2024 HERSTORY LIGHT SHOWS

 Herstory ran the successful campaign to make Brigid’s Day Ireland’s new national holiday - the first in honour of a woman - and this year the spirited feminist movement returns with the stunning annual Herstory Light Shows, illuminating local landmarks throughout the Heart and West of Ireland.

This year’s theme is the Old Irish saying: "There’s room for everyone under Brigid’s cloak.

In these divisive times, St. Brigid calls us to remember our true humanity, bringing a message of inclusion, harmony, and healing. The Goddess Brigid was a pan-European Celtic goddess, honoured from Turkey to Spain. Saint Brigid ran a thriving monastery in Kildare and her true Christian message spread through pilgrimages far across Europe.

Herstory is delighted to partner with Kildare County Council, Creative Ireland and Dodeca for the wonderful Brigid 1500 Festival in 2024 in celebration of St. Brigid’s 1500 year anniversary.

Herstory Light Shows will illuminate iconic local landmarks across Kildare with spectacular new art inspired by St. Brigid and performances by fire-dancers on the 31st January and the 1st February 2024. The Kildare light shows will feature new art from Herstory’s open call inspired by St. Brigid’s wisdom and story. This year stunning art was sent from Ireland, Northern Ireland, USA, Canada, Germany and Great Britain. Wicklow Willow will also host family friendly Brigid Cross-making and Brat Bhride workshops in Newbridge and Clane. You can sign up for the workshops on the night.

KILDARE PROGRAMME

St. Brigid’s Eve, 31st January 2024

All events are free and open to the public

Newbridge Town Hall

5.30 - 9pm – Herstory Light Show

5.30 - 5.50pm - Fire-dancers performance
5.50 - 6.35pm - Wicklow Willow Workshop
6 - 6.30pm - Newbridge Gospel Choir


The Abbey in Clane

6 - 7.30pm - Herstory Light Show

6.30 - 7pm - Clane Musical Society

7.00 - 7.20pm - Fire-dancers performance

7.40 - 8.25pm - Wicklow Willow Workshop 

Athy Library

9 - 10.30pm - Herstory Light Show

9 - 9.20pm - Fire-dancers performance

KILDARE PROGRAMME

St. Brigid’s Day, 1st February 2024

Potato Market, Naas

5.30 - 8.15pm - Herstory Light Show
7 - 7.30pm: Fire-dancers performance

New Naas Library (Old Naas Town Hall) 

9 - 10.30pm - Herstory Light Show

HERSTORY LIGHT SHOW IN COUNTY CLARE

On Saturday 3rd February the illuminations journey to the West, spotlighting Clare artistic talent on a tour across the county in partnership with Clare County Council, Dodeca and Creative Ireland.

Clare Arts Officer Siobhán Mulcahy, says “Artists have a magical way of creating works of meaning that can bring light to communities and individuals. Herstory, working with Clare artists, will light up the skies in Doolin, Ennistymon and Bunratty as we welcome Springtime and recognise the many strengths of women throughout history. Clare Arts Office is proud to have commissioned the Herstory Education Trust to produce this spectacular artwork for St. Brigid’s Day, with the support of Creative Ireland.”

CLARE PROGRAMME

Saturday 3rd February

All events are free and open to the public 

5.30 - 6.30pm: Doonagore Castle, Doolin

7.30 - 8.30pm: Falls Hotel, Ennistymon with HUSH silent disco by Gilly Kelly Dunne

10 - 11pm: Bunratty Castle

The Herstory Education Trust commissioned the talented Clare duo, photographer Myriam Riand and conceptual artist Áine O’ Brien to create new photographic art inspired by Celtic goddesses Brigid and the Cailleach:

“Rising from the ashes of old Ireland and calling all women to join us in our noble quest of commanding our power and sovereignty. We present ‘Brigid Rising’ and ‘Calling in the Cailleach”

The artists reveal that “collaborating with HERSTORY has proven to be an enriching and empowering experience for both of us. As we engage in the creation of our art, which addresses the essence of Irish women, it becomes truly gratifying to witness the homage paid to St. Brigid as our matron deity. Through a process of profound ancestral introspection and capturing of presence, we collaboratively brought to life Brigid and The Cailleach. We rise with the depths of our desire to inspire truth.”

The Herstory Light Show will also spotlight award-winning Clare-based documentary filmmaker Dearbhla Glynn, who embodies Brigid's qualities as a champion for human rights and women's empowerment. Dearbhla has made several films in Palestine, Iraq, Sub-Saharan Africa and extensively in The Democratic Republic of the Congo. ‘Gaza-Post Operation Cast Lead’ won the grand prize at the ICCl Human Rights Film award in 2010. Recently she launched her new film FISTULA to make life better and safer for women giving birth and to prevent fistula from happening in the first place. 

Dearbhla says:” St Brigid resonates with me as I teach yoga which represents healing and embodiment, and a lot of my film work has been devoted to the protection of women and children and raising awareness towards human rights violations.”

Acclaimed local musicians Susan Quirke and Enda Gallery co-wrote and co-produced a new song ‘Ó a Bhríd’ together in the hills of Kilfenora, County Clare. Commenting on the song, Susan, who is also a meditation teacher and just home from Australia from touring with Xavier Rudd said: ‘We wanted to honour the spirit of Brigid and honour the land of County Clare and its connection with Brigid. We recorded the sound of the water pouring from St. Brigid’s well in Liscannor, to bring the soundscape of Clare into the fabric of the song itself. This is a gentle and simple song that brings the elements of Brigid’s symbolism such as fire, water, and the oak tree, into its mantra-like quality. It was a joy to create and record.’

Enda Gallery says: "In the spirit of St. Brigid's Day, we joined creative forces to craft a musical invocation that channels the strength, grace and wisdom of this remarkable woman. Our collaboration reflects the sacred balance of the masculine and feminine and the power of unity in creating meaningful art.”

The song Ó a Bhríd is available to download or stream for free via Susan Quirke's Spotify, Bandcamp and YouTube channels, and through SusanQuirke.com, EndaGallery.com and Herstory.ie

The illuminations will also showcase Susan’s powerful song ‘HOME’ and Enda’s collaboration with Tolü Makay in The Greatest Gift , both timely calls to remember our true humanity and the Irish spirit of hospitality, community and inclusion.

At the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon, local legend Gilly Kelly Dunne invites you to Hush Disco, an immersive listening and dancing experience where each participant wears their own headsets whilst responding to music inspired by the Goddess. 

Dodeca will continue the Herstory illuminations in Dublin every night from 5pm-4am throughout the month of February at South William St (Grogan’s) and Capel St (Opposite Panti Bar) in the city centre. 

Creative Director Melanie Lynch reveals: “In many ways Ireland is still catching up with the visionary Saint Brigid, 1500 years after she lived. Our collaborating artists embody Brigid’s qualities as activists who possess a rare authenticity and original voice in amplifying human rights, climate action and ancient Irish wisdom through their artistic creations. I’m in awe of the creative talent in Clare and the infectious spirit for collaboration and community.”