mescal are set to be in attendance.

We owe a lot to St Brigid, not the least of which is our new bank holiday, which we celebrated for the first time in 2023.

St Brigid’s Day occurs on February 1st, and was originally a pagan festival called Imbolc that signalled the beginning of spring (to all you naysayers who think spring begins in March, there’s the evidence that you’re mistaken).

Citizen’s Information says that the bank holiday for St Brigid’s Day will take place on the first Monday in February, except when February 1st falls on a Friday. In 2024 the bank holiday will be honoured on Monday February 6th, and there’s a huge cultural event taking place in Kildare to celebrate our favourite saint.

Brigid 1500 Festival

The Brigid 1500 festival programme for 2024 promises a diverse and spectacular calendar filled with culturally rich events taking place across Kildare. The festival celebrates and commemorates the extraordinary St Brigid and her enduring impact as we reach the 1500th anniversary of her passing.

The programme includes a special St Brigid’s day concert in collaboration with Hot Press which will take place in the Moat Theatre, St. David’s Church, and The Potato Market to honour the life of Brigid.

Artists confirmed to take part across the programme include Eleanor McEvoy, Moya Brennan of Clannad, Mary Coughlan, Gemma Hayes, Una Healy, The Henry Girls, Lisa Lambe and Nell Mescal, with many more to be announced.

Other events include light shows in Clane, Newbridge, and Athy, as well as fiery processional events to celebrate St Brigid in Maynooth and Kildare over the bank holiday weekend.

CEO of Kildare County Council Sonya Kavanagh said this of the St Brigid 1500 programme:

“The Brigid 1500 Programme that has been curated reflects the vibrant and diverse community of Kildare. We look forward to a calendar of events filled with cultural enrichment and we are inviting everyone to partake in the festivities, commemorating St. Brigid the woman, the life, and the legacy.”

The Brigid 1500 festival takes place between January 27th and February 6th – you can check out the full list of events on the website.

Header image via Julien Behal Photography

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